Good movies, good times

The work day from hell is over. In a not-so-uncommon moment of stupidity laced with pity, I agreed to work a double-shift at the restaurant on Christmas Eve. If it wasn't bad enough to be working on Christmas Eve, I was working a double... and if it wasn't bad enough to be working a double, it was Christmas Eve. Anyway, you get the picture. The result: I made it, earned far less money than I thought, but at least it's over. Moving on...
Last night I saw Capote. All I can say is that this movie is absolutly incredible. INCREDIBLE. The movie revolves around Capote's project/ground-breaking novel In Cold Blood, which is also one of my favorite books. Anyone who has read In Cold Blood will be enthralled by the movie... someone who isn't familiar with Capote's works will probably not reach such a deep understanding, but the acting is still supurb. So I guess my recommendation is to read In Cold Blood and then eventually see Capote. If Philip Seymour Hoffman isn't nominated for an Oscar, I am going to start riots.

Twenty-three

My birthday was awesome. The 20th fell on a Tuesday so as usual I went into my internship at Global Exchange... GX is such a fun office so it's no surprise that they're all about celebrating birthdays. I was treated to lunch at my favorite cafe... Later in the day Ashley surprised me with a coffee birthday cake as the department sang to me. They're so awesome. XX wished me happy birthday and I started blushing profusely... I hardly ever blush, so once I realized I was blushing it became worst. I wonder if he noticed...
Come late afternoon I went out to happy-hour drinks with some friends and then met my family and more friends at Mangarosa, a Brazilian/Italian restaurant in North Beach (the "Little Italy" neighborhood of SF). We toasted with caiparinhas to start the meal and then ordered a feast of Brazilian-infused Italian food including: pao de quijo, crab artichoke dip, steak, sea bass, lamb chops, ravioli, etc. It was so good to be completely surrounded by close family and friends... also the first birthday in years that didn't wake up completely hung over on the 21.
Since then I've finished my internship at GX. I absolutely loved interning there... Luckily I'll be starting a whole new chapter in my life, otherwise it would be much harder leaving that behind. I recently rented a documentary that GX helped create, "Life + Debt." Its focus is on Jamaica and ties together several themes concerning the political economy: the IMF, tourism, loans, life and struggles in a developing country, etc.... These are the issues we all should be well-informed on, especially because so many of the negotiations are made in our name, the USA. The movie is no King Kong, but it's very well done, informative and has an awesome reggae soundtrack. (It's also a little hard to find, but don't give up!)

Rant

We meet at a bar. For some reason, you're struck with an urge to make some remarks. Just to let you know... I'm already aware that:
-Yes, I am tall, especially in heels.
-Yes, I know that my hair is really curly. No, you can't touch it.
-Yes, I'm aware that my name, Leslie, sounds a little bit like "lesbian."
Thank you, drunk man, for alerting me once again. Now please leave me alone.

It's in the bag, baby

In the wonderful words of my Brazilian friend who works at the consulate:
"Leslie, seu passaporte ja esta pronto."
That's right! I have my visa for 365 legal days in Brazil. How do I feel?

The Birthday Book

What's in a birthday? Each day of the year has a unique magic, and your birthday can reveal your strengths and weaknesses, helping you discover hwo to reach your full potential and make the most of your journey here on Earth.
About a year ago I bought what appears to be the corniest book ever: 365 Birthdays Interpreted, complete with a metallic pink cover with a smiling sun (gag). I've never been much into horoscopes, mainly because I'm on the border between Sagittarius and Capricorn and don't really fit to either one. However, I am obsessed with my birthday book. Of course it's not 100% accurate, but for the most part its descriptions are very true for most of the people I know. I especially love mine becuase it addresses the fact that I have crazy dreams. Here is my description... things that I think are right on are in blue... if you are curious about your own birth date, let me know and I'll tell you what it says (luckily I'm a fast typer)....
December 20
color: silvery white
animal: rabbit
occupation: psychic, vet, teacher
key features: enthusiastic, emotional, phychic
naturally good at: sensing people's thoughts

Character: Perceptive and respnsive, you have the ability to heal others in crisis. You're a natural shoulder for troubled shouls to cry on. You may have found having such insight hard in your childhood; no one, including your parents, could pull the wool over your eyes. You are honest to a fault and have a genuine love of humanity.

Life path: You can get caught up in other people's lives and need to be a little more selfish sometimes. You have a mystical, indefinable quality that can make some lesser mortals uncomfortable. You are able to make people think on a deeper level and stir up thier unconscious. You have vivid dreams and should keep a dream journal to record them in because they can be prophetic.

Love: This is one area in which you can be insecure or even give your power away. You need to work on this and then you will be fulfilled beyond your expectations. You have so much to offer a partner that they will be overwhelmed by your generous heart.

I think the animal part may be the most fun... here are just some of my friends:
Jan 2: polar bear
Jan 5: shark
March 31: dragonfly
May 1: tarantula
July 29: turtle
Nov 24: cougar