Acceptance of Our Differences

In my life I have been truly blessed. I was born into a generation where many before us have fought battles for us in order for us to be just a little bit more free. I was born into a society where I could be gay and not be scared of being persecuted. I am blessed to be able to hold my wife's hand and not feel shame. Unfortunately, not every society, not every generation and not all genders have that opportunity.

The LGBT community is a minority community. In some cities there are large groups committed to providing help and support. However in some areas they don't have strong communities. Within the community there is discrimination towards each other. An example would be against the transgender community. Lesbians towards transgender men, gay males towards transgender women. Is it not enough that straight people discriminate but we feel the need to do it to each other.

I hate discrimination with a passion because it so often stems from hypocracy. So many times people dislike others because they hate that about themselves. For many homophobic people they have feelings within themselves that they either do not accept or do not understand.

I recently read of a story of a transgender male who was made fun of by butch lesbians and their femme girlfriends.  Butch and femme couples will often encounter men who will say offensive statements such as: 'Let me show you what a real man can do.' It's like dealing with children. I worked with children for over 10 years, I was a kid (teenager) myself when I started. "Do unto others as you want done to you." Even they understand that simple concept.

I was 12 when a 8 year old boy said "I'm a girl trapped in a boy's body." For as long as I had known him he just seemed to have a lot of female tendencies and then when he blurted this out it made sense to me and I went on with my childhood.  The fact that he was so young and he seemed to comprehend that concept was a bit peculiar. He understood the concept that he didn't feel comfortable in his own skin but he had an idea of what comfort he was seeking. On top of that his parents were teachers who constantly tried talking to him to understand what he was going through. We all just wrote it off as he was gay. Now I think he may have become a Drag Queen or transgender.

What I want you to understand is that sometimes we just don't feel comfortable in our own skin. A person can feel that societies ideas or norms for their gender don't make them feel comfortable. As a human race we evolve. As societies we move forward we adjust to fit. We adjust to what is comfortable and what our views are. All that we ever want to do is be comfortable with who we are so who are you to judge and bully someone else if you have your own so called faults.

No one will ever be perfect. No one will ever be a perfect fit for a label and its stereotypes. This is why you have to accept that everyone is different. You do not have to accept the why but it try to understand it. Do not judge others if they are not harming anyone. It is not your job to judge it is your job to live your life to the fullest without hurting others. Until you are in someone else's exact position you will not understand them. Remember you never know what is going on in someone else's head. Your comment could be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Do you want to hold someone's life in your hand? Do you want to be responsible for the death of a human being? I sure as hell don't. Then again I know that others are different, will always be different and we just have to accept it and embrace it.

SEX

Let's talk about sex baby, let's talk about you and me.

Now it isn't a taboo or at least it shouldn't be. If there's one thing I am willing to talk about its sex. If anyone knows anything about me it is that I write Lesbian Erotica. I read all sorts of books and I have favorites like everyone else. After many years of trying to figure out what I like, writing is highest on the list. I'm generally considered a Lesbian and I'm cool with that. I mean I dated girls, my wife's a woman so yea I'm a lesbian.

Now because I identify with that sexuality I like to read about others relationships. I live in LA and most people think that we are just like the characters on The L Word or The Real L word. Now that isn't absolutely wrong because my wife is a make up artist and works for companies during Fashion week. I myself work, well its safer for me to not say what I do, this life and that life don't exactly mesh too well. But what I love to do is Cook and Write, two of my biggest hobbies.

That being said I'm sure all Lesbians must have encountered at some point some difficulty with finding someone with similar interest to you.Well when I started writing it was an outlet for me to reach others just like me. Give them an idea of what life is like out there. My stories include a lot of truth to them and that's the fun part deciphering the truth from the fantasy.

Going further I have to say that sex can be such a touchy subject for so many people. It doesn't have to be. Sex is natural as long as it is between two consenting adults I say go for it, just be safe.

Now if you asked me about sex in High School; I looked away I wasn't going to talk about it, hell most of my friends were straight so hearing about straight sex was worse, I couldn't understand why anyone wanted to do it. Then I became  lesbian and figured out ways of having orgasms and I was like wait my friends never talk about that part. All that other stuff means nothing compared to the release of euphoria when you're just so tense. When you don't even want to move because you just want to enjoy the bliss. I'm getting ahead of myself.

Just remember sex isn't a taboo subject, especially not with your partner. Talk about like and dislikes, preferences and hell even fantasies they may just surprise you and maybe you can surprise them too. Be open to new ideas to share with each other and be willing to listen as you expect them to listen to you. Don't be scared because of everything you may have been told growing up. I promise you there is nothing wrong with enjoying sex between two hot and horny consenting adults.

