Saturday, May 23, 2009

Culver City Slut

She pulled out a can of whipped cream and shook it with her left hand, 12 o.z. glass in the other.   Two parts Stoli Vanilla one part Kahlua, coke and cream on top.  What, precisely about this libation equated neighborhood slutation?  Perhaps it was the white head, that only lasted seconds between the tipple presentation that was then tossed in a stainless steal shaker, blending the brown liquid with the white, until a creamy tan fluid, over ice and topped with a cherry was handed to me barside.  I exchanged seven dollars for this service, and imbibed.

Who knows if this was really the cocktail of promiscuous champions, though the magical concoction certainly ignited my taste buds while planted on a stool at the The Backstage.  

 

As I eyed the drink menu at this neighborhood dive, I began to conjure up the many strange names of freaky cocktails.   While this city slut drink was specific to Culver, I wondered if other vicinity bodegas paid homage to their sex workers by naming drinks after them?    What a kind way to respect the street-walking underworld.

 

The first time I ever heard of one of these erotically entitled drinks was while living in a commune in Berkeley. It was my second year in Community College and I was living at Stebbins Co-op, which housed 60 students, mostly from Cal.  It was one massive house near UC Berkeley with three main floors and a basement.  As per co-op ritual, every semester we had a party called “Room-to-Room”  in which each room created it’s own drink so that people walked, or stumbled,  from room to room trying different mind-altering fluids.   I occupied the very last room on the top floor, so by the time my housemates fumbled to my room, they could barely swallow.   This was also quite entertaining because I was sober, serving a virgin cocktail, which disappointed the bulk of my drunken comrades.

 

That night one of my housemates asked if I was a fan of “sex on the beach”.  He handed me a pinkish liquid and incited me to dip my tongue in the sweet stinging potion.  It’s one of those drinks that sounds tasty in theory, but put together create an awkward flavor. The mixture of vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry and orange juice looks cute, although its taste dismatches it’s appearance, which is probably reflective of actual sex on a beach, which, depending on how you work it out, could be really disastrous. I don’t know, maybe it’s because I’ve spent a lot of time on coastlines, but sand gets up in every crevice and, well, you get the picture.

 

There are some incredibly freaky drinks out there, depending on which bars one frequents.   You have the classic “Blow Job” which is vodka, Kahlua and Bailey’s in a shot glass, topped with whipped cream, which you must consume without using your hands.  Granted I find that a little discriminatory, as hands are quite useful.  But hey, in the land of the tongue-less, the one tongue-mouth is blow-job Queing.

 

We’ve all had the fuzzy navel, slippery nipple, and pink panties, although I recently discovered some new drink erotica.  Take the LEG SPREADER #2 for example ( I don’t know what’s in #1).  It consists of Midori, Malibu, Pineapple Juice, and 7 up which is served over ice.  I haven’t actually seen this drink, so I don’t know how it spreads legs…

 

 Oh wait, I think I know…

 

Some of these drinks will really sneak up on you, so watch out. One time I was in Rio at Lapa, where on the weekends the streets are filled with young people spilling out of the many little bars that play reggae, funk (Brazilian Hip Hop), Samba, and Rock.  For those who wish not to shell out too many Reais at a real establishment, one can cop devilish potions at the many drink stalls where vendors serve cocktails over ice or blended.  Extension chords spider every which way, providing illumination to the little stands and power to the over-worked blenders.  You can get a proper sized drink for a buck or two, or you can get a super sized compound for a wee bit more. 

 

One night I was showing some friends from UCLA around, when I decided to try a drink that looked like a strawberry milkshake.  It contained condensed milk, strawberries and Rum.  The cup was about 12 onces, of which about 8 of those oz. was Rum.  When I tried it, the alcohol was barely noticeable, and I was hungry at the same time, and so since it contained fruit and milk I thought why not sip it up real quick and have another?  This I did a few times and what happened after that is a whole other story…

 

I also found a recipe for a cocktail entitled PANTY DROPPER, which like its leg spreading counterpart, contains vodka, Malibu and pineapple juice, though this one adds peach schnapps and orange juice.  I guess you should wear pants while drinking this?

