*TRUE STORY*
Two Thanksgivings ago, I didn't eat all day, thinking I would save my appetite for the tremendous dinner which would be forthcoming. After having two heaping servings of all of the below menu items, I was very satiated and ready to relax. Lo and behold, Auntie Ruth arrived with her Guamanian Red Rice and her Pork Adobo. "You must have some!" she insisted. [You know how Filipino Aunties are] So to please her I took a serving of each. BIG MISTAKE. I could not finish the plate, and, worst of all, about 30 minutes later I had to go outside and THROW UP! You could say it was unintentional bulimia. NO kidding! My stomach and body said "NO!" and all of it ended up on the street.

But anyway, let's get on to:

No Tations' Family Thanksgiving Menu

Dinuguan
Lumpia
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Rice
Deviled Eggs
Biscuits
Lasagna
Pecan Pie
Apple Pie
Chessecake
Stuffing
and of course, Turkey

The story of Thanksgiving is a bunch of bullsh!t, but hey, enjoy the food, I am!

Wish me and the Alameda boyz luck in the Turkey Bowl taking place in San HOE!

Make Mine Music

~No Tations~

It's Tuesday, and once again, here's No Tations'

BITTER TUESDAY LIST

1. Freakin' 49ers looked like [insert worst Braveheart accent here] "A BONCHA CrrrrrOP!!"
2. The Golden State Warriors are still blowing leads in the 4th period.
3. I thought 3 semesters off would cure me, but I've caught the PROCASTINATION disease again.
4. I have so much $$ that it seems that I'll be shopping for my gifts on December 22nd again this year.
5. We're supposed to be having a party bus for my brother's bday [and other friends] but so far, only 3 people have tickets. Those three are me and my two brothers.
6. If there are a lot of women who don't want commitment and just a piece of @ss, then why the hell haven't I met them yet...[which leads to...]
7. No @SS countdown -- 1 year, 2 months, 3.3 weeks. SH!T

till the next time

[Hillsdale Mall pre-Xmas Rush]

I had a great weekend. Got drunk on Friday (read the letter to Ecks below), watched Die Another Day on Saturday, then got drunk again with the esPACEsial core [2001-2002] from SF State. One day of sobriety mixed around two of inebriety [is that actually a word?]

The SFSU Chamber Singers are currently practicing for two upcoming December concerts, on the 8th and on the 13th, both in the city, and both are going to be good!

The University Chorus had a concert on Sunday at St. Paul's church on 29th and Valley [the Sister Act Church]. It was beautiful!! We were inspired and thus sang our best concert yet.

Seems like No Tations will be at both Serramonte and Hillsdale this upcoming Xmas Shopping Season. I work at Great Earth Vitamins. At Hillsdale, it's located on the second floor near Mervyn's and at Serramonte we're located on the Macy's side of the mall in the side hall across from Taco Bell. Come by and look for a 5' 5" Pinoy with a #2 guard cut.

Did I mention James Bond goes to Cuba in the new movie? Here are some pics from my visit.

Make Mine Music

~No Tations~

[It's late....]

Just saw Die Another Day. It's cornier than most Bond movies but still cool. I'm a mark for franchises. Although the theme song leaves a lot to be desired.

There's a scene when he's in La Habana, Cuba. *sigh* I miss being there.

Make Mine Music

~No Tations~

Had to air some laundry guys.

~No Tations~

Dear Arr Ess Dee:

I didn't want to see you last night but it was my boy IVAN's birthday. There's no way in hell that I was gonna miss his soiree because I didn't feel like seeing your big attitude, woe is me, self. I know you were gonna act like you didn't even know me but I don't care, I have a little bit more maturity in myself, so I was the one who first said hi.

You know you saw me last night and realized how much you missed me. But I don't care anymore. I've been avoiding that situation for over a year now and now I see how miserable you were being in your anti-socialness last night [although I do gotta say that your friend Alyssa is pretty] while seeing me smile and have a good time with people who actually know how to act in person. Yeah, you can call me, you can IM me, but you can't even be civil in person? Give me a break!

