Father's Day Brunch

Although Al is technically not a father yet (well almost until the tragedy early this year), I thought of surprising him to a champagne brunch by Rockaway Beach in Pacifica since we haven't been there for so long. I wanted to go Moonraker (which was the venue of our first 'formal' date and his birthday at the time) because it brings back a lot of memories. But I found out that it was closed down and replaced by Ristorante Portofino. I looked at the site and it seemed promising, but when we got there, I didn't like the food at all! And this was just breakfast! If it weren't for the view, I would've left. Anyway, I made reservations already. We had a nice dinner though the night before at Nick's with a live band too and sunset - http://twitpic.com/7zcd8. And the view at both places are spectacular - http://twitpic.com/81dml.

Road Trip to Las Vegas

It was my brother's wedding anniversary and he wanted to drive to Las Vegas for vacation and wanted us to go with them. Before the trip, Al and I psyched up ourselves by watching the movie Hang Over in the theater. We secured a time share and two-bedroom suite that was right on the strip and in front of Planet Hollywood from Al's aunt and uncle. It was also next to Bellagio and so conveniently located!

Our first day was the most fun. We had brunch at Salo-Salo Grill and passed by Palms to get our badges for the CineVegas Film Fest. If we knew it included brunch, we would have gone there instead. But it also included three free movies, an awards ceremony at their nightclub Rain, and VIP access to their other clubs Moon and the Playboy Club. We saw an exclusive screening of World's Greatest Dad and thought Robin Williams was there in person. We saw Bobcat Goldthwait, Alexi Gilmore, and other actors of the movie instead. At the awards ceremony and reception at Rain, we saw more celebrities such as Maria Menunos, Tony Hawk, Dennis Hopper, Willen Dafoe, and Jon Voight. They had unlimited booze and hors d' ouvres. We saw Angelina Jolie's dad again at an restaurant called Nove Italiano and Al took a pic with him. After the awards, we went to the Playboy club to hang out and check it out. We also checked out Moon for some cool sounds (DJ AM and Paul Oakenfold play there on weekends). At night, we had a late dinner at Palms Cafe and coffee at Starbuck's in Planet Hollywood.

Our second day was devoted to the strip. We spend to day going to places we've never been before (new hotels such as Planet Hollywood, Pallazzo, Rio, and Encore). We even checked out Trump (just the lobby coz we were curious). We had buffet at Wynn's too. We got free passes for the club at Encore but decided not to go since we were so tired. On our third day, we had another celebrity sighting at Hooters of all places (we went there to check it out too since we've never been there). We saw Floyd Mayweather Sr. and took pics with him. We also went to Hard Rock Cafe coz they wanted to buy stuff, and the Las Vegas sign so we can take more pics. We also went to the Las Vegas Marine Harbor to feed the fish (my first time to go there and it was cool) and a quick trip to Hoover Dam (my first time to do the tour inside, we were always outside). The short vacation was fun and tiring at the same time.

Fun T-Mobile Ad

I tweeted this, but I wanted to share this on my blog as well. I thought this was a fun ad - http://bit.ly/qC7Ka. It reminds me of improve everywhere - http://bit.ly/yAfT5

Triple Bill at the Blank Club

Al and I felt like going out tonight, so we decided to go to the Blank Club after hearing that Al's fave band, Glasvegas, was going to be there. We already saw the band not too long ago at Harlow's in Sacramento, but Al is such a fan that he wanted to see them again. The Von Bondies and the Audrey Sessions were opening for them as well and I always wanted to see Von Bondies. We met up with a couple of friends, watched awesome sets, broadcasted the concert live on ustream, and got to hang out with the band later on. After the concert, there was also the usual new wave dance party. It was a very fun night.

Un-Broke - Seth Green Cribs Edition

I just wanted to share this. Since we are in a recession, I thought this was funny spin to it Cribs show on MTV -

Conan 1st Day on the Tonight Show

You've probably heard of Conan's replacement of Jay Leno on the Tonight Show. Anyway, I just watched the first show and I thought it was funny, Conan was funny as usual. I would want to see his show live one day.

2009 MTV Movie Awards

The real reason we went to LA was to see the MTV Movie Awards this year. We've never been to one so this would be our first time. It would also be our first time watching a major award show, and also our first time at Gibson Ampitheater. I am psyched! This is what the show promises - new moon trailer debut, adam samberg hosting, cool celebs, kings of leon performance, mystery presenter #7, christian siriano on red carpet, and the presence of the twilight cast and other celebrities. I still don't like the MTV network though. It was one cool Sunday night, probably the best night I had on a Sunday. Here's a pic of Al - http://twitpic.com/6dm46. I would want to do this again next year. We ended the night with a dinner at Bubba Gump at Universal City, and then we drove back home to the bay.