 

Because all of these drinks seem to be woman-centric or misogynistic, we cannot forget about the men beyond their blow jobs, with a drink suitable named Sweaty Balls.  This perspiring drink calls for Gin, Apricot Brandy, Dry Bermouth, and lemon juice.  Please shake well, with two hands.

 

Our final co-gender drink is entitled The Ultimate Climax which has Amaretto, club soda, coconut cream, raspberry liquer, and sweet & sour mix.

 

One of the exciting aspects about obtaining these drinks, is the process of ordering them.  You’re leaning over a bar, legs brushed up against some stranger, shouting at the bar tender who has to read your lips since the deafening tunes prevent easy listening for your cocktail requests.  You shout, “Hey, can I have sex on the beach?”   “Or how’s the blow job, today?”  What do you think is better, “Sweaty balls or The Ultimate Climax?”   Decisions Decisions. 

Saturday, May 9, 2009

To the woman who destroyed a Brazilian Apartment single-handedly

(The lines are all taken from messages people have written me over the past five months)

Cassandra,

please don't feel stalked

you were memorable for your Portuguese

I've got a shaved head

I looked over my shoulder and recognized you as that

interesting lady from craigslist

want to grab a scoop of Persian ice cream?

 

thank’s for that awesome peeing story

I'm hoping I can cajole you to meet me

your Swahili is very good

funny thing is that we know one another

 

your post is so interesting and artistic

but, what’s up with the anger?

are you a new lesbian, hun?

don't be in a big hurry

to slap a label on your ass

& define yourself

the most beautiful miracle is to let life happen

 

care to have a verbal poetic challenge?

 

Cassie

I thought you forgot about me

you are so sweet

I just think you are an incredible young woman

but stay out of the handicapped stalls

 

I am a sucker for red heads

let me cook you some plátanos

rice y gandules con chuletas

calamares

beans with fried chicken

beef stew with peppers, onions, corn, peas, and carrots

over white rice

 

hi Ashura

hii ni picha yangu

I am a vegan empath and you flatter me

what got you interested in African studies?

Interested in meeting up in Mauritius?

Mozambique?

that picture of you with a black top and green bead necklace

speaks of radiant energy and beauty

are you as much of a dreamer as I think you are?

stars in the eyes?

 

eu li seu post no Craiglist e adorei!

voce é uma garota inteligentíssima!

 

Te amo tanto com mais tempo

 

ENGLISH - WE SPEAK ENGLISH IN THIS COUNTRY, FOOL!

 

do you know Prof. **** *******? 

I had an affair with her…

you speak her language

 

Madame

I noticed that some women's standard's

are higher than the Chrysler building

the last time we spoke

I think I was in a strange place spiritually

thus I could not call you because

I WOULD HAVE WANTED TO MEET

seduce you into having wild sex

because I had been so lonely

but I am much better

 

you made my sides split

when you said

that the only sport you were into

was Tonsil hockey

maybe we could play together sometime?

 

Love

I do enjoy a good pee tale

that was the best shit I ever read

you sound fascinating

really romantic and sensitive

would u like to try a pregnant girl?

BF will not be there

 

you amaze me

something  gorgeous about those hair & eyes

we have even worked together

never would I've imagined that you were into chicks

I have never dated a vampire

but I have been in several polygamous relationships

with woman and man

is that you're natural hair color on that picture?

are you in the mood for some fun?

 

I'm aware you ladies

regardless of your ages

will NEVER have to wake up one "Grey-haired" morning

so long as Beauty Shops survive the coming financial crisis

 

I'm glad that you had a ball in Ghana

I am in love with India

you look like a kind of person

that my friends from Spain, Argentina, USA, Mexico, Venezuela, etc...

will like to meet

 

I think you're terrific

one of the most authentic

people I have seen on here

spend a cool night with me

medical herbs

and some mind-altering drinks

u ever did 3sum?

