Gira que gira

So the apartment search continues. Last week I saw 7 places and not really any that I loved. I was kinda excited about the place down the block from us, but by the time I had gotten around to calling again it was already rented. They were like we have a beautiful garden apartment available. Eeew no. I don't do garden apartments. I think they are dirty, I think of mice, floods, etc. No. So tomorrow I am seeing 2 more places, 1 here in Logan Square and another in Lincoln Square. Sista M, Lincoln Square is north of us on the brown line, rather close to Ravenswood. It's really north I know, but it's such a cute neighborhood. Rob and I are open to both neighborhoods. I shall keep looking...the perfect place will come along.

With all this apartment searching, part of me feels like I should own something by now. My finances however do not permit it right now. Next time we move I hope it's into a place of our own :)

So I the other day my boo boo asked me if I knew what the hell was going on w/ former Mexican teeny bopper Lynda?




It's been a few years since her last album Polen. If you don't remember her, she was burst onto the Mexican pop scene in the mid 90s. I guess you could say she was the Christina to Fey's Britney. Her sound was euro pop/dance, and it's oh so fun! I never understood why the far less superior Fey was more popular. I mean Lynda was much prettier (Fey was and is a dog), her songs were just as catchy (actually a lot catchier if you ask me), she had a nice voice (then again Fey isn't known for her uh voice), oh and she was actually a teen (14 at the time of her debut), not in her 20s like Fey. Ha ha! Anyhoo turns out she's been working on a new album for awhile. After her going into a more pop/rock sound w/ her third and fourth albums, I hear she's doing a follow up in both English and Spanish. Well her husband is Carlos Lara, who also produced all of her albums, and who is responsible for producing RBD. Turns out Lynda has been doing background vocals for them (and probably singing too) and even wrote their current single No pares. It's nice to know she's at least making $$ during her time away.

Anyhoo the reason I even posted this was because today while I was searching on youtube I came across her first ever music video! I know some of you locas remember this one...



I love it so hard! The lyrics are über fresa, but I can't get enough of it! I swear someday I will do this song in drag w/ a mini backpack and all!

Quickly, I need to wish a happy belated birthday to Patty GOL! Ramirez! I love you pilas! Speaking of birthdays, Monday Chus turns 2! Peace out trout!

Choi's

So yesterday we decided to get take out from our favorite Chinese restaurant in our neighborhood. For any of you who live in the Logan Square area, I'm talking about Choi's which is right on Milwaukee & Kedzie. It is the BOMB! I've never had such good chinese food in my life. It was a total run down dive, and I don't think I'd actually eat there in person, but in the comfort of my own home...gurl...ain't no stopping me. Recently we noticed it was closed for renovation. I figured, the old Chinese couple was fixing it up a bit. Well last night we found out it is under new management. Now they have fancy take out dishes and the food does not taste anywhere as good as it used to. So this leads me to our apartment quest (which is still on). We've been toying w/ the idea of looking in other areas besides Logan Square. Quite frankly the rent is going up really high in this area and I've seen a total of 7 places and nothing that really excites me. I'm beginning to get frustrated.

So I take Choi's going to the shitter as a sign we should look elsewhere. We're thinking Lincoln Square. It's a nice area. I think this Saturday I'm gonna walk around and look for any for rent signs. Hopefully we can find something soon that suits our needs (both financially and location-wise).

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love my late 80s/early 90s music. Today's video I'm sharing w/ you is from the best female rapper to ever come out of the UK...Betty Boo!!!!



Ms. Boo is currently 1/2 of the UK duo WIGWAM. Check out their site here.

If you haven't already check out the PNS Explosion, three of the funniest homos in Chicago!!! You can check out their hilarious podcast by visiting their website @ pnsexplosion.com! Tell 'em Joe sent ya! Toodles.

Gallery 12

I was recently going through some old boxes and I came across an old sketchbook of mine from when I was 12. We're talking 1989 here. The entire thing was drawings like the following. LOL! Enjoy! Remember I was 12 when I did these, so be nice!

About 50% of the drawings were of Martika but I this was my fave! Ha!

Of course there had to many Tiffany drawings. Notice the detail in her hair. LOL!

I couldn't do Tiffany and leave Debbie Gibson out could I?

Even back then I only liked Madonna w/ dark hair! LOL!

Exposé would be proud of my sketch!

I even did one of The Cover Girls! Pencil only, maybe cause in the future I knew the memebers would change like a hooker's panties, so I could erase them! Ha!

Enjoy!

It's Your Birthday

Today is my Boo Boo's birthday! So everyone head on over to his blog and wish him a happy birthday :) In your honor, today's video for you...



Enjoy! Tonight we are going out for Cuban food to celebrate. We're gonna try Café Laguardia in Bucktown. I'll let you know how it is. Have a good one everyone!

LECHE

This Sat. is the Fobia concert! I'm so excited...I haven't seem them since they played the House of Blues here back in 96(?). So I was digging around on youtube.com and came across this video:



Diablo was the first time I had ever seen/heard Fobia and I just remember being so mesmerized by the song, by Leonardo's blue feather boa. I have to say they are probably my favorite rock en español band of all time and I am super geeked that I will be seeing them this weekend :) I love their quirkiness and their hunky lead singer doesn't hurt either!

