Shoes Get Worn

Under Water Videos

2009-04-02T10:47:00.000-07:00

Ive been busy with music. Clementine, my roomate, friend, and also a professional Producer made some simple videos of me playing in my bedroom. You can also view these at my myspace.com/UnderWatertastic.

Under the Knife

2009-03-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

i took my Electric Uke (Shiela) into the guitar doctor today. There she is, sedated and ready for soldering. Looks like the preamp for the headphone is broken, so he's going to rewire it so it outputs once again. AND THEN ill be standing and playing, plugged-in with the best of em!

Dinner with World Travelers

2009-03-19T01:41:00.001-07:00

Morgan is back in town! he's been traveling around asia for about 2 years. Him and Clem are like little peas in a pod... so nice to see old friends. The three of us used to live together in the Haight in San Fran like 3 years ago. Now we're all living together again in the North Berkeley hills. :)

Open Mic at Beckett's

2009-03-19T01:38:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patty's!

2009-03-19T01:35:00.000-07:00

Hanging at the house with friends. Terrific St. patty's and i ended it by passing out on the floor of my room, wrecked and happy.

delicious breakfast

2009-03-19T01:32:00.000-07:00

its my favorite meal

The Machine

2009-03-18T00:23:00.001-07:00

my lovely music makeing machine. The Wee Tascam.

Breakfast at 2:15pm

2009-03-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

The Wee Plearn

2009-03-17T18:06:00.000-07:00

Monday Night Thai in Berkeley

They Live

2009-03-15T21:59:00.000-07:00

Has anyone ever seen this movie? Honestly, why have i never heard of this movie? people with crazy skeleton faces? Enchanted sunglasses? OBEY!?
Also it stars Rowdy Roddy Piper. yeah, i said it.

Harbin Hot Springs

2009-03-15T21:42:00.000-07:00

Meditative Weekend north of Berkeley, past Napa; went with my roommated Gabe and Clem and a new friend Kayla. HotSpring Spa Camping Retreat.

Open Mics

2009-03-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

Ive been keeping very busy and the last two nights i sang a couple tunes at the Starry Plough and at Missouri Lounge. It makes me feel magical... and also the beer helps too.

Riding in San Fran

2009-03-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

Took a little trip to San Fran today. Found the Port of San Francisco and the Ferry Building. Then my bike wheeel busted--the barrings inside went all a-whack. Got it fixed in a pinch sincce there is a bike shop on every damn corner here. Its nice to ride in the city, but Market street is a beast and im afraid ever since Clem almost died.

Open Mic at Blake's on Telegraph

2009-03-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

I finally found an open Mic! Everyone was good-- it was a surprise as most open mics are at little sprinkled with some beginners... its a bit initimidating but at least i did it! It will only help me improve right? Myspace.com/UnderWaterTastic

Cheese

2009-03-10T12:07:00.000-07:00

I found an extensive cheese shop. Above is Camambert and Formambert and an avocado. These will be gone in one day.

This is where i will be spending my Saturdays.

The Truffle Shuffle

2009-03-10T12:04:00.000-07:00

I haven't seen Goonies in quite some time. i was actually convinced that i didnt like the movie. But i was bored and watched it at Rasty's house, and man i dont remember this movie at all! Did you know it starts with a crazy car chase? The ends up on a beach? The only thing i do remember is gold: Truffle Shuffle... forever seared into my memory banks. Data is also the cutest little character ever. Can we also just talk about the cover to the DVD? its just weird, and that's all i have to say.

Weekend Trek

2009-03-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

We rode to the garden store and then realized you cant ride back wth a 10 lbs. bag of compost... we we walked back through the town of albany and found many exciting adventures along the way.

Buddha's Hand

Turkish Coffee! Yum
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Secret pathway to Arlington Hill

Roomates Milling in the Kitchen

2009-03-09T15:13:00.000-07:00

Clem and Tyson

Having a Swell time in Berkeley

2009-03-09T15:12:00.000-07:00

The Loft at the Lodge

2009-03-07T00:49:00.001-08:00

Lemons

2009-03-07T00:45:00.000-08:00

Gabe is making a photo series- people eating lemons.
The roommates participated.