A Last Minute LA Vacation

So we decided last minute to drive to LA over the weekend. We stayed at my aunt's place who I missed so much! I was surrounded but four young kids who gathered around us and played with us! We stayed at their place and caught up with my grandma's sister as well. At night we all watched UP the movie. We went to Irvine Spectrum to watch it, but we just missed the movie and the next showing was too late. We made a quick visit at Old Navy coz they had a $5 shirt sale (bought a couple). I bought tix at Fandango via mobile and just showed the ticket takers my phone, hehe. The movie was awesome! I cried the first few minutes of the movie. That's how good it is! Watch it!

Working Remotely at EON Cafe

Just wanted to post since it's my first time here. Al was off and he wanted to hang out at a coffee shop and I saw this place on tv (I think it was Bast of the Bay or something). We had lunch, I worked remotely, and I took a few pics - http://twitpic.com/67ezd

New Book for Pre-Order

I tweeted this already, but I'll do a post anyway. There's an interesting new book available for pre-order The Day the Dancers Stayed: Performing in the Filipino/American Diaspora. Check it out - http://bit.ly/4cvAi. Oh yeah, I made the website for the author of this book.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

After the party, my kuya and his family decided to go Santa Cruz Beach boardwalk since they've never been there. I thought it was a great idea so we drove there to have more summer fun. Nikki brought her boyfriend too. We pulled them to a restaurant that searved fish and chips coz we were so hungry and ate by the beach. Then we strolled around while the kids rode rides. This day was special because Brandond can ride the more scarier rides, something that he can't do at Great America because he never passes their height criteria (he's still too young). But at SCBB, he can go on the main rides. It was definitely a fun day with family.

Camila's Birthday Party

Had fun at Camila's birthday. My sis did the finger painting, al and my bro picked up the food, and their friend made the cake. Cake was cute, a princess cake for my princess niece. They had a huge jumper house, the biggest I've seen so far. There were tons of food including the prized lechon. Their neighbor works for Patron I think so he sponsored the event with bottles of Patron and other freebies. Anyway, I thought it was funny because the background music is Lady Gaga and adults were all drunk. All of a sudden, it didn't seem like a children's party anymore. At night, the remaining guests were all singing karaoke.

Latest Concert Calendar

Exciting year! Check out these bands to watch in the next couple of months -

St Vincent at Bimbo's - May 27
School of Seven Bells at Bottom of the Hill - May 28
The Submarines at The Independent - June 5
Metric, Glasvegas, Yeah Yeah Yeahs at Shoreline (BFD) - June 6
Camera Obscura at The Fillmore - June 8
Glasvegas, Von Bondies and Audrey Sessions at the Blank Club in San Jose - June 11
Bat for Lashes at Great American Music Hall - June 13
Third Eye Blind free concert at the park in SJ - June 18
Phoenix at the Grand Ballroom of Regency Center - June 27
Death Cab for Cute at the Greek Theater - July 11
Coldplay at Shoreline Ampitheater - July 13
The Veils at Bottom of the Hill - July 13
No Doubt, Paramore, and the Sounds at Shoreline Ampitheater - July 25
Depeche Mode at Shoreline Ampitheater - Aug 12
Matt & Kim at Outlands Fest SF - Aug 28
Charlatans UK - October 14

I really want to see Depeche Mode (missed them the last time they were here).

A Very Musical Tuesday

After watching the finale of American Idol, I watched the pilot episode of Glee. I thought Lea Michele is awesome! I actually saw her on stage in New York when I watched the broadway Spring Awakening. I loved their interpretation of Journey's Don't Stop Believing. Until now, it's still playing in my head. Watch the pilot episode now - http://www.hulu.com/watch/73740/glee-pilot

Btw, on a side note, it's obvious Adam is the clear choice and I've been a fan from the start (well aside from Anoop but he's long gone). I am starting to like Kris Allen though because he's becoming more confident and plays/sings more passionately then ever before. Check out Kris Allen's performance of Heartless by Kanye West. It's definitely better than the original - http://video.yahoo.com/watch/5058940

Free Coldplay Live Album

Their website says it's the band's way of saying thanks! Download the free tunes here - http://bit.ly/tRTBv - Awesomeness!

On other news, Al and I finally saw Star Trek. I thought Chris Pine and Zachary Pinto were adorable, hehe. Zachary, zachary, zachary! I'm glad to see such a talented actor on the big screen and away from his tv character Sylar. I liked the movie. Watch it!