rafalosophy: the lab

eat out

2012-01-06T21:44:00.001-08:00

we recently visited downtown tijuana to pick up some tamales.
it was a national holiday (yeah, they have those in Mexico), so we had to venture out that way.
anytime you want some good tamales, good selection, and GREAT PRICE while traveling through "the city of tomorrow," you have to go to "la iglesia" to find 'em.
la iglesia is exactly what it claims to be: the church.
it's a beautifully constructed place of worship for the multitude (or "mass," hehe) of parishioners that congregate here regularly.

we definitely braved the parking, pick-pockets, police, and all of the other "p" words that'll make you shudder at the thought, and, in the end, had 20 tamales for 15 bucks.
now, THAT'S what winter in So Cal tastes like!
after everything, i bragged about the experience to another tijuana compatriot, and learned that there was, yet, an additional "p" that i had previously ignored.
prostitutes.
apparently, though the police are out in FORCE here, hoes is gonna hoe.

if you're hungry (and male) in TJ, get your tamale on just outside the church.
if you're hungry (and a chick) in TJ, dress decent, and watch out for the pick-pockets.

grub with a rub.
dig it.

no "ifs," "ands," or...

2010-10-22T12:30:00.001-07:00

he Bawled awl night

2007-05-30T22:11:00.001-07:00

It seems there's an energy drink available at, of all places, TARGET, for all that ails the common man.

Infused with the mystical magic of 'Guarana,' this canned treat gives you all of stuff you need to think about what you did, while giving you a boost of memory juice to try to figure out why you DIDN'T.

I read the back label... nothing yet on 'swelling feelings,' or 'angry disappointment.'

let's all grab a can and toast to possibilities! let's knock a few swigs back for the cool refreshment that is validation, 'cause it DOES exist! And let's now crack open a 48 pack for lost time! Blue Bawls,...

where were you in my teens...?

subtle rejection in a can. Dig it.

Fuelish Pranks

2006-08-26T15:51:00.000-07:00

Portland has its share of taggers.

This is a prime example of how defacing property can be fun.

Graffiti as a source of entertainment.

Dig it.

the place to bee

2006-04-17T12:38:00.000-07:00

While walking down to the waterfront in downtown Portland, Kat and i passed this little porta-party.

I felt an urge to leave some of my honey in the bucket, but there was a padlock on the door prohibiting me from doing so.

All things considered, this is still an interesting name for a company that supplies work-sites with portable pee and poo pots.

I got a good chuckle out of it, but HAVE to wonder what the motivation was.

Being able to laugh at life as it happens around you, and sharing it with someone you love.
Dig it.

What a Puget Sound's like

2006-03-31T12:54:00.000-08:00

My turn to wine

2006-03-29T15:47:00.000-08:00

I'm just saying....

Three-buck Chuck doesn't sound as good. Oregon doesn't charge sales tax, so it amounts to an additional 84 cents, or so, but this is a matter of principle.

It's principalities.

'sigh'

3-buck Chuck. Dig it.

Just Dropping By

2006-03-29T12:04:00.000-08:00

'Passing' through the vast metropolis that is Anderson, California, a thrift shop called Junk N' Treasures caught my eye.
I decided to 'drop' in, and noticed a sparsely enjoyed, always overlooked treat 'behind' the glass at the counter. I was looking for a snack to hold me over, since i was pooped from a long day of driving. Hopping out of my car was like squeezing out of my shell.
Though the Armadillo Droppings were enticing, it was always option number 2. I opted for some Junior Mints that had slipped between my bucket seat and the center console. Still, the vision of those armadil-licious nuggets still lingers:

Ahhhh.... The appetite quencher that could've been.

Let's toast to possibilities, and seeing new things.

Popping into shops in random cities to see what the locals consider 'junk' AND food. Dig it.

Child Support

2006-03-15T11:34:00.000-08:00

Every so often we're given a chance to indulge our sweet tooth while donating to an establishment that promotes unity and selflessmess in our youth.

