Friday, November 23, 2012

Yeah, the Moon!

Moon at My Window
Remember what I was telling you about the moon passing by my window? While I'm warmly tucked in under the covers, my comforter and throw, my face is totally immersed in the glow of the moon. Even with my eyes closed, I can feel its presence with its light gently touching my face. Then it slips out quietly, either before or by the time I fall into a deep sleep. It's such a joy! That's why I always look forward to this moment.

Goodnight, Moon... As always, thanks for the visit. I love you.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

T'is the Real Thanksgiving Coming Up!


The Thanksgiving Table
(Photo by www.flickr.com)
The Thanksgiving Table

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

And what are you doing this THANKSGIVING, my friends? Where are you going this weekend?

Norman and I usually celebrate Thanksgiving buffet with family friends in different hotels every year. However, it seems that, most of the time, we end up at the Atrium of Hyatt Burlingame. It's everybody's favorite. Have you been there? It's gorgeous! You should try there even once and you'll fall in love with the place. With all the greens inside, trees, plants, you think you're outside, warm and comfortable under the sun, when you're actually inside the hotel, and it can really be stormy outside. Great experience!

Well, wherever you'll be and whoever you'll be with, let's all have a great weekend filled with abundance and gratitude in our hearts, okay! 

Love y'all!... and, yes, thanks for the company.

Where'd Thanksgiving Go??

I've been going back and forth across the bay this weekend for some gigs and what do I see everywhere - Christmas decorations! It's not even Thanksgiving yet!

Thanksgiving, such a beautiful American tradition, is getting overshadowed by all these Christmas decors all over town! Years ago, you don't see any X'mas decors till after Thanksgiving. It's sad!
We're in America. Don't you think we should just show respect for  this all-American culture? But no! In retail business, the only company, a department store, big one at that, that does this is NORDSTROM . Nordstrom doesn't put up its X'mas trees and ornaments until after Thanksgiving. And to think that the Nordstrom family is European in origin. I have great respect for that store, I tell you.

Here's a related post I wrote on Thanksgiving last year.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE! HAVE A GREAT ONE!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Gorgeous First Lady, Michelle Obama!

Just came back from the gym after soooooo long and I'm glad I did it! It's been difficult due to my hectic schedule but I decided to break my old pattern and just went for it! It wasn't easy breaking the habit until I saw a great picture of Michelle Obama. Look at her, look at those toned muscles! If I had them, I'd be wearing midriff, tube tops, and flaunting all the time, even in cold San Francisco!! Why not?!

I've read criticisms about her wearing haltered, off- shouldered clothes as being not representative of First Ladies! Hey, we live in the modern times! Yes, it was shocking to see women with their muscles in the 80's (was that when it all started?) and thought they looked too masculine! But it's not like that any more today. We're talking health and fitness now. Michelle looks gorgeous, fit and healthy!

FIT&HEALTHY IS BEAUTIFUL!

Yeah, she's a role model, and she's my model! 

Forward, Michelle!

A Second Term for President Barack Obama

... Second time around for my music, The Audacity of Hope, in honor of President Obama. Here's sharing. Enjoy. I'm proud of it.

http://socorrodecastro2.blogspot.com/2012/11/second-time-around-for-president-barack.html

Sunday, November 4, 2012

More Halloween Treats!

Wow, this is the longest Halloween weekend I can ever remember! Halloween usually falls on a weekend; otherwise, it's just a one-night event! This year, it fell on a Wednesday, middle of the week. You'd think it would be over the next day. So how did it get longggg like that? The SF GIANTS winning the World Series 2012! The big parade was held on Halloween Day. And after that, no one could stop the city of San Francisco from extending the celebration till the weekend.  Hence, people were dressed up with Halloween costumes till Sunday!

For me and Norman, it's been a musical treat this week. Musicians that we are, we can't complain! We got invited Thursday to Yoshi's SF's Soulful Night of Keys. Friday was Michael Tilson Thomas and Lang Lang at Davies Symphony Hall with the SF Symphony! One of the best symphonies in the world, a Spectacular show! Saturday, we went to see a friend sing with the VOLTI SF at the Unitarian Church. And today was my 2nd weekend of Sandy Cressman's CONNECTED VOICE WORKSHOP at the Jazz School. What a great learning experience for me! Then on to the New American Songbook Project at Piedmont Piano Co. at night.

Busy musical weekend this Halloween ! It's been fun. Love it!

Post Script

I'm really not a serious hopeless insomniac, guys. I just get sleepless nights sometimes with my hectic schedule, and so on. Once I get my routine back, I'm okay. I'm fine. Thanks.

Don't worry, be happy.

... And the Helpless Hopeless Sleepless

Here's the Insomniac's Night Prayer on the Eve When We Change Our Clocks -

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
I pray the Lord my...........
Now wait a minute, Lord
Before I wake, please let me fall asleep first
And as we fall back to standard time
and spring forward for daylight saving time
And we fall back tonight
Please give me that extra hour to fall into a deep deep sleep
An extra hour to get my beauty rest
I just need that extra hour to make up for all my sleepless nights
Just that extra hour to be fresh and energized tomorrow when I wake up
Thank you, Lord, thank you...
If I should die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.

Goodnight, Lord, goodnight... Thank you.


...........40, 41, 42..........103, 104,................434, 435, 436, 437............... I can't believe I'm still counting sheep........998, 999....... Wow, an extra hour to count more sheep.............1035,....... 

God damn, what's so good 'bout the morning?!@#$%^

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Talk About... Sleep

Look what I found! Some simple, natural, healthy tips to help you get to sleep . One of them is listening to music and here's a five-minute relaxation audio that will help lull you to sleep -

http://www.well.com/~mick/insomnia/


Enjoy.