The Local Pub.

2009-03-07T00:37:00.000-08:00

Found It.

PS A choir was having drinks there tonight and they would sporadically break into crazy latin songs. Not bad.

Hawaiian Food

2009-03-06T12:39:00.001-08:00

Below are pics of my new town Berkeley-- waiting for clem to get off the BART. While i was wiating i spotted a HAWAIIAN FOOD JOINT! called Alohana (not a real word). We hit that up after the BBall game and my body cried with excitment. BBQ Chicken, rice, macaroni salad, cabbage... clem got Kalua Pork and we decided we'll have to bury a pig in the yard one of these days.

Cal State Girls Basketball and the Screaming Bees

2009-03-06T12:19:00.000-08:00

I wish i had a zoom on my iphone, but i dont, so let me paint you a picture.
I went to the Cal Girls BBall game last night with my darling clementine. i was baked so it was fun. There were so many weird things i just couldn't understand:

1. The Band had choreographed dance moves to the songs: but every section was doing something different. Maybe they are used to playing seperately? Or separated by large distance so no one would notice? Anyhoo, every section, like the trumpets, percussion, flutes, all had different moves. Lets get this together shall we?

2. The Mascot? What? Now that i think of it, i dont know who the group of about fifty kids were who were standing next to the mascot... they were wearing blue and yellow striped shirts... and the actual mascot was some kind of oversized animal, but what? So at first i thought they were Cal State MIGHTY BEES! Or the VICIOUS CHARLIE BROWNS! It turns out they are the bears. Ok, what?

3. The Screaming.
Anytime the other team had the ball and were trying to score, all the striped bees starting moaning. all in differnt notes, absolute cacophony. Like really bad to listen to crazy dischordant moaning. The audience would do it to. Some kind of defense mechanism. It made me uneasy.

4. Really though, who are these bee kids? They're not the band, or the cheerleaders... one guy had a big flag he was waving. Huh. i guess i wasn't paying attention. Maybe they just loooove basketball.

5. Lastly a group of pledges (im assuming) came to the game without shirts, and letters on their chest spelling "Go California Bears !!" they looked like they were from the 70s-- all of their pants were tight. Funny hipsters.

Oh, by the way, the girls lost. Oh wells.

Marcus is my brother, and He's damn famous!

2009-03-05T14:22:00.001-08:00

My brother in a magazine, we just happened to be flipping through! So buff! He also was invited to compete in the Pipline Masters!!!! HOLY CRAP! That's Marcus Hickman: write it down

First Night out In downtown Berkeley

2009-03-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

Microbrewery Jupiter. I drank the House Honey Wheat.
It tasted like a sundae topping.

That's my new roommate and my long-time friend, Clementine. She will be making an appearance on this blog. Just think of her as the new Kristin.

:D

First Pictures

2009-03-04T17:50:00.000-08:00

My new crib is exactly what i wanted it to be: chill, relax, surrounded by trees and the sound of a river.

The pic of the view sucks, but from up here you can see all the way San Fran and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Animal

2009-03-04T16:33:00.001-08:00

Fois Gras, Pork Belly, Christmas Duck, Fried Quail, Grits, Donuts, Homemade marshmellow
Delicious. Delicious. Delicious. Delicious
one of the best new restaurants in LA and i got to eat there with the chef. Swank.

Last Night in the land of Entertainers

2009-03-04T16:18:00.000-08:00

My favorite dish in all of LA... Kimchi Fried Rice at the Prince. I enjoyed it with friends.

And then i drove 6 hours to arrive in Berkeley, CA at 4am. Surprise!

Raining in Los Angeles Today

2009-03-02T15:17:00.000-08:00

Nisla.com

2009-03-02T15:06:00.000-08:00

My mom is a really amazing painter. Nisla.Com

People Everywhere Are Sick

2009-03-02T14:27:00.000-08:00

Latvian Liquor

2009-03-02T14:24:00.000-08:00

I brought home a small bottle of Balzam ( i think that's what its called)-- the national liquor of Latvia. See results below.

In A Pickle

2009-03-01T14:58:00.000-08:00

Last night i was in a car and we parked on a hill. it was parked and off. While we chatted on the street the car started rolling down the hill. This was a steeep hill and that fucker started flying (my memory may be exaggerated). It totally smashed into a parked car down hill a ways.