The girl scouts have brought us, not only a place to dump our daughters in trustworthy hands, but also an opportunity to teach them values that they can carry and implement from the wilderness, to the workforce.
Not to mention, they have outfits that make appearances on older girls 'boy-scouting' at Halloween parties....

Buy a box, or two,....or twelve of your favorite tax write-off.

Girl Scout cookies as a diet-breaker. Dig it.

I make me an ash-hole

2006-02-28T09:31:00.000-08:00

Sitting at Bux last night, writing in the weather, found me without muse, and without an ashtray.

I went ahead and solved one of the predicaments using my venti Bux cup, and my leatherman tool.

The moral: sometimes you have to 'cut' the crap to make it work.

cheap date

2006-02-20T16:45:00.000-08:00

apparently certain bargain stores that advertise in the papers have discovered a new, more effective way of driving in business.
the buck-a-pop gods have decided that they can effectively market their merchandise by clustering their products' pictures in story format to sell to those lacking imagination, who, incidentally, have $3-$4 (plus applicable taxes) to spare.

who places two condoms ads side-by-side over oysters and a pregnancy test?!

a store that knows a good time doesn't have to break the bank, that's who.

and, oh the joy: i can still pick up that handy ratchet-screwdriver set, a four-pack of electrical tape, a jar of preserves, and a shasta pineapple 3-liter, while getting change back from my hamilton.

recession or not, i've never felt so alive.

hope your monday was shower-material.

tuesday is yours to own.

while away awhile

2005-12-12T14:17:00.000-08:00

so,..while swinging through Fremont, CA to pick up my uncle en route to shasta, i saw this restaurant.
i was only passing through to pick up my uncle, so i thought it was interesting to see that the local vietnemese had a sign reminding me of the amount of time i would not be staying.

Happy Monday!

Sold!!

2005-11-11T10:58:00.000-08:00

Yeah...
even eBay knows it.

A Long Quiche Goodnight

2005-11-08T10:14:00.000-08:00

So, i let it slip awhile back that i survive on a diet of eggs, cheese, milk, and bread.
It would seem Kat was listening.
Last night she invited me over, and to my surprise, there was a hot pan of homemade quiche waiting for me to devour.
Just. For. Me.
It was her first quiche EVER, and the best I've ever tasted.

Take notes, ladies.
Remember that the way to a man's heart IS through his stomach.

And "if you wanna know
if she loves you so,
it's in her quiche."
That's where it is.
Oh yeah.

Moving units

2005-11-05T11:57:00.000-08:00

So it's official.

I'm 'sayin' goodbye to Hollywood.'

On to the next dance....

...to The City Of Roses

2005-10-20T14:29:00.000-07:00

Momma went up north to spend some time with family.
She took this picture using her phone on the Willamette Highway (58) near Oakridge, OR.
She then proceded to rub it in my nose by MMSing the picture to me; so from her phone, to my phone, to your screen.

I miss four seasons....

Here's a little glimpse of what we're all missing.

Dig it.

Wine Ot?

2005-10-18T20:38:00.000-07:00

....so when you wanna crack open a bottle of '2 Buck Chuck's, and you realize you don't have a corkscrew: you improvise.

rafa: lost ta free

2005-10-18T12:09:00.000-07:00

Her name is Kathryn.

She shuts me up by saying what i'm thinking.

She makes me laugh.

She gives me time.

'Nuff said.

Happy Monday!!

2005-10-10T11:23:00.000-07:00

'Mommy! Mommy! I wanna slide down the Titanic! Can i?'

'Of course you can, Leo. Take your sister Kate with you.'

Out with the old, in with the Yu...

2005-10-03T14:34:00.000-07:00

Yu-caipa, that is.

I took a gig in Yucaipa that officially started today, and, of course, it's Bux for lunch.

This one's about a mile down the street, whereas my old lunch haunt (four years running) was about 6. Jurupa was my store, and will probably continue to be a stomping ground thanks to 'fantastic' company, but not during daylight.