 

by the way...

as per our first meeting,

Oscar Wilde said,

"Too much rouge and not enough

clothes are a sign of desperation in a woman."

I disagree!

I like that look!

though, I anticipate we will both be wearing jeans

at our first meet and greet

 

You are a very interesting gal

you move and you shake

I’ve been looking for you

I also boycott Wal-Mart

 

if I were your type I'd be all over you

Unfortunately I'm not

I'm too old for you babe (39)

 

chronological age is a strange creepy thing

 

Soy de Guatemala

¿quién eres? 

 

I am an Egypt Muslim woman

In the Qu’ran it says that men should not sleep with other men

It says nothing of other women

Though I don't drink

I watch others imbibe

 

Darling

neglecting the illumination was probably not the best of ideas...

that's one of the things that keep the roaches at bay, you know ;)

 

you broke me into a million tiny pieces

with your poem

a friend of mine wrote a book called "Believing Cassandra"

 

teach me everything you know

expectations and anticipations

are the surest way to disappointment

the best way to nurture the spirit

is to go to what may inspire you

 

you seem like a hoot

two weeks in West Africa

sound like a better use of spring break

than shouting poetry on a street corner

 

I don’t know anyone who has been attacked

by a lion or struck by lightning

so let’s get together

 

words are beautiful but

flawed representations of a person's reality and

therein lies the kernel of objectification

you're not offended

are you?

 

 

well I have to say you are adorable

I'm free

shall we meet somewhere near you?

The world is a scary place

thanks for your verbal dexterity

and creative urinary responses

 

I wish I didn't have to drive back so we could get a little drunk together…

 

spend a few days away from all the bullshit

secluded only with what inspires you

go to the depth and stay away for the action

stay away from the action

 

It is a porte-manteau

namorado + marido

yes a Carnaval

but only a representation of a carnaval

a boyfriend you live with

 

I just read your ad

am amazed at how much

you chose to share

you seem remarkably down-to-earth

I hope I'm right in assuming

that nobody with a plan to send unsuspecting guys

to a bogus dating website would work so hard

 

I'm sorry I've been such a stranger

I promise not to be a strange for too long

 

Love

"As a mestiza I have no country

my homeland cast me out

yet all countries are mine

because I am every woman's sister or potential lover" Anzaldua

 

you have explored the world more than I have

am very much impressed towards you

my apologies that this is in English

I don’t understand you

but cute is cute in any country

I’d like to be your friend

do you like sailing?

 

I saw you at the intersection of Westwood and Santa Monica

and felt like saying "Tudo bom" to listen if "tudo bem" would be the response

 If that were the case I would have said

"¿Te gustaría un cafecito?"

I didn't say anything

because at such a random moment

it may have seemed uncanny

you convey an air of experience

open-mindedness

tolerance

and wisdom

 

meet me somewhere

and screw the hell out of me

or just be my friend

I work in Culver City

so the screw me

be my friend part

is quite local indeed

 

Call me at 213.621.2761

 

umenyamaza kweli!

natumaini mambo yote yako sawa!

 

can't believe you haven't been snatched up yet?

could it be that you are a bit selective?

are you lesbian?

 

I am in Iraq and looking for a girl to sleep with my man

you're a great storyteller

conjured up very vivid imagery

bravo

unfortunately we had to meet this way

 

you are beautiful inside and out

I wish I were closer to you

but I am all the way in Oklahoma

so I wish u the best of luck

I've never had a girlfriend either

 

hi do you need any more Spanish lessons?

I can teach you

I really like you

 

traveler,

that was a poignant story

you wrote about your friend

if you have no plans for tonight

drive to Anaheim and meet

some fun and cute girls from Brazil

 

I didn't mean that we'd meet at Peet's

with any intentions to go onto a make-out session

but tell me

Cassandra

what are you looking for?

would you like a playmate? 

soul mate? 

friend? 

lover?