I miss you, and there is a part of me that will cherish what we had. But get over everything...you have a long way to go.

I hope sometime in the future you can grow up a little bit, "find" yourself, and therefore give yourself the chance to really open up and give someone your heart without worrying about it being broken in return. At least I know I can do that.

I wish you luck and I will always care for your housemates as they were family. A part of me will always love you but I now go on without worrying about the past.

Jay Emm Ell

Ouch!
I'm tired. I just got back from playing football. Yep, night football with a lit ball. Pretty fun, but I forget how hard it is on the shoulder to try and tackle someone who weighs about 20 pounds more. Nothing more like a game of tackle to remind you exactly how old you are (and for those keeping count, I'm an Aquarian Dragon.)

Anyway, I'm heading to a party at Bad Abbot's on Friday. $5 cover charge -- it's for my boys Ivan and Jeff. Make it out if you can.

Make Mine Music

~No Tations~

No Tation's Bitter Tuesday List for 11/19/2002

1. I'm broke
2. Stupid NINERS GAVE the game to the Chargers on Sunday.
3. My pants have a hole in them.
4. The Warriors freakin' lost AGAIN last night.
5. The GIANTS don't even know who's playing for them next year.
6. I can't wait to hit the slopes in Tahoe.
7. No @ss Countdown: 1 year, 2 months, 19 days. SH!T

[same ole Tuesday]

I had a concert today at school, the twice weekly recital hour for the Music Department at SFSU. I had a good time singing with the University Chorus. The majority of the singers are music majors but then I'd say close to more than 1/3 of the singers have majors other than music (including yours truly). So, quality wise, we may not be on par with the Chamber Singers, but the effort put out is just as much.

I have a few concerts coming up soon in December, so I will let you all know when they are! Maybe all ONE of you who reads this may want to go?

Played some tackle football last Wedensday over in South City and boy was I sore afterward. Sometimes it takes playing these sports which we played in High School to let me know just how out of shape I really am! In any case, I'll probably be playing tomorrow night so I know I'll be sore for at least the next couple of days.

test

If you've ever listened to choral music, and in particular, to African American Spirituals [aka Negro spirituals] you may have heard an arrangement of one of those songs by Moses Hogan.

If you haven't then come to one of my concerts and most likely you'll hear one of his arrangements. He is a giant in the choral world, a legend among arrangers.

He's also in coma right now. And the doctors say it doesn't look good. He's only 45. Keep your fingers crossed. And if you have time check out his webpage, www.moseshogan.com

[wednesday nite musings]

A new era in Giants baseball!

Felipe Alou. Felipe who? For you non-diehard SF Giants fans [unlike yours truly] the name Alou may not be anything more than Moises Alou, he of the 1997 World Champion Florida Marlins and currently playing for the [soon-to-be managed by Dusty Baker] Chicago Cubs. Felipe, along with his brothers, Jesus and Matty, played for the Giants in the 60s, and every once in awhile all three would start in the outfield. Actually it was not long ago, when another set of 3 brothers, by the last name Luis, used to start in the midfield for the Alameda High School Soccer team (1993-94).

I need to go home but I feel the need to blog real quick. Oh yeah, go visit Mango and play his 80s TV trivia game. I didn't answer 2 of them and I think I got 7 out of the other 9 right.

Be on the lookout for some new happenings on the Asian American Music scene. And come visit No Tations at his store during the Winter Shopping season. I'm either at Serramonte or Hillsdale, but I'll keep you posted on that one.