So this is the new viewpoint. The view itself boasts a golf range net, a Mc Donald's, a new development of overpriced homes, and a series of hills that catch fire too often.

I can write here. They nailed my drink today. The shade is abundant.

Transition initiated, and complete.

You can stop reading now.....i'm starting to bore myself.

Happy Monday!!

I have yet to master Beta

2005-10-02T19:16:00.000-07:00

So i'm browsing through a thrift store in San Dog with Tawni (yesterday was her birthday), and i happened upon these little treasures.

For those unfamiliar, Beta was a video format released around the same time VHS was, back in the late 70s/early 80s. Many would argue that the Beta format was superior to VHS. I think it should've been strictly on the strength of its size. Whatever the specs were, VHS eventually outsold Beta, the machines claimed more titles, and was able to squeeze Beta out of the market.

I've discovered that there are still Beta afficionados, even today, though DVD has now replaced most AV media.

As you can see from the picture, someone with EXCELLENT taste has decided to donate their last grip of the movement that never was. I'm not too certain where these titles will find their home, but i can tell you that I'll be displaying a copy of Goonies in my place to show my support of simpler times, and fantastic imagination.

It's almost 7, and the weekend sun is making its way west, where weary souls await its warmth. I imagine Monday is starting somewhere. Though i have yet to discover what it will mean to me, I can tell you this: someone's waking to a Monday that will change their world forever.
My disappearing sun will bring someone love, and another heartache. It will be someone's last sunrise, and be burnt into another's life and mind as their first day of life. Someone will be fired, and another will start his professional career. Everything will happen tomorrow under the sun that just left my sight, while i sit still in today with my Beta cassette from yesterday.

I'm smiling about it, so, does anything else REALLY matter?

Yeah, I don't think so either.

A drip off the ol' block

2005-09-24T17:01:00.000-07:00

This is the new machine.

Monday morning:

After the usual thorough cleaning, and prepping (which includes grinding espresso beans, opening a new can of condensed milk, and finding another location for the espresso lamp), i fired the puppy up.

I haven't felt like such a rookie in a LONG time. Not only did my shots sit under the filter for about a full minute (which 'expires' them) but my steamed milk yielded NO FOAM, and the bottom of the mug held half of the syrups and powders i added UNMIXED.

Poop.

The shots themselves weren't bad, but a little weak. The problem with the milk seemed to be that it was boiling too quickly, which could mean that it either wasn't cold enough, or the pressure on the steam was too high. I spoke to a pro about it, and she suggested that i start steaming immediately after pouring the milk. And that i pour the milk immediately after taking it outta the fridge. I also put more grounds in the filter, and tampered them more. With the amount of pressure coming from the boiler, it made sense. My old machine's instructions specifically stated not to compress the grounds, so i hadn't been.

By Wednesday, i had the new-to-me machine figured out.

Apparently there are little tricks to brewing espresso that are machine specific. At any rate, it's turned out to be a well-spent $7.80.

Stop by for a jolt. If you like your drink, and your name is remembered, don't forget to tip your barista.

Make the weekend memorable.

Peace out, my ninjas.

Solvent as a solution

2005-09-21T15:02:00.000-07:00

So,...today i took my little foamy cup to the water cooler, filled up, and started sipping.
After a couple of sips, i looked around and realized that, for an office environment, we in the office don't talk by the water cooler enough.
And by enough, i mean AT ALL.
Typically, 'the water cooler' is a breeding ground for gossip, news, gab, banter, yack, yapping, and all miscellaneous jibber-jabber.
It's an excused short escape from your desk/workstation/cubicle, that allows your mind to clear, while keeping your body busy with an effortless task.

It's all of these things, quite simply, because it's necessary. Water is necessary. It's needed to live. This is precisely why we can excuse ourselves from work to get it.

Smoke breaks? Are according to taste, and are therefore unnecessary.
Coffee breaks? Are according to taste, and are therefore unnecessary.
Potty breaks? Should be used when absolutely necessary, as they can yield undesired results [ie: implied drug use, a medical condition, SMS (Small Bladder Syndrome - found mainly in women), etc.] if used too often. Because of this they're according to nature, and therefore, should be used with prudence.