By some miracle no one was decapitated or run over. And the parked car that got a little rear ending wasn't dented... not even a little. Tiny, incremental damage on the front of the other.
So weird. The emergency break was on too. Whaa?

Funniest thing ive seen in quite some time.

An Ode to My Mother

2009-03-01T14:55:00.000-08:00

So i am no longer traveling the globe (well, temporarily). This was why i started this whole blog to begin with, and its been so nice to know a lot of people were checking in on me. So that was that.

But my mom got mad at me and told me i need to keep her updated on life so here the blog continues and perhaps there will be something interesting to talk about soon.

Well, i am moving to Berkley, CA for a couple months, so that's something new. Stay tuned. Funny things are always happening.

-Erin

Action Shots

2009-03-01T14:51:00.001-08:00

All the photos are blurry, but it makes the experience seem edgy.

I bought a bike

2009-02-28T17:20:00.000-08:00

Action shots to come

And it was so nice to be reintroduced to unexplainable LA traffic. Kisses Los Angeles!

I like Bikes

2009-02-28T17:11:00.000-08:00

I landed at LAX airport at 8:30pm. I was whisked hurriedly to echo park; arriving at 9:15pm (abouts). There, a little cruiser was awaiting. At 9:30pm we rode from Echo Park up to Los Felliz Rite Aid and met there a nice collection of cyclists. We rode out at 10:30 and all rode around the little city.
around 12pm the cops came around with the helicopter and the fancy SUV police cars and it was amazing how quickly the group thinned, people darting onto little streets to their next drunken desination. So we kept going up Glendale when they made a u-turn and rode straight up hill for half the ride home. The other half was down hill.

Riding next to the LA river

there's something there i promise

Fishermen

2009-02-18T09:15:00.000-08:00

In Latvia, our hotel was right by a little river leading to the ocean. On side of the bridge, it was a fast moving water, but on the other side of the bridge, parts of the river were frozen over. just PARTS. Would you go walking out onto that ice? Most peple would say no. Most people would just laugh. BUT what if you were drunk on Vodka, and only in town for one month out of the year--the only time you can fish a particular, tiny little fish in this one river? Then you wuld have a party on the ice... for days. Little lanterns, lounge chairs, poking holes in the ice with whatever you can find... fishing... oh and being drunk on Vodka. I am told these are not Latvians, but a bunch of Lithuanians.
Crazy Eastern Europers.

Bobsledding

2009-02-18T09:13:00.001-08:00

I got to BOBSLED. TOTALLY ADDICTIVE. Really fast and scary and awesome. All i have is a pic of a third of the track... but i promise i was there, i totally Bobsledded in Latvia. Check!

Ex Soviet State Latvia

2009-02-18T09:09:00.000-08:00

So i never posted everything there was about Riga. I finally went into the city and took some pictures from my window. Later, i partook in Latvia's best beer and Latvia's national liquor with is totally indescribable, black, herby sort of drink.

Virgin American

2009-02-18T08:57:00.000-08:00

Woah. This must be a new airline (or just new-to-me maybe).
I walked in to what i thought was the airplane, but turned out to be a crazy techno club with new-fangled ideas of service, electronic music above, and black-lights, flourescent, and pink lights everywhere. They dont bring you food or drinks, no-no, there's a call button for everything.

Also, they have FREE WIFI throughout the plane... so yeah... that's kind of amazing. the seats were spacious and the entertainment system seemed really cool except i slept the whole fight... so maybe on my way back. Did i mention that you can also IM other people on the plane? hook it up mile high club!

Massachusetts

2009-02-18T08:55:00.001-08:00

I have arrived! Visiting the Mother and Sister out here on the east coast where its snowy and cold and cozy and i plan on sleeping for a week, its going to be just great.

Los Angeles

2009-02-18T08:51:00.000-08:00

hey

So my world-traveling with GHI is over. I returned to LA where it ws nothing by non-stop fun and debauchery. I didnt take a lot of pics... but below is a pic of the dodgeball game i watched (Kristin's team "the Whorriors" are like number one).

