Somah's Blog

Things To Do on A Scorcher

We've been experiencing a heat wave here in Southern California for the past three days (Friday, Saturday and today, Sunday.) It's been muggy and hot, which is atypical for this part of the country at this time of year. The funny thing is, it's only today that I'm starting to feel the heat, as it were, and that's because I've run out of ideas of what to do on a scorcher!

I was at work on Friday, so I spent my day in an air-conditioned environment till the late afternoon and that's when the heat subsided considerably. I didn't quite experience the heat that day.

Saturday was "me" day, so I got a mani and pedi, shopped at the Beverly Center for most of the afternoon (I would have normally gone to The Grove, but it was too hot to be at an outside mall,) and then went out for Happy Hour and dinner with friends. I basically spent all day indoors, again.

It's today (Sunday) that I don't know what to do! I have no friends that live nearby with a pool and a BBQ. I don't feel like going to see a movie and I don't want to go to the beach since it's too damn hot. I'm also not in a cultural or intellectual mood, so no library, museum or bookstore outing is going to do. Later today I'm going to the Hollywood Bowl with friends, so that should be fun. But till then, what can one do on a scorcher when nothing comes to mind?

I know! Stay home and blog about it :P No, seriously. What does one do? Any ideas?

Eleven Restaurant in West Hollywood

Eleven 11 is my new favorite hot spot in West Hollywood, especially for Happy Hour on Fridays. It's spacious, mellow and not crazy loud like the Abbey. For Happy Hour, the drinks and appetizers are 2-for-1, and the drinks are strong. The crowd is chic and mostly locals.

The only days there that weren't for me were Sundays. They apparently have a T-dance on Sundays and that entails loud, thudding music and the crowd that such noise attracts. Let's just say that the mellow, fun bar turns into an Abbey-on-Steroids, which is not pretty. So if you want to chill out and have a conversation with a friend, don't go to Eleven on Sundays.

I normally like to go to Trunks, Fiesta Cantina or the Mother Load on Sundays. Of course, I have to stop at the Abbey before heading home, but not for more than half an hour tops. Sundays are hard in West Hollywood because the place gets overcrowded and overwhelming. I need to start going to the theater on Sunday afternoons instead of hitting the bars. Hmm, I think I might be onto something there!

Gay Marriage is Legal in California

Finally, same-sex couples that choose to tie the knot are now able to do so in the great State of California. Of course, gay marriage opponents (or homophobes) have succeeded in adding a measure to the November ballot that would amend the State's constitution to define marriage to be strictly between a man and a woman. Now it's up to the voters to decide whether or not their compatriots have a right to pursue their happiness, which is one of the unalienable rights granted to them by the Constitution.

The last survey I read suggested that a bit over half of all Californians rejected a constitution amendment that bans gay marriage. That's great news and shows how far the State has come in the tolerance department. Having said that, I believe we cannot put the fate of others in the hands of voters and call that Democracy. If we had put the fate of African-Americans in the hands of the voters back in the 60's, Black folks would still be treated as second-class citizens today.

The judges have spoken and they law is on the gays' side. Voters cannot decide the fate of a minority because the mob mentality will take over and almost always the minority ends up getting victimized .. again.

Let the gays get married and let's move on to more important, rather urgent, issues like the devalued dollar and the crumbling economy. Now those are issues that the American voters have a chance to correct come November and I pray to God that we collectively make the right choice since we failed to do so back in 2004 and 2000. With a vote track record like this, the only thing I can trust the voters with is American Idol.

Outfest 2008 is on July 9-21

It's this time of year again when Los Angeles sparkles with LGBT stars and fans celebrating the LGBT achievement in film. Outfest, The Los Angeles Gay and LEsbian Film Festival, is a definite highlight of the summer and I can hardly wait for the opening night!

I certainly hope to see some Middle Eastern LGBT films represented this year. Israel does a good job in producing several of these a year, but I'm hoping to see some films from Egypt, Lebanon or Morocco this year. I do understand the difficulties, which oftentimes have mortal consequences, to produce such films in those countries, but I have high hopes for the incredible talents that are yearning to have their voices heard and visions seen to overcome those obstacles and blow us away with one masterpiece after another.

Battlestar Galactica: Earth is Frakked!

"It Has Happened Before, It Will Happen Again"

I had the honor to see the mid-season finale three days ago at the ArcLight with hardcore fans and some cast (President Roslin, Starbuck and No. 6 were there) and crew (David Weddle, Ron Moore and Michael Nankin and Paul Leonard.) I was then invited to see the episode again at the Universal lot in North Hollywood. I was frakking stoked!

The finale was aptly titled, "Revealed," as the final four Cylons were outed and Earth was found. Yes, it was found alright. Found to be a frakking wasteland, which again "reveals" the relative timeline in which these events are occurring. They're probably happening in the very far future after humanity destroys itself here on Earth and decide to abandon the planet and search for a new home.

The creators of this show never cease to amaze me. This has got to be the most fascinating show even written.

So what do you think will happen in the remaining 8 episodes? Will the Cylons and Humans live peacefully with each other and rebuild Earth? Who will the final Cylon be? Do you think it's Starbuck's mom?

Too many questions and too long of a wait :(

I'm Back!

It's been a long time coming but I still cannot promise you that I'll be blogging everyday. My schedule is still hectic and my life is super busy, but I missed you guys and I just couldn't bear staying away any longer :)

Lots has happened in my life since we last synced up. I now have a new job, a new car, a fitter body, but I still have the same headstrong opinions, zeal for life, and devoted Habibi Bear. He misses you too!

I can't wait to dive right in. Barack Obama for President? Hell yeah! Is Battlestar Galactica frakking awesome? Gods damn it, you better believe it! Is IE still the worst browser in the world? Umm, yeah! Gay marriage anyone? Hell yeah!!!

It's good to be back, kids :)