But water,...water is liquid life. It's the earth's hydrate handshake of well-being.
When served with bread, it's all we need to live (in prison).

Next time you're in the office, stop by the water cooler, pour yourself a cup o' wet-wonder, and see what Janet thinks of your new boss. Find out why Brent didn't buy reduced-rate tickets to the company-sponsored Angels game. Make nice with the boss' son; he'll be your boss one day. Have fun with it: tell people, "This tastes funny," then make a face, to see if they make the same face as you or agree just to fit in.

Do yo' thing! Even if there isn't a water cooler, its equivalent is there. Find it and work it.
The days are too long, and the breaks are often the only thing we can look forward to.

It's "the water cooler."

Dig it.

On a role

2005-09-19T11:34:00.000-07:00

Okay,....since I've got this picture in my phone, and i LOVE bragging, here's what happened:

On Sunday, Tawni, my dad, and i went to the swap meet in Imperial Beach, and what do i see as i'm walking in? SNES games.
Used of course.
I flip through 'em, and lo and behold:
'Dear Diary,... JACKPOT!'

Truth is, I've already got Final Fantasy II and Secret Of Mana for SNES (but no SNES). The only reason i collect these titles now is for nostalgia.

I still remember when these games DEFINED my nerddom.
Ah....yesteryear.

Either way, i picked them both up for $15.
Now all i need to complete my SNES RPG collection is Chrono Trigger.
I'm looking to find it for under 10 bucks.

Aside from the games, i also picked up:
One Donavon Frankenreiter CD (Self Titled) -$1.00
One The Postal Service CD ("Give Up") -$1.00
One Switchfoot CD ("The Beautiful Letdown") -Free w/purchase of above 2.
One Dave Matthews Band CD (Crash) -$0.50
&
One espresso machine (possible lamp, if it doesn't work) -$7.80

Swap meet shopping.

Dig it.

Alcohocolates

2005-09-17T19:58:00.000-07:00

Can i use 'alcohocolates?'

Chocohols?

Thunder Turds? . . . .

It's chocolate covered Cuervo.Bad experiences aside, it's nice to come home and find that my family's still feeding their sweet-teeth.

I don't imagine this particular tequila experience is gonna end with puke over the neighbor's fence.

Pick your favorite liquor, and i'm certain you can find it somewhere surrounded by chocolate.
Either way,...great with friends, family, your friend's family, your family's friends,... or utterly and bitterly alone.

Dig it.

Joopers Croopers!

2005-09-13T22:25:00.000-07:00

This one's for Kat.

Apparently, rubbing the 'e's off of Tras' Jeep reveals two 'o'-shaped embossments.

Long limp the Joop!!

Open mics and minds

2005-09-12T23:22:00.000-07:00

tonight was my first open mic in riverside.

it was pretty fun and exciting.

i want to thank Mandy, jeffcarter.net, and my manager/roadie Iceman 'Erik' Baggins for their support and showing up.

Mobile Home

2005-09-10T00:41:00.000-07:00

Tonight was a refreshing reversion of pace.
I haven't been to Bux in SB in quite awhile. On a whim i swung by. I was pleasantly surprised, yet not stunned, to find Juanito! sittin' outside at our old table as i pulled up.
We enjoyed a drink, a smoke, a chuckle (at someone else's expense), and cool conversation.

All standard practice.

It's late now, and i'm the only dude left in this old familiar scene. The idea that any night can be great, even without planning, will definitely suffice in keeping me company.

I'll be writing 'til I've said everything i need to.

The weekend begins now.

He loves it when the son goes down...

2005-09-08T20:54:00.000-07:00

It's a real thriller.

You can't beat it.

But seriously. Sunset is nature's reward for gettin' through the long day.

Become distracted, and miss something spectacular.

Alright....

2005-09-07T18:54:00.000-07:00

Anybody else suddenly feel the urge to build a FORT??