 

you don't have to reply back,

I just want you to know I think you're adorable.

your story is fascinating

I doubt seriously 

anything romantic could happen between us

but I am certain that we could enjoy each other’s company

on occasion

so, if you need a ride

or something

let me know

 

hello there gorgeous

I just love fair skin with red hair

I would love to play

let's have a contest

you say it Portuguese and I translate it to Italian

 

you're a hot woman.

I’d do ya in a heartbeat...

I mean...ahem(clearing throat)...

I’d enjoy having a drink with you and discussing photography

 

you deserve a prince charming

on a white horse

or whatever to show up and yadda yadda yadda

but until that guy shows up

why not practice on my old ass?

 

I have a teen daughter

I respect a woman who speaks her mind

I’m a man

is this a problem for you?

 

hello Stranger!

when do I get to meet you?

Between the two of us

we could probably publish a book...

some kind of "Dummies" guide for

"economically challenged" apartment living?

 

awesome Pamplona story

but a better ending would've been

if one of those bulls had rammed into the Port-a-potty

sending you and everything else flying skyward in a heap

 

Thank God there are people like you

you seem to be really well rounded

me

I’m still a little rough around the edges

 

 

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Poem - The Smudging, in Video Format

Monday, May 4, 2009

From Porn to Portuguese: Some Reflections on a Recent Conversation

So remember when I told you about my friend’s host family in Brazil who showed us porn for no apparent reason? At the time I unrealized the scholastic value of these films of the flesh, since our host had intended on teaching the importance of condom use. Today while conversating with a new friend I learned that pornography is not only used by Brazilians to shock American exchange students, but is in fact shown in the academic setting in a sociology class on sexuality at UC Irvine.

I thought I had taken some liberal classes, but none seem to stretch the limitations of what one is used to discussing in class as much as this particular sociology course. When I was in community college and living in a commune in Berkeley, we had a class in the co-op from Good Vibrations about how to use different toys, films and accessories to safely expand one’s pleasurable activities. While in the classroom we’d seen the good-old wooden phallus and it’s latex accompaniment, we’d learned of lube and logistics, but we certainly didn’t watch porn as a group.

Well, that is almost not true since while studying abroad in Portugal some students did gather in the common area of our dorm in Porto to drink sparkling wine and catch a fleshy effort on late-night TV, though I missed out on these bonding activities. However, this wasn’t part of a class at a university.

My friend tells me that this course brought every possible aspect of sexuality to the fore, inspiring students to question and reexamine preconceived notions of what was possible, actual and perhaps, factual. On one group activity a TA initiated a game called “The Truth Bowl” where everyone in the class had to respond to questions about sexual activities, anonymously, then the bowl would circulate and each class member would read a response aloud. On the question of “what is your fantasy” at least three of the students responded that they had wanted to have sex with the TA, which my friend would have written as well but opted not to in an attempt to spare the TA some embarrassment.

This got me to thinking about teaching and you never know what is going on in your student’s heads. I mean, I know what goes on in my head while sitting in classes and attending lectures, while watching people speak in various capacities and I somehow got to thinking that no one would ever have any thoughts at all in their heads beyond grammar and culture questions when it came to me being in front of them and running my mouth.

Just think about it: you’re up there talking to a group of people and they’re staring at you. Maybe they’re listening to what you have to say, maybe their sending text messages, maybe their stomachs are growling and they’re thinking they cannot wait to get out of there to get some food. Maybe they really have to pee. Or they’re mentally criticizing your appearance, or the way you’re talking, or the silly gestures you make. I mean really, what in the hell is going on in there? Sometimes I really wish I could read minds. And then I think, um, maybe not…

My informant on this sexuality class was involved as both a student and later, instructor and told me that the professor of this course had gathered all her teachers and warned them not to date, kiss or sleep with any of her students. Then I realized that I was never told this when I began to teach. Granted, there may have been some sort of Teaching Rules guide book I was supposed to read, but who actually reads those things?