Also, went to a drive-in with Elena and Clem, and managed to pass out through the entire movie... but its ok... i needed a nap.

Montpelier

2009-02-05T01:36:00.000-08:00

I have not posted about Montpelier. As some of you know, i had to drive the rental cars from Paris, France to Barcelona, Spain. It was a two day drive, and on the way we stayed in Montpelier, France... just by the border of France and Spain. It was a total surprise and gorgeous and quiet and old. There was this Promenade/ Garden/ Square in the middle of town where kids were playing frisbee, and mothers were walking with their babies, and teenagers were practicing their circus tricks (i dont know why, but there were jugglers and dancers and things.)

amazing little ancient mountain town.

Riga... oh Riga

2009-02-04T12:34:00.000-08:00

Riga is the main city we flew into. I got to spend an entire day at the airport by myself. Lucky Me! It wasn't so bad... luckily there was a photobooth at the airport (random i know). if you know me, you know it was really hard for me not to just stay in that photobooth all day long and take picture after picture. Instead i took just two sets of me doing Latvia things... like drinking Latvian water... reading a Latvian magazine... being bundled up because its cold as ice here! no really, its been negative degrees celcius everyday, which is below freezing and i think i got some frost bite on my thumb (poor little thumb).

LATVIA

2009-02-04T12:22:00.000-08:00

Where's Latvia you ask? Well! Here's a map. The coldest and creepiest location yet!

Im sorry My friends, its been too Long

2009-02-04T12:18:00.000-08:00

Hello out there!

I know the time between posts is getting longer and longer. Truthfully, the work has been getting harder and harder, the hours longer and longer. AND NOW ITS ENDING! that's right... im officially at the last location of season 1. WOAH! what a trip. Ive been so many cool places, and its really been life changing. Thanks to everyone for keeping up and staying in touch with your comments and phone calls. kisses to all of you.

So have you been watching the show? i believe you can catch it online at Scifi.com... just follow the Ghost hunters International link. I have only seen one or two episodes because it doesn't air anywhere we are... but what i have seen is absolutely fantastic and scary and spooky and definitely worth watching. Everyone who works on this show does an amazing job and its really one of the best experiences of my life.

Ill be galavanting around the states come middle of Feb... be sure to drop me an email if you like. Erinhickman@rocketmail.com

-Erin

I MADE IT! THE EIFFEL TOWER!!

2009-01-23T12:58:00.000-08:00

Catacombs

2009-01-23T12:51:00.000-08:00

In the 18th century, Paris decided they were running out of places to build, so they emptied out all of the cemeteries and stacked the bones below the surface of the earth in the catacombs. The catacombs themsevles are pretty increadible... basically, way back in Pangea days, France was underwater. The ground below the dirt is all ocean bed. There are even little tiny crustacious shells and fossils. Below Paris now they have mines out all these tunnels... which were turned into the catacombs, and also used for other things like growing mushrooms and potatoes and endives. The large blocks that they cut out to make these tunnels are the stones used to build the city itself, like the churches and castles etc.

Before you enter the catacombs there is a sign that says in latin "You are now entering the Empire of death." then you walk through tunnel after tunnel of stacked bones of old aristocratic Parisians.

PARIS!

2009-01-23T12:46:00.000-08:00

Im in Paris

2009-01-22T12:34:00.000-08:00

Been here for like a week. Cant post any photos cause i havent been anywhere. Just work work work, all ive seen in the inside of the hotel and the inside of the wine bottle. This is our last night, and im waiting to see if others want to go and see the eiffel tower... even if it is at night ... i have to right? I mean ITS PARIS! and so far, its a pretty amazing city. The french are nice.

600 year old Tree

2009-01-22T12:30:00.001-08:00

They brought it over from the CRUSADES. The damn Crusades! They planted it in Bordeaux and here it is beautiful and magnificent.

Dinner at the Chateau

2009-01-22T12:25:00.001-08:00

Nancy cooked a huge meal for everyone. I miss sitting at a table and eating a real meal. We just spend all our times in Hotels and Bars. It almost made me cry it was so damn delicious and homey. It was in a 600 year old Chateau in Wine-country with a fireplace and... you know... ghosts!