BITTER TUESDAY for 11.12.02

1. It's official -- Dusty Baker is gone.
2. I saw the official commemorative Sports Illustrated World Series issue at B. Dalton.
3. My 30 win prediction for the Warriors looks seriously in doubt right now.
4. I'm hungry right now and there's nothing to eat.
5. I'm at work right now and I wish I were home.
6. Bush is actually going to declare war on Iraq, which means innocent people may die for no reason at all.
7. My friend MaryAnn didn't even get a call back for American Idol 2, and I know for sure she sings better than that Kelly girl.
8. I have a headache.
9. I'm broke.
10. NO @SS countdown -- 1 year, 3 months, 1 day. ARGHHHHHHHH!

Maybe it's time for a little Mozart to calm the nerves. Talk to you soon.

Make Mine Music

~No Tations~

[this was supposed to be done monday but oh well...]

Hoping all one (or maybe two of you =P) BRLers who keep watch on this blog had a good weekend. Believe it or not, I went through this weekend only spending about $20 total, 10 of which was on gas. I think I like this, not doing anything but saving money in the process. It's a bit of an adjustment but definitely something worth getting into the habit of.

Shhhh...don't tell anyone, I actually smoked about 4 cigarettes these past three days. I know, I know, it's horrible for a singer but quitting is dang hard. I'd been doing really well, and all of a sudden I had the fattest craving for the nasty @ss taste and gave in.

I actually spent some quality time with my family this weekend. I capped off a kick back sunday with The Ring. It's alright. But it definitely does have its scary moments. A pretty good date movie, especially if your date gets freaked out easily. You may be able to take advantage and cop an easy feel.

It's late and I'll have the Bitter Tuesday list later.

[Hillsdale Shopping Center ponderings...]

It's the time of year when the sky is bright but the weather is cold, where 5 o'clock sees the oncoming of sunset and when, on the day after Thanksgiving, the 2002 Christmas shopping season begins.

Which reminds me of how much I like Christmas music. KFRC has two or three good compilations of Christmas music by artists such as Chuck Berry, Elvis, the Temptations and the only Christmas song to hit #1 on the Billboard charts, "The Christmas Song" by the Chipmunks.

I just got paid today, I'm gonna buy a copy soon.

Have a good weekend.

Make Mine Music

~No Tations~

"If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm dictator."

Strange isn't it, the bad sleeping habits we pick up once we graduate high school? During those days, 1990-1994, I used to wake up at 6 to be at school for zero period Current Life at 7 am. Now, I barely make it to 11 am class. I've been having a bit of sleeplessness lately, and so during these nocturnal behavior times I often listen to KGO 810 AM. What? No Tations, the music guy, listening to talk radio? Yeah. Actually, I despise most of the mainstream stuff, so a lot of the time I'm listening to KNBR.

So what's the point? Well, this was an election week and once again the old, fat, rich whyte peeps have taken advantage of the fact that most of the youth, and more specifically, youth of color, have not taken advantage of their right to express their opinion in the form of voting. Something needs to be done. I remember Voodoo giving a speech in Union City [ages ago!] where she told the high schoolers, "Y'all need to get mad!" One of these people who is angry is Ray Taliaferro, who hosts Late Night with Ray Taliaferro on KGO 810 am from 1-5 am, Monday through Friday. He's like Rush Limbaugh, except he's on our side. In fact every year, on July 4th, Ray reads the Declaration of Independence and then interprets it, which most of the time means pointing out how America's "founding fathers" were hypocrits.

So if you're up, listen. He called for the resignation of Dick Gephardt the night after the GOP took control of congress. Another KGO host, Ronn Owens [who runs a much more middle ground stance] said Ray was unrealistic. What did Gephardt do? Yup, resigned.

Keep warm tonight and don't drive too fast, it's raining out there.

Oh yeah, that quote was given by none other than our president,
George W. Bush.

Make Mine Music

~No Tations~

[...it was a dark and stormy nite]

Gads, it feels like the house is gonna fall apart. The wind rattled the windows and whistled through all the little cracks. You'd have thought it was horror movie or something. Anyway, just wanted to let you all know that it made me think of the Sound of Music, specifically the song "My Favorite Things".

So yeah, keep warm.