One of my friends/students from Greece who is a TA for History told me that he was instructed not to touch his students or engage in certain types of inappropriate contact. Because in many cultures it is normal to greet everyone with a kiss or two on the cheek, he assumed this would be acceptable behavior, though was warned this would be call for sexual harassment. When I see my Brazilian professors either male or female, we greet each other with a kiss on each cheek because it’s normal. Although I tend not to kiss my students. I mean, I tend not to greet them with kisses on the cheek if they are male, just because you never know what sorts of signals are being sent.

I say this because one evening in downtown Berkeley my friend Marcela and I who are both brasileiristas were saying goodbye and were giving each other a kiss on each cheek, per our custom. Then this man starting clapping and hollering, “YEAH!!!” thinking we were about to make-out. Not so much…

This conversation today made me think , as I always do, about the lines we draw between students and teachers and our notions of what is appropriate in the classroom. Granted, I’m not really good at following those things we call “rules”, although I never imagined myself as that TA with her truth bowl. But then again, every subject calls for it’s own pedagogical vibe. I mean, there is only so much I can say since children may be watching, but I think if we say and do everything, there will be nothing left to question.

I have a friend who was my student two years ago who asked me the other day if she could ask me about who I was dating. She said she wasn’t sure how much she could say to me since I was her TA. To which I taught her to ask me anything. Shoot, class is over, so if the school cut’s off the checks, I cut off the rules. It was sweet of her to ask though, unlike that other student I had who burst out in the middle of a grammar lesson and questions, “Do you have a boyfriend?” What I really should have said was, “What makes you ask if I don’t have a girlfriend? And why, are you looking for a date?” I wouldn’t have dated her, not my type. And then there was the other one who asked if I would move in with him. I was like, um, if you’re paying the rent, give me the address and I’ll be there on Monday. Kidding. Well, sort of…

I remember one day I was speaking in front of a class that was in a different department and as I was standing at the front of the room talking I realized that I was staring at a sea of breasts. All of the girls had low-cut shirts that illuminated their various cups and I began to think about the many professors who must enjoy their daily academic peep shows. So, that is the secret to straight A’s…

On the other side of this spectrum is what teachers – from subs to full-blown professors - think of their students. While teachers are being stared at, so are students. Sometimes you’re up there listening to a response and thinking what a cute accent he or she has and the person is a grad student or will be a grad student after they graduate so what’s the harm? And all of a sudden you’re caught up and about to get fired because you’re sprung.

Just kidding.

Sike.

Craigslist Stories: Vol. I

When the merda hit the fan last week about the Boston Craigslist killer, Takiah sent me a text message warning me about meeting people from the internet. Granted, these people are not cyber beings, they are human, like moi, and have found that our dear pal Craig has provided a useful gratis forum for expanding ones, um, “social circles”.

My circles have been expanding ever since five months ago when I tossed up my first picture and a silly blurb about myself in a twisted game of fate on new-years-eve. After I proved that I had the courage to actually test the cyber waters, it took a few weeks before I learned to swim. Once I was able to doggie paddle, I began making laps across the sea.

Later, other friends warned me about the dangers of cyberic connections and made me promise not to meet any more people through the list. I vowed not to meet any more men through Craig but they didn’t think to make me even out the gender options so I’ve still got some room to maneuver before breaking my promise…

Actually, I broke this promise last night after having a discussion with a friend about Craig over enchiladas at Cinco de Mayo. My friend and I were chewing tortillas and recounting our various curious encounters made possible by our Craig, which was in fact how the two of us had met in the first place. Truthfully, we had re-met since we discovered on our first meeting that we had been in class together at UC Berkeley. Small world? Bob’s your uncle.