M Street Kitchen

M Street Kitchen is my favorite restaurant in Santa Monica. Now I'm not from the there but this is my favorite restaurant if I am in the area. 

To start with there is a parking lot underneath the building and there is street parking if necessary. That right there is a plus for me because I hate looking for parking or the lack thereof. 

The ambiance is perfect on the few occasions that I have visited. The staff have all been very friendly and helpful. You can enjoy sitting inside and outside. Outside they are sure to sit you near a heating lamp which creates the perfect environment for a romantic night or an evening with friends.

Next there was the menu I have gone in the evening for happy hour and in the morning for brunch and breakfast; both menus offer a variety of food without overwhelming you. They offer your basic items but don't be fooled there is nothing basic about the taste. Each and every single item taste fresh and especially made just for you. The wait time for our food was appropriate with the meals. 

As we sat down water was brought to us which was perfect because it gives you time to think of a drink you may want without feeling so thirsty and rushing to decide what you want. You get your own glass bottle for your table and more if necessary.

Now to start we had the Nachos, which were topped with chicken, cheese, guacamole, cilantro,  and a tomato sauce. They were everyone's favorite right out of the gate. 

Pulled Chicken Nachitos 

 For all those like me who love California roll but don't always have it readily available, theirs was pretty good. 

California Roll

 Next was the Organic tomato gazpacho, which is a treat to say. This was a tomato based soup served cold. Now I think it would have gone perfect with a grilled cheese but it was good anyways. 

Organic Tomato Gazpacho

The cheeseburger was the star of the show for some. It was the best thing many had eaten, the meat was tender, juicy and tasted fresh. Now a burger for me can be tricky because a lot of restaurants overcook the meat, but they got it just right. With plenty of cheese and just big enough to fit into my mouth. It is worth ordering this delectable little morsel. 

The Cheeseburger

 For me however my Pièce de résistance  was the fried chicken. Now some of you may be thinking why would you go with the fried chicken of all things on the menu. I  will tell you why because so many people get it wrong. Friend chicken can be dry, it can be oily, it can be all together wrong. But not at M Street. I mean the chicken was perfectly hot, moist all around, perfectly crispy. It was fried chicken done right.  The cole slaw was a good side dish but the biscuit was heaven on a plate. Now on the side you get honey and a poblano honey butter and that my friend was perfect on anything. You know what I mean that one sauce that goes great with everything. Well the Paula Deen in me came out and I wanted butter on everything. 

Country-fried chicken

 They also offer a wide variety of drink but if you love Sangria like my wife does I recommend the white one. I didn't try red but I like the white and I don't like Sangria so that says a lot. 

White Sangria

 Needless to say if I am in the area rest assured that I will be eating at M Street Kitchen. Happy Eating to everyone.

M Street Kitchen 

200 Main Street Santa Monica, CA

(310) 396-9145

Christmas 2012

Christmas Dinner was a family affair. You have food and you have presents what more could you want. Peace and happiness in the world? I'm asking too much, yeah I know.

Growing up Christmas Eve was the big day. I don't know if it's the same for others, but for our family Christmas wasn't a big deal. You see for us we spend Christmas Eve making this big meal and eat in the afternoon with any family that comes over to exchange presents.

I remember going to other houses and getting dressed up when I was younger. We would walk in with presents and hand them out and then people would offer us a meal and of course you say yes. Unless, now here's the kicker, unless you have made plans to eat at someone else's house. As a kid I hated that part because you're hungry all day you can't eat and then you have to drive around to people's houses that smell like heaven, torture.

Finally when you arrive at the house which your parents have agreed to eat at you feel like you can inhale and breath in all the wonderful smells. You exchange presents and then bam plates are handed to you. You don't even have to sit at a table because there are so many people and not enough seats. I would just find a nice spot on a couch where my drink was easily accessible. That was awesome for me. Once we were done eating you would hang out with the kid closest to you in age and wait to either go home or for midnight to open presents.

Once morning came along it was time for opening presents and that was Christmas for me. Now that I'm older and cook the meals and we no longer visit anyone its all about the meals. My parents have stopped trying to guess what I want so a few days before they ask what I want and I usually order it online or drag them with me to the store so they hand the nice person their credit card.

Now for the rundown of our wonderful meal. For dinner I went non-traditional, because I just hate being predictable and I like trying new things.

Every holiday everyone whines for the last couple of hours before the meal that they're hungry and when will the food be ready. So this time I made nachos as an appetizer. Using festive red and green chips a layer of beans, a layer of cheese, another of chips, a layer of beans, cheese, chicken and more cheese. Lastly was the sour cream and guacamole.