Castle Walls

2009-01-22T12:23:00.001-08:00

We stayed in town call Cadillac. Chateau Du Cadillac. Back in the day it was a little town inside of castle walls, with the Castle in the center. The Walls are still there surriounding the town.

Stop?

2009-01-22T12:20:00.000-08:00

Why are all the Stop signs in spain in English? Shouldn't they say alto or something? Curious...

Inaguration

2009-01-20T08:56:00.001-08:00

I am in a hotel in Paris... the bar is covered in little American Flags... watching Aretha Franklin sing "America The Beautiful"... Obama soon to be president.
Hurray

by the way... did you knwo France and America are old friends? its true. I just want to say that all the people ive met here in France are lovely, helpful, friendly and not like the stereotype at all.

Beautiful Bordeaux

2009-01-19T07:49:00.001-08:00

one of the oldest wine countries in the entire world. Bordeaux, France. absolutely stunning despite the gloomy weather. I ate cheese and drank wine that is the most amazing ive ever had. Oh man, and i thought Spain wine was a killer!! The Food The Wine The Cheese the beautiful people, the vineyards, man everything about France was just as i imagined it: romantic and beautiful in that aching sort of way.

Im In France. Been here for like a week. Thought you might like to know.

2009-01-19T07:35:00.000-08:00

Pulp Fiction

2009-01-13T18:55:00.001-08:00

Royale with Cheese. That's right. It exists and i ate it. I also put mayo on my fries. What's up john Travolta!

Pretty Little Fishies

2009-01-10T05:51:00.000-08:00

We are outside of Barcelona in a little town called Sarria De Ter. Its a sleepy little town. We are close to France and Andorra so people speak a little French and a little Spanish. Im going to miss Spanish, its such a nice little language and i was just getting used to it again. French seems daunting. Par Le Vu Ingles?

My Family

2009-01-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

I just found this pic on my desktop. I love my family, they are so damn cute. That's my mom, the famous amazing Painter Nisla; My brother, Marcus, the professional world-class surfer; and my siser, Amber, the amazing and beautiful designer/architect/graphic designer. Oh and im in there too.

Vino

2009-01-08T16:49:00.000-08:00

I like Wine. Ive been drinking it every night. Spanish wine, to be sure. I dont think ive had one beer. Oh, beer, please dont be mad, but sometimes we grow up and have friends on the road who only drink wine, and so we have to try new things. Its not you, its me. But lets be honest: when was the last time someone got a case of "wine-belly." Its for the best.

Spain Countryside

2009-01-08T08:25:00.000-08:00

Here are some pretty pics from a small Spanish town called San Martin de Valdeiglasias. I feel like the old towns here remind me more of what i think Spain should be like. Old and small, narrow streets, and old ladies walking slowly, and restaurants full of cigarette smoke. Im also continuing my knowledge of the language. i got started in Peru and im only getting better! Spainish is such an amazing language, its time i really try and nail it down.

Why do I love Winter?

2009-01-08T08:09:00.000-08:00

Its winter and one day we went to location and the grass was covered in frost. I spent about 15 minutes rubbing my hands all over it. Why do i think its so amazing? and pretty? And lovely? Oh, me! Its because i come from a tropical place.

Ghost Hunterst International PREMIERE!!!

2009-01-08T07:02:00.000-08:00

Last night the first episode of Ghost Hunters International Premiered!!! Man im sorry i didn't tell anyone earlier, i totally forgot. Its a case from Peru and its SCARY OOOOOOOHH!!! Well, i dont know becuase i cant watch it way over here in the motherland, but you can! So watch it and tell me what you think and make sure to look for my name in the credits. I believe its going to be on every Wednesday at 9pm EST so keep watching because its the best damn show on TV!

So this is Espana

2009-01-04T08:35:00.000-08:00

When we arrived in Spain i couldn't believe how unremarkable it was. First of all, i didn't know it was basically desert. I think of Spain and i think of beautiful Spanish buildings and green rolling hills and romance and reds and bulls and all that good stuff. But here in Madrid i have to say i was underwhelmed. The buildings are all the same brick color and outside of the city its rows and rows of what looks like public housing, but its just apartment buildings, all identical. The ground is brown and yellow and sandy.
Luckily, we are working outside of Madrid in a little old town called San Martin De Valdeiglasias. On the way the roads were lined with hundred year-old olive trees. The terrain is flat. FLAT FLAT FLAT. The benefit is that you can see for miles and miles... all the way to mountains in the far distance. We passed over the only river/lake/body of water in the entire province... and you can see i was just so excited.