Jeffrey �Makata� Trinidad

November 12, 1974 � November 1, 2002

Jeff �Makata� Trinidad passed away two weeks before his 28th birthday from heart complications on November 1, 2002. He is survived by his mother Nenette Trinidad.

Jeff was a student organizer, educator, mentor, poet, writer, community activist, friend, and kasama to all in the community. He was a solid and true friend. He was a giving person who always made himself available to help in any cause- whether it was a friend in need of a ride, a student who needed assistance, or a community issue that needed his support. He was driven to build bridges among all he encountered by bringing people together to celebrate culture, education, community, and justice.

These are some of the organizations and causes that Jeff was committed to:

-Founder and member of Pilipinos for Education Art Culture and Empowerment (PEACE) at City College
-Member of Teatro ng Tanan (TnT)
-Organizer of Lapu Lapu Day and Pilipino Unity Day
-Board member and outreach guru of Manilatown Heritage Foundation
-Task-force member of the San Francisco Veterans Equity Center
-Coordinator of the Veterano Project

Jeff was also a poet and writer who created �Kapit Bisig� a student newsletter at City College and whose work was published in various publications. He was a playwright for Teatro ng Tanan who wrote performance pieces such as �Multo ni Macario [Sakay]� and �Blacklight�.

He was a cultural worker who trained people in Basic Integrated Theatre Arts Workshop (BITAW) developed by PETA in the Philippines and supported Filipino community programming at KPFA Radio. He was also a student of Kulintang Master Danongan Kalanduyan.

Jeff was a student at City College of San Francisco. At City College, he was the unifying and moving force behind creating a thriving community that crossed all cultures, generations and backgrounds. He was president of the Inter-Club Council and supported the following organizations: La Raza Unida, Black Student Union, Muslim Student Association, Bi-Gala Queer Alliance, Polynesian Club, Associated Students Council, Students Supporting Students. While at the University of Hawaii, he was also a member of the Katipunan Club.

Jeff will be missed dearly� at karaoke night at Caf� Kaleo, at various Pilipino cultural, artistic, musical, and community events that he was involved in, on many late night phone conversations, in his room playing video games, eating out with friends at Toppings, cruising Target and Sportsmart, and undoubtedly at City College of San Francisco�s Student Union.

Services for Jeff will be held at 4840 Mission Street in San Francisco, California
Viewing: Monday, November 4, 3:00pm-9:00pm
Community Memorial Service: Monday, November 4, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Rosary: Tuesday, November 5, 6:30pm
Funeral Services: Wednesday, November 6, 8:00am
Procession begins from 4840 Mission Street to Our Lady of Visitacion Church
Burial at Holy Cross Cemetary in Colma.

Donations & cards may be mailed to: Nenette Trinidad, 96 Tioga Street, San Francisco, CA 94134

___________________________

I didn't know Jeff that well but when I was the History Coordinator of the Pilipino American Collegiate Endeavor at SFSU Jeff was always willing to come by and speak about his passion for the Veterans and the Manilatown Heritage Foundation.

Rest In Peace brother Jeff. I regret not having the chance to get to know you better but you are in a better place and there are many people who will never get to achieve in a long lifetime what you did in your 28 years.

Make Mine Music

~No Tations~

[It's Tuesday again, time for another installment of...]

BITTER TUESDAY

1. As of this moment, the stupid public can't realize how idiotic it would be to vote for Bill Simon.
2. I give props to those who 'vote their conscience' but for me I certainly would put conscience on hold to vote for the smarter of the two idiots.
3. The Warriors are reverting to last years' form (1-3)
4. I was reminded of who won the World Series just last weekend.
5. Dusty Baker might not return to manage my GIANTS.
6. Jeff Kent might not return to play 2nd base for my GIANTS.
7. Raiders fans may still not be convinced that their team got WHUPPED by my NINERS.
8. I'm now at 22% bodyfat.
9. My house is cold.
10. I haven't gotten any @ss in 1.25 years.