Phenomenal Woman, That's Me

Just look at that swagger...

Dr. Maya Angelou passed away today, and the world has lost a fierce visionary who taught through expressive prose and poetry, and her rights activism, that love, kindness and perseverance were the way. When I think of Maya Angelou, defining themes of rising above and blazing forth flutter into my consciousness and I feel inspired to be a phenomenal woman, too:

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

-- Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

Mariachi Serenade

What better way to cap off Saturday than with a mariachi serenade? These guys surprised us with spirited Mexican folk music at a birthday pool party I went to this weekend. Sheer fun, they were!

The highlight of the party, they played beloved sing-alongs from icons like Vicente Fernandez as everyone sang together in Spanish and smiled, and danced!

I felt far, far away from L.A, and loved the celebratory journey that these talented musicians took us on.

Guns & Villains

Date Night doesn't exactly scream guns and villains, but that's how it went down last Wednesday.

Alejandro and I went downtown, to have a fun night at the most typical of after-work spots -- ya know, the Los Angeles Gun Club. It was his idea. I was down for adventure.

I was nervous, as I had never seen a gun -- let alone hold one. After getting a lay of the land from the enthusiastic employee at the counter, Alejandro chose an Israeli army gun and a precise numbered target, me an old-school revolver and a cute zombie sheet. Inside the shooting range, Alejandro was setting up our booth as fear almost nicked my face -- bullet shells flew back toward me as guys nearby fired away like it was a work day from hell. The shrill gun sounds were trumped in scariness only by the after-shock vibrations that ripple through a room after a gun has been fired.

When it was my turn to grab the revolver and aim for Mr. Zombie, a wave of intense fear flooded me and I froze. I must have stood in the booth for almost 10 minutes, unable to place my finger on the trigger even after holding the gun properly and cocking it back like a (sort of) pro. Alejandro was patient, reassuring me that I could do it, telling me I had this.

And as it sometimes happens, a wave of total calm suddenly rushed over me, displacing the wave of fear. I widened my stance and straightened my arms to fire my very first shot. A few rounds later I had to say, it wasn't near as scary as I had imagined... I ended up having a lot of fun!

After the gun club, we ventured over to a bohemian-style outdoor tavern in the nearby Arts District to end the night in fitting form -- with a nightcap at Villains Tavern as live blues music rumbled through the crisp night air.

4, 3, 2, 1...

Success!

Partners in crime

Like a boss (ok, sort of)!

Victory drink at Villains Tavern!