Madrid

2009-01-04T08:29:00.000-08:00

Driving through.

Sangria!

2009-01-04T08:12:00.000-08:00

Sangria was invented in Spain! it was the first thing to touch my lips upon arrival to Madrid. AND IT WAS DELICIOUS. Viva Espana! Viva Drunkenessa!

Lyaover Sandwhich

2009-01-04T05:29:00.000-08:00

We had a layover in DC which is one of the only places you can find POTBELLY's. I have to say its probably my favorite sandwhich place in the whole country. I discovered it back when i was traveling with American Idol and American inventor, and it only exists in a couple places. I wish i took more pics of the sandwhich itself.... but i ate it much too quickly for a photo op! heres a pic of the sign so you can be sure to spot it next time you are in that part of town.

A little LA Action

2009-01-04T04:56:00.000-08:00

I am looking through my latest photos and really can't skip posting a little note about my time in LA. The last night i went out was absolutely gorgeous and i got to spend it with beautiful friends. Thanks for making it marvelous, guys!

Ok, i take it all back--- HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009-01-01T11:38:00.000-08:00

My previous new year's post was written in a drunken angry rage and i didnt realize i even posted it until just now. So, i deleted it. Its a brand new year and i think its gonna be delightful! Pics of Madrid to come soon. Its AWESOME.

Kisses everyone. happy new YEAR!

Los Angeles, Again and Again

2008-12-19T14:09:00.000-08:00

Oh i just cant stay away. We got here and it was raining and cold! But the days have been warming up, and you really cant go long without the sun making an appearance. ive been hanging with some buddies on the East Side. Of course, i always get sick for like three days everytime i get back and now im battling an ear infection and general fatigue. Maybe i got Dhengi Fever in Singapore, wouldnt that be so exotic of me?

Japan and Hilarious Toilets

2008-12-19T14:06:00.000-08:00

I didnt realize i needed so many options when using a toilet. Lucky me!

Singapore River

2008-12-18T09:26:00.000-08:00

Singapore Slings

2008-12-18T09:11:00.000-08:00

I made sure and had a nice time in Singapore. We went to the place that invented the Sinapore Sling, the Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel. Thereafter i made sure and drank a Singapore Sling at every bar we went to after. Except for the bar with the Mojitos which were probably even more delicious than the sling, but perhaps i am just partical to pieces of green leaves floating around in a drink. I cant tell you what is in a Sinapore Sling because everywhere we went it was made with something different. Really the only similarity was that they were all Pink.

In order of appearance...

2008-12-18T09:08:00.000-08:00

Venison... Frog... Stingray. Its a good day to be a human. Delish.

Singapore is Afraid

2008-12-18T07:41:00.000-08:00

So we had to leave Singapore, which is OK because it was really a lot of work and not too much fun. But i made sure and had a nice time anyhow. Apparently Singaporeans are very supersticious. Who knew? Singapore is the first socialist country ive ever been to and there were a lot of differences dealing with beauracracy and airports... not really that awesome. BUT the architecture and art and the crazy way this place looked were marvelous so luxurious and very worth it.

Solong Singapore.

Hokkein

2008-12-13T10:05:00.000-08:00

I met this man today. he's 88! He chops fire wood to make money. He was absolutely adorable and only spoke a Chinese dialect called Hokkien. When i am 88 i want to be cutting fire wood and running around, and have little muscles, and a cute tiny wife that's taller than i am. He was in this little town in Singapore when the Japanese first invaded the country in 1941 (that's WWII). Woah.

Singapore at Night

2008-12-13T09:16:00.000-08:00

it was pretty. The pictures just dont do this country justice.

Temples

2008-12-13T08:49:00.000-08:00

Seems Fishy

2008-12-13T08:37:00.000-08:00

This is some kind of Crazy Massage they offer here. Fish Massage. Looks tickley.