In other news I saw 2 more places last night. One I LOVED but was really out of our price range, and to be quite honest was kinda in the crappy part of Logan Square. The other one, which is 1.5 blocks down the block from us, is really a great option both financially (heat is included) and location wise (hello it's a block away from where we are now!). So I am going to go ahead and have them put it on hold. I'm also gonna be looking at other places this weekend. This is so stressful as I just want to know where we'll be living. Plus I think if we were to get this place it won't be as traumatic for Chus, as it's only down the block and we can still see all his buddies in the neighborhood :)

Dump #1

So I knew there was going to be something wrong w/ the place we saw yesterday. Shit hole is more like it. It was just gross. Tonight I am seeing another place, so wish me luck on this one! Nothing can be as bad as what I saw yesterday.

So my Sista M called me all excited to tell me that the Freestyle Extravaganza mega concert would be making it's way to Chicago. He then proceeded to tell me who was playing, it's a who's who of freestyle has-beens: Cynthia, Lisa Lisa, George Lamond, Shannon, Johnny O, Judy Torres, Cover Girls (the current WTF lineup), Noel, TKA...! OMG we have to go I quickly replied. When is it? May 20. Ugh. I can't go :( That's the same day as RBD. I know! But...these freestyle has been mega shows come to Chicago at least every year. But in the past we've never been able to go. It was too good to be true. I guess I'll have to wait this one out and go next time. I was so looking foward to dancing and singing along w/ all the South Side hoochies.

Almost forgot...check out this parody that Peaches did of MY HUMPS by BEP called MY DUMPS...you can download the mp3 here! It's a hoot!

Bees

Easter weekend was relaxing, thank god! Chus got his hair cut (all of it!!) he looks like a Chihuahua right now! Adorable...I'll post pics later. Poor thing was traumatized. My mom came to visit and we did some shopping in Lincoln Park on Saturday (not my favorite neighborhood, but good for shopping nonetheless). Of course I had to stop at the used cd store. They were giving away this sampler of this new band w/ any purchase, so I took one. Glad I did cause I'm totally digging it! Not sure how to descripe them. Alternative-lite pop w/ a touch of Russian? They're great! Their name is Persephone's Bees



and this is their official website. You can also check them out on itunes here. I think some of you guys would like them, especially my twin blogger. Sista M there are even hot remixes of their first single Nice Day. Their debut album is to come out in June.

So the apartment hunt is on! I have an apointment to see a place tonight, it's rather cheap so I'm a bit skeptical. But tomorrow I am looking at a place literally 1.5 blocks down the street from us! I hope I like that place cause the move would be beyond easy. Thanks for those of you who have been sending listings my way. I appreciate it :)

Under Pressure

You know how just a few days ago I was bitching and moaning about how Dannii Minogue isn't releasing a proper follow up to NEON NIGHTS, but rather a Greatest Hits + 6 songs? Well after seeing her newly updated website, it eased the pain a bit (they really outdid themselves)...but now I have just seen the new video for her brand new single SO UNDER PRESSURE....HOLY BALLS THIS SH*T IS HOT!!! This is by far one of Dannii's best singles...EVER! Wow! I can't wait for the remixes! Check it out...

Look In My Heart

I am a sucker for actresses that sing. If you peeked through my CD collection you'd find CDs by the likes of Cree Summer, Nia Peeples, Tricia Leigh Fisher, Milla Jovovich, Bijou Phillips, Minnie Driver, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jasmine Guy...I could go on for hours. But one that I never went out of my way to get into was Alyssa Milano. During the late 80s and part of the early 90s she had a huge singing career in Asia. While I never bothered to check out some of music, I found this video on youtube and now I know I have to track down everything she's EVER recorded! Can you blame Asia for loving her so? This shit is so awful it's good! I don't know what I love more, her god awful bleached jeans paired w/ a hockey jersey (that's a hockey jersey right?), the pink bridesmaid/prom dress from hell or her "dancing"? Why not judge for yourself and check out this gem entitled Look In My Heart:

A ESA

I almost forget to mention that the most incestuous group ever is coming to Chicago. Yes kiddies...



PIMPINELA! We are so going! They are coming to the HOUSE OF BLUES May 10. We will be there, along w/ screaming housewives. It's gonna be a hoot!

Four(skin)

Ok so this post isn't about foreskin, but I wanted something funny for my title. My twin blogger had this survey up on her site and asked that other Chicago bloggers do the same. So humor me as I happily oblige :)

Four Jobs I've Had In My Life in Chicago:
I've only had one job since living here for 6.5 years (lame I know). Art Director @ an ad agency.