Dishes just like Mission: In-pots-a-bowl

2005-09-05T17:01:00.000-07:00

I haven't done my dishes in, like, for-frickin'-EVER.
My guppy, Little Johnny Hitler (no relation), was swimmin' around as if to say, 'Waschen sie die töpfer, sie fauler bastard!'
I wasn't in the mood to be swam at like that, so i busted out the soap, and the rest is history.

The moral: fish can't talk.

Where you go VS What you get

2005-09-04T20:17:00.000-07:00

GFE Loma Linda.
I got together here with Mandy just a few days ago, and felt like i was revisiting an old friend.
It wasn't that i'd been here before, but i was comfy enough that i could think, and that's just like home.

I must admit, one of the gifts of NOT going to Bux is the opportunity to see different people, and hear different music.
Just now i was given Matchbox 20, Dido, and Creed back to back to back. These acts take me back to so many different places in time, it'd be interesting to pin them down long enough to map out the 'where's.
Bux plays their HearMusic artist on the XM nonstop, and though most are great musicians, they tend to keep each experience as an echo to the one that preceded it.

Tonight, GFE'll be open 'til 11, so i think i may just close the place down.

Let's see if inspiration hits before i'm tempted to abandon my purpose, and sing along with nostalgia instead.

If it happens, please don't complain if i'm out of tune.
I'm thinking about coming back.

Gotta run.
Hootie's "Let Her Cry" just started....

Farbucks

2005-08-28T19:58:00.000-07:00

Siglo XX means "20 Style." i imagine it's referring to the century we just 'graduated' from.

this makes more sense, slightly, when i consider that their slogan is: "not just a cafe. a culture."

when i visit mexico, this is where i come to smoke indoors, guzzle "mocajeta"s (mochas smothered in cajeta, a mexican caramel), and chat, chat, chat.

dig it.

Don't get caught slippin'

2005-08-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

Kobey's Swap Meet....
make no mistake: trekkies run this bitch.

Cod up in the moment...

2005-08-26T23:56:00.000-07:00

and i suppose if it ceased its spew, it'd be 'a fish out of water?'
I gotta million of 'em, folks. i'll be here all weekend....
be sure to try the lobster in the hotel restaurant.

juanito! and i have just arrived at the The Living Room located near SDSU on El Cajon Blvd. It is indeed my favorite coffee shop in San Dog. here is where i first developed my attachment to coffee, talk, smoking for pleasure, and peace.

i've got years of history here.

when you're in San Dog, swing by and try their food menu. On Sundays, they have a delicious breakfast buffet that boasts pancakes, eggs, potatoes, sausage, bacon, oj, milk, and so much frickin' more.....

visit it.

if you tell them i sent you, they'll give you a free smile.

No joke....

2005-08-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

....somehow i always imagined hell would be hotter.
life's just full of surprises.

Negative to a positive....

2005-08-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

verse 3 of 'the rules'?
complete.
now it's on to the next dance....

Roundin' out the eve...

2005-08-23T22:41:00.000-07:00

pool club keeps me grounded.
drunk.
whatever.
and if Guinness were a chick, i'd marry it.
i'll regret saying that tomorrow.....

There ain't no fuchsia in your front-end

2005-08-23T17:32:00.000-07:00

....or at least there shouldn't be.

i'm sorry, but this is just so many coats of wrong.

Not your typical Monday night

2005-08-22T20:56:00.000-07:00

i went to check out vanessa jourdan at the coffee depot at the riverside plaza tonight. paul introduced me to her (& her music) about two years ago, i dug the music, but had forgotten how much until now. great li'l concert.
cozy.
towards the end, she did a celine dion that could put celine outta business.
i'd love to see that.
totally dug the show. i'm sure i'll see her again.

check her out at vanessajourdan.com to find out where you can see her.
if she entertains you, buy a cd. in other words,...bring money, 'cause it's a great show.
-rafalosophy

Sing along if you want....

2005-08-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

you can't argue with good music.
foo brings it, and dave grohl drives.

perfect way to leave san dog after an terrific weekend.