Singapore

2008-12-12T08:49:00.000-08:00

HEY! Im in Singapore. One bummer is that my computer has crapped out AGAIN so i am now using the Production Laptop. I have to figure a way to get my pictures out of my phone and onto the Interweb. Until then ill just have to paint pictures with my words. OH how poetic of me. Ive only been in this tiny country for a couple of hours, but so far it has managed to take my breath away many times. THe architecture, the extravagence, the money everything here is so over the top and beautiful and amzing. its super clean... i guess you go to jail for spitting. Really clean and rich. Man its hard to really convey wahts going on here. Everything is covered in twinkle lights, and magnificent structures tower and nestle everywhere yuou look. We are also in the nicest hotel we've ever stayed in. The bed is gigantic! I guess you can get around the entire country in about an hour. its just a small little island. Tomrrow i am going location scouting so i hope to see a lot of this country. Wish me luck!

Baguio

2008-12-09T07:22:00.000-08:00

Ok, we are now in Angeles City. But i had to post a pic of Baguio. I took pictures with my other camera, but im too lazy to walk into my room and get it.
(Right now im sitting in the hall down the way from my room because its the only place i get wi-fi... so much for watching porn.)

Filipino Cobra or Python or Anaconda

2008-12-09T07:17:00.000-08:00

We are shooting at an abandoned location. Well, though it is abandoned by humans, the local creatures are still hanging out. One of the guys found this 9 foot long skin at like 1am when we were there. It was still wet! Newly sloughed! Yikes. Then one of our drivers told me a story about how his cousin got bit on the mouth by a King Cobra and died! AND someone else saw an anaconda swimming around in one of the old elevator shafts that are now filled with water. Just like the movies. Who needs hollywood when you have Angeles City.

Balut

2008-12-09T07:15:00.000-08:00

Yes. I did it. I ate a half-formed duckling fetus. And it was pretty good. here's a picture of the aftermath.

My Big Brother: Third Place at the Oneil World Cup

2008-12-04T22:30:00.000-08:00

MY BROTHER IS THE GREATEST SURFER ALIVE!!!

Here's a quote "Hickman produced the highest single wave score - 9.77, and the highest heat total of 17.94 points in the second-last heat of the day in round two. "

Third Place at one of the Triple Crown contests in Hawaii! Of course Im not surprised at all! He is super great!

Also, in other fantastic news, his girlfriend of many years just won Miss Hawaii!!

YAY!

What a great day for Hawaiians!

Baguio City and the Mountain

2008-12-03T19:57:00.000-08:00

I am in Baguio city... it was like a 6 hour drive from Manila and into the mountains. Every picture i take i am disappointed with, because it just doesn't capture how breathtaking this place is.... sprawling little shanty houses stuck to the side of the mountain... huge-gigantic-overhwelming clouds laying lazily over the horizon... the smell of gardenias everywhere... warm and soft breezes...

everyone here is sooooo nice. Always smiling, super helpful, and always accomidating. Im sad i didnt get any days off here because i want to wander around the forest, check out the butterfly sanctuary, eat the local foods... but that's ok, im tyring to take it in as much as i can.

Jet Lag

2008-12-01T02:38:00.000-08:00

Here it is 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles. i thought i didnt really feel it until i woke up at 5pm today. uh.

History Lesson

2008-11-30T08:18:00.000-08:00

I went to an art museum today: Ayala Museum. I guess i really am my mother's child. I learned a lot about the history of the Philippines. Apparently this little island chain has been occupied by the french, the spanish, the british, and the United States. So there were a lot of wars, as you can imagine, but also a lot of different influences that make this place unique. Again, i will probably learn little to no Tagolog because EVERYONE speaks english. They probably speak spanish too. Man, i really need to get on this language train, there's really no excuse at this point. Ill have to learn spanish first, because my family is from Panama and i shouldn't disgrace them anyone :) then maybe ill learn portugese because its so beautiful. Itll give me an excuse to move to Brazil. Then what? Maybe something non-latin based. Any ideas? How about Hindi? Japanese? Hawaiian? Icelandic?
The world if my oyster, after all.