Next was a blue cheese, pecan salad with a red wine vinegrette.

Along with Caprese. 

Then came the main course, potato salad, chorizo with a pesto sauce, forbidden rice, honey glazed ham and garlic bread.

Potato Salad

Forbidden Rice

Garlic Bread

Unfortunately, the family was so hungry that a few items were unavailable for pictures.  

Honey glazed ham

So until I see you again in a few days when the next meal is served, enjoy your left overs. 

LACMA

Museums are made to be enjoyed. When I was growing up I remember going and never understanding what was so exciting. Then again for some reason in High School they thought that we should go to the Museum of Tolerance. Now if you have never been or don't know what it is let me explain. It is a museum where they challenge the visitor to understand the Holocaust as it was then and how it affects us now. It is very difficult to go through the whole museum and not question what is wrong with humanity.

As I am older and have a better understanding of life I have tried museums again with new eyes. I recently went to LACMA and I am glad that my wife wanted to go. 

There are several buildings with different forms of art. My favorite part is the fact that you are in the presence of what our society reveres as greatness. They have a few pieces from Andy Warhol, Claude Monet, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. Now I am not an art enthusiast but I can appreciate history. These artist have influenced art for years now.  

Seeing the beauty in art is in the eye of the beholder. Now I do not have a preference for any artist in particular but that is because my knowledge of art is very minuscule, but growing. Although I personally prefer Picasso's earlier work, I'm not really clear on what was going on in his later cubism work. They also have several sculptures by him and Matisse. Picasso's work was said to be influenced by Matisse and together they revolutionized  the arts.

Later work

Early work

They have a Ken Price exhibition, with pieces which are made of clay and finely painted. These sculptures are very abstract and up for interpretation as to what they look like. It is beautiful to see the intricacy with which these items are made. Try doing a psychology experiment of your own to see what comes to mind when you look at each object. 

My favorite was a section of art from the 1950's which was more to my liking. They have a few pieces by Andy Warhol, which are the ones I recognized. Especially the Campbell's soup can.

The last item on the agenda was the Levitated Mass. A lot of people have heard about this piece of rock because of the cost, the time and the journey of this rock. 

Cost: $10,000,000 (YES, $10 Million) 

Time: 1969-2012 (43 years)

Journey: 105 Miles 

Levitated Mass


I am not a fan of the work but I respect that some may see beauty in it.

Urban Lights



202 Cast Iron lamps that once graced the beautiful city of Los Angeles. They look symmetrical but from different vantage points they form different angles and perspectives.

Lastly we have a few pictures of art I found interesting or relevant to my life. I hope you enjoy your trip as much as I did. If you're wondering why I didn't have more pictures of the more famous artists well FYI not all galleries allow pictures.

Alice in Wonderland 

This was my view in their huge elevator.  It fits a lot of people. 

This piece is the crossing of main streets in LA; Santa Monica, Melrose and La Brea. When you live in LA knowing where these streets are is pretty relevant. 

This was a tree my wife took a picture that she really liked but now can't remember anything about it.   Oops

Walter de Maria's: The 2000 Sculpture.  It's a play on the positions of each item and some rows have different shaped items. I don't really understand it but apparently they are separated by very specific measurements. 

Being Sick

 I'm sorry I have been away but I have been sick. With wonderful infections such as swollen tonsils, coughing, aches, fevers, runny nose well you get the point. It started on Monday and refuses to give up but I had no choice but to push on since I had to work all day. Finally after a few days I spoke to my mother and she heard I was sick and she reminded me of why I don't tell her I am sick.

I figured I would give you insight into a few home made remedies. Also a few not so home made but trustworthy amongst Hispanic families.

1- Gargle with a mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide 3% and water 50/50 and don't swallow. (Tonsil
infection)

2- Gargle with salt water just some salt in water. (Tonsil infection, sore throat, coughing)

3- Ginger tea- 2 Cups of water, 1/2 cup of ginger root sliced, a cinnamon stick and the juice of one lemon.  Bring to a boil and let simmer for about 10 minutes. It will be spicy because of the ginger so if you're not a fan put less. When you drink a cup you can add honey according to your sweet tooth.

 

 4- Vick's Vapo Rub- You can rub it anywhere and everywhere in their opinion. Main places to rub chest, back, arm pits, soles of your feet and nose. Any where else is at your own risk. It will also help with acne for some people. All this is at your own risk, read the label for appropriate uses.

5- When taking a shower add rubbing alcohol to the water. You can fill a bucket if you have one and just use some sort of object to pour it on yourself. Keep away from eyes or open wounds. Remember all at your own risk.

6- Lastly and the most recently added is Thera-flu. Self explanatory just follow the label on the box.