If I’m not married in the world, then I’m single in this country, that’s what we like to tell myself. Yes, that is what I meant to say. Moving on, it seems a clandestine and marginal act to initiate amorously charged encounters through the use of the internet, but there is something incredibly adrenalinezing about the process. It is slightly more exciting then how I acquired my last ficante while folding my jeans in the little laundry house. He’s cute, but bores me to death so instead of walking out my door to a convenient date with my neighbor, I’m off to Pasadena for drinks with a UCLA alumni who I’ve never met previously, and surprises me with the claim that he had an affair with a professor who I know but doubt that she would leave her husband for this twerp and after three glasses of champagne I suck the story out of him and even though it’s hard to hear over club pop, I decipher his distorted perceptions of what he wanted to have had occurred. And that’s another story…

Let me just tell you that in terms of meeting men, it’s a time-consuming process to screen through responses although the best result of the male-meeting is that I actually acquired a few friends who surprised me with their serious platonicness. Arguably, the same holds true for the women, who I would like to believe are less threatening, although I am just hoping there are no female counterparts to the Boston Craigslist Killer lurking in the virtual bushes.

One of the most fascinating or frightening aspects to the posting of an add in Craigland is the chance of being recognized by someone who knows you. Now, I probably put way too much information about myself out there since secrets are against my religion and I won’t be running for president so this shouldn’t be held against me, which means that people who know me in the slight bit, will have no doubt as to what they are reading or seeing should my post come upon them. Coincidently all of the posts that were seen by people I know who I am aware of were women with the exception of one man, seeing as how I am a peoplian, I like to be equal.

A few times it was simply friends who mentioned someone they knew who saw my posts, although I had not communicated with these illusive friends personally. Later there was the friend from CAL who responded to an add in Portuguese (only makes sense we studied Portuguese together) and then there was, more interestingly, a person who happened to be best friends with one of my colleagues at UCLA. Last week I got a message from an old co-workers from Berkeley who saw me on the list in the LA network and is on her way to Lost Angeles. That was random. And my favorite response of the week comes from a guy named Brandon who saw me this week. Although, I didn’t see him. This puzzle left me with a few questions:

1.Have you ever been recognized by a stranger on his way to the California Chicken Café on Santa Monica?
2. And if so, have you ever been recognized by a stranger who you thought knew you even though you’d never seen them, knowing they might know your pictures from “the list”?

The answer to this question came to me this evening while occupying the middle stall of the ladies’ loo. I was on the thrown when I pulled the cell phone named after a popular bush fruit out of my pocket and clicked open my email inbox. There, was an email from a guy who calls himself Brandon and said that he saw me the other day at lunchtime.

His descriptions accurately depicted the one-day of neverness that I actually stroll along the boulevard near that particular poultry café. I had had a first-time thing-of-sorts that I couldn’t really call a date but I suppose we could slap the name “encounter” on the event and call it a day. Anyway, me and this individual who probably wishes to remain anonymous because sunglasses were worn the entire time we had coffee and I never saw the eyes. After not seeing, I set down the road to Cost Plus to buy some wine.

This mystery man who knows what I look like since my image has accompanied my post took the time out to stop and recognize me, though opted against speech. On his way to pick up lunch at CCC he saw me at the intersection of Westwood and Santa Monica and felt like saying “Tudo bom” to listen if “tudo bem” would be the response. If that were the case he would have asked me for coffee, in Spanish, or so he wrote.

During the 30 second window period for skidaddling across the wide street, there was a moment in which a young man stopped and stared at me as if he knew me. I was still processing my previous encounter so it wasn’t until I got this email that I realized who he was. Still, I cannot picture his face, although I know that it was him. Strangely enough, he found me on the list. He remembered me as that girl from craigslist who posts interesting stories.

In truth, I know nothing about posting personal adds. I don’t follow the rules, I just scribal tid bits about me, and stories. I write stories because I fall in love with people through their words. And laughter. If you crack me up and compliment me you’ll never get rid of me. For example, a person that I go to school with but didn’t know very well until this weekend did this to me today and I went crazy. Crazy like I need to concentrate because I have three papers to write but crazy like I don’t care. Crazy like I’m delirious from not sleeping for two days and I probably shouldn’t be telling you this, but what does “should” have to do with me?

The moral of this story is that, well, I’m glad this isn’t Boston. No, you can’t judge all users of the list, and in an urban jungle as disconnected as Lost Angeles, Craig helps people find each other from time to time…