Whats Up Manila?

2008-11-29T19:57:00.000-08:00

I am here in Manila for two days all by my lonesome. That's right! Two days of waiting for the cast to arrive. The rest of the crew left this morning. here's the view from my hotel room.

So i get to be a tourist for a couple days. YIPEE! Any suggestions? Hey Manila! What's up! Lets party!

ALOHA TIME!

2008-11-29T11:40:00.000-08:00

We had a one hour layover in Hawaii on the way to the Philippines. ONE HOUR! what a damn tease. I called my brother, he said he was just about to paddle out and do some surfing. AND his girlfriend just got crowned Miss Hawaii! It was humid and warm and i am going to quit my job and move back home and live on the beach and make puka shell necklaces. HA!

LA Shout-Outs

2008-11-29T08:23:00.000-08:00

I just want to say thank you to Kent Kravitz who, in the middle of the morning (2 hours before i had to leave for the airport) flew in like a crazy angel and gave me all the programs i needed to download to i can work on the road. kent, how do you do it? little bit of fairy magic perhaps? or just plain BADASSery?

And THANK YOU KRISTIN! For lending your car and you home and your time to me all week long. I love you. :)

Los Angeles, My Love

2008-11-29T05:38:00.000-08:00

I always feel so at home in LA. For as much as I complain about that city, it really is a very marvelous place to be. I had a thanksgiving dinner with Kordy and Rasty. And i made a gingerbread house in the park. Dandylion came to visit! I also saw some awesome sunrises over the downtown skyscrapers and wrote a silly song about it. I also saw a cat get shaved and then put into a dryer (see hilarious pic above.) Los Angeles, Ill miss you...

BON VOYAGE!

2008-11-29T05:07:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone!

I am in Manila, Philippines. Just got here about an hour ago. Yippeee!! I gotta set up the computer a bit (new hard drive to get up to speed) and then ill be posting pics in no time.

Manila is warm and full of small brown people, just like back home! So far its bustling and busy and the streets are not well lit, but the little carts of food look absolutely delicious, but probably lethal to my american digestion. That wont stop me though!

No More Posts this Trip

2008-11-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

So my computer is completely busted. Its been just a fantastic week for me and electronics. Needless to say, i will not be able to post any more pics, or anymore posts for this trip. That's alright. Scandinavia is gloomy and beautiful but also makes me sad and bored, so there's not too much to post about any way. I go home in 4 days. "Home" being hopefully San Francisco for about a week. Then:

PHILLIPINES!
JAPAN!

Woo hoo. Ill have to get a new computer so i can work, so posts will be starting as soon as that happens. Thank you for reading along everyone. Posting and reading comments is the most connection i have with all my friends and with my life in the US and i will miss all of it terribly in the gloomy denmark days ahead. oh yeah, did i mention i am back in Denmark? We drove in yesterday and now i am staying in a haunted castle. Ooooooo!!! its actually really cool to look at, and besides the rain and hale, it'll be a nice place to finish out my Scandinavia trip.

Kisses!

RIP Sheila

2008-11-14T09:54:00.000-08:00

i opened my brand new ukulele tonight and it doesn't work. Totally busted. Fuck you sweden

Meet Sheila

2008-11-13T10:12:00.000-08:00

I was SUPER depressed yesterday, hating my job, and hating my life and venting way too much and its probably because I haven't seen the sun in a month, haven't had any days off, and because i hate my PA. So i did something that makes me feel really great IMPULSE SHOPPING! There's a music store across the street from the hotel and i finally bought an ELECTRIC UKULELE!!!! Her name is Sheila and her older sister Poliahu is happy to have a fellow uke on the trip. Now they can play and laugh together and we can all make beautiful music.

LOST

2008-11-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

Man i love this show. I realized i can download TV shows and watch them on my iPhone so i have downloaded the fourth season of LOST, which is probably the most epic show ever. PENNY! I am a couple episodes in and trying not to watch everything all at once, just stay up all night and watch the whole. Because, i know when it is over, i will be sad that its going to be months before season 5 even starts and i will have even more questions unanswered and its going to be terribley marvelous.

More Hilarious Swedish

2008-11-10T20:10:00.000-08:00