Four Movies Set in Chicago I Could Watch Over And Over:
Sixteen Candles (ok it's the burbs...but it's close enough!)
Breakfast Club (see above)
Adventures in Babysitting (I'm stealing this from my twinny; actually I haven't seen this in years!)
High Fidelity

Four Places I've Lived In Chicago:
Little Village (when my parents got remarried in 1985 we lived on 32nd and Kostner for a summer before moving back to Milwaukee after my grandmother died)
Uptown (my apartment, a studio, was off the Argyle stop on the red line; 1999)
Bridgeport (Shitport as I dubbed it, the rent was REALLY cheap; 2000-2004)
Logan Square (my current home and the best neighborhood in Chicago! 2005-present)

Four Chicago-Themed Shows I Love(d) To Watch:
Married With Children
Webster
Punky Brewster
The Loop

Four Places I Would Vacation At In Chicago:
The W Hotel
Swiss Hotel
Virgin Megastore (I could have a shopping spree!)


Four Chicago-Based Websites I Visit Daily:
musicbeing (my boo boo)
chicago sexbox (my milwaukee sister)
espelina (my twin blogger)
chargenda (charlie, because he can throw down w/ some avenue d)
boomtacular (the homos of the PNS Explosion's blog...hilarious!)

Four Of My Favorite Foods Found In Chicago:
the buffet at Star of India
a guarache from Maxwell Street
chicken low mein from Choi's in Logan Square
tapas & sangría @ Café Ibérico

Four Places In Chicago I Would Rather Be Right Now:
cd shopping
drunk at Roscoe's on a sunday night (queening out w/ my equally drunk bf and MS)
taking my baby out for a nice walk
at dinner w/ friends

Beefaroni

I usually leave the beefaroni entries to my Milwaukee Sister. But I had to gush over this random hottness. I've had a crush on Jerry O'Connell for years. He's hot! Have you seen him on the cover of the newest issue of MEN'S FITNESS?? I couldn't find the cover online anywhere, but trust me he looks HOT! But when searching for some hottie pics of Jerry I came across this one...



Grrr indead!

In other news I have begun the search for an apartment for my boo boo, Chus and I. I know it's super early but, I always say it's never too early to start looking. Thus far I haven't found anything that wows me yet. There were a few I thought might be good but once I found out it didn't have a dishwasher....oh no! See I never had a dishwasher in my life until we moved into our current place and let me tell you I don't know how I went so long w/out one? All I want is a 2 bedroom (a den as well would be nice), hard wood floors (I don't do carpeting), dishwasher, central air/heat, laundry on site (in unit is even better), parking, dog friendly (that is #1 on my list) in the same 'hood we're in now. What's so hard about that? Wish me luck.

In other news my Sista M and I are equally upset to hear that after waiting what seems like an eternity for Dannii Minogue's new album...all we're getting is a lousy greatist hits compilation w/ 6 new songs!?!? WTF!?!? Dannii...you dissapoint me so. After the fiercest electropop album ever, NEON NIGHTS, all we get is fucking GH collection??!!?? The only good thing is supposedly there will be a DVD...but still. A GH!?!??! I can't write anymore, my favorite Minogue has let me down.

twin blogger

I just found out that today is a special day. It is my twin blogger's birthday! So I dedicate this to her...



¡Felicidades!

Reading Rainbow

So for the past 2 months or so I've been on this reading frenzy. Bored of playing solitaire or reading the latest gossip rag on my commute to and from work, I discovered this mini library that some of my coworkers started. A book club if you will. The first book I read was The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger.



It was a fun trashy read. It's being made into a movie and Meryl Streep plays Miranda Priestly! I can't wait.

Next I read High Maintenence by Jennifer Belle.



This book I didn't enjoy as much. Yes it was trashy, but it started off very slow. I didn't really get into it until about half way through.

Next was Running In Heels by British author Anna Maxted.



(What can I say I dig trashy chick books...). This I highly enjoyed and was eager to read everyday to see how the protoganist dealt w/ her eating disorder and all that was associated w/ it.

So after finishing these 3 I wanted something a bit different. My coworker suggested I read Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides, in fact she gave me her copy.



This is from the same author who wrote The Virgin Suicides, which I adored. Needless to say I am loving this book. Loving! I am about half way done w/ it, but already it's twisted story has sucked me in.

So my question to you is any good books out there you recommend?

I have also started reading Young, Fabulous & Broke by Suze Orman.



Some people on the PNS Explosion's blog recommended this book. When I heard the title I just about died, as it fits me to a "t". Honestly I have never been at one w/ my finances so as we are about to embark a move (more on that later) I figure now is a good time as any. It's a wonderful resource and I am learning so much about things I never even cared about before. Still not done w/ it but here's hoping I can take some of her advice and run with it.

So as I mentioned above, we are about to embark on a move. Yes a move. We have to move. Our landlord's ex-wife's elderly mother (that's a mouthful isn't it?) will be moving into our apartment so they can care for her. While it sucks, I understand it's family...but this is kind of a blessing in disguise as we have been wanting to move ever since our mouse problem worsened. We have until July 1st but I'd much rather move by June 1st as to not have to deal w/ a hot summer move. If all goes according to plan we'll be moving within the same neighborhood, as we love it so much. Wish us luck! Moving's a bitch...and the packing...ugh...don't get me started.

Ta-ta!