It's that time of the year for the annual "art and wine festivals." This weekend it's Mountain View. Same booths and bands. The weather was nice, warm and not quite windy. We just browsed but didn't buy anything. Some of the things looked interesting but very pricey.
The food smelled good but we just had lunch and we weren't that hungry. Besides some of the foods weren't Atkins compatible. Nice crowd of people. A few of them had a habit to block the area when you are walking by.
There was one booth selling real estate or something but they had these two hottie girls in tight low cut jeans and t shirts that showed their tummies. As you know "sex" sales. Not too many men flocked to them.
The same vendors will be at the Sunnyvale, Menlo Park, Palo Alto and most likely San Jose wine and art festivals.
During lunch I went with my two co workers to Sonoma Chicken aka Sonoma Chicken Coop. This was my first time going there. Everytime I went, it was crowded and the line was out the door. This time wasn't any different, so we beared with the waiting.
It's located in downtown San Jose on San Pedro Square.
I ordered a prawn and avocado salad. It had romaine lettuce with chopped tomatoes, shrimp, slice avocado and sliced onions (which I took off). On the side were 2 pieces of foccacia bread. Ruth had buffalo wings with a side order of salad. Eva has stuffed chicken breast with salad.
Most of the customers ate outside in the patio area. We opted for the inside. Much cooler. This place is famous for their salads. Their dessert menu looks scrupmtious. Very busy during lunch time. Great time to go is before noon.
I couldn't stand the suspense and I found out who was voted out. To my surprise...Jasmine was safe! On a very sad note Latoya (Bay Area favorite) was voted off. Fantasia and Latoya were the bottom two. That is very hard to believe. I have a feeling that Jasmine got sympathy votes. The tears gave her the edge in the voting. She's cute, lovable and everyone seems to adore her. But her singing isn't quite pop star material.
Latoya has a calm and quiet demeanor about her. Some feel her shyness is a show of being conceited. I like that about her. She doesn't look nervous and when she sings, you can never tell if she is. I didn't expect her to be voted off so song. She reminds me so much of Anita Baker. With her voice and singing style, she get a record deal.
Fantasia has that rough edge about her, but she's got talent and a very unique style. Her choice of song were excellent. The song from Porgy and Bess was very moving. Then she sang the Barbara Streisand song and that everyone to tears. It's those performances that stand out and show her true talent.
Diana is very bubbly and into the music. She's entertaining and has a great voice. She's proven that she can sing and through the competition she has done well. At first I wasn't a fan but through each show is has shined. Just because she is a bit chunky, shouldn't stop her from being a star. Kelly Clarkeson is a bit chunky herself and need I say Reuben??
My advice to Jasmine is, you made it in the final 3. Please...Please...pick songs that suit your voice range. Do not pick songs that you try so hard to hit certain notes and keys. You have a chance to prove that you honestly and truly belong in this competition. Now is the time to prove it.
I'm not sure if I want to see tonight's show. There will be shocked reactions. Some boos. A close up shot of Jasmine's reaction (just like when they showed John Stevens
face when the others were voted off and he wasn't). Comments of fans voting for popularity and not talent. The judges reaction. Contraversy and racial remarks, cause the bottom two were Fantasia and Latoya.
Tonight's special guest is Clay Aiken. Oh big whoop Thank goodness for the remote control.
Tonight's theme was "disco." The guest judge was disco queen herself Donna Summer.
I am sorry to say but Jasmine may most likely be voted out. Judging from tonight's performance it's made it very clear where Jasmine's dreams and hopes will end. Her choice of songs were not appropiate for her voice range. The judges comments were very straight forward and very critical. After her performance of "It's raining Men", Simon said it was the worse version he's ever heard. Paula asked why she picked this song with her voice range but she said that she forgot some of the words and covered it up very well. Randy said it was "pitchy" and she was struggling through the notes. From these choice of words, Jasmine couldn't hold back the tears. She tried to contain her composure. Later Simon apologized for what he said.
Latoya had a good performance as usual. She picked great choice of songs. I loved her version of "Don't Leave Me This Way." Great job Latoya!
Fantasia sang "Knock On Wood" which was done very well. Her second song "I Need A Hero" was not a favorite. I liked it but I'm not sure why she picked this song.
And last but not very least is Diana. Honestly I wasn't a fan of hers. I always thought of her as being in high school plays. I really didn't think of her as a pop star. Well from the past shows, she has proven herself. She did a beautiful performance of Donna Summer and Barbara Streisand's song "Enough Is Enough." It was done superbly and she had the audience on their feet. She's young, bubbly and she will be tough to beat.
Well time sure flies by when you are having fun. It's been a year to this date that Bill and I got married.
As a traditional thing for most couples who have been married after a year. We will be having a slice of our wedding cake. I have to say it smells fresh and it was well preserved for a year. Thanks to my husband for the excellent job on keeping the cake fresh.
It's been a wonderful year of married bliss and I look for toward many more years to come.
I would like to wish a "Happy Mother's Day" to those I know dear. My sisters Nancy and Alma, best friend Dewi, my friends: Pam, MaryAnn, Diana and Jean and my mother-in-law Bobbi.
Hope your Mother's Day was a happy and joyous one!
My wonderful husband Bill had a surprise for me. He took me to Monterey for an early celebration for our 1 year wedding anniversary (May 10, 2003 was the magic day). It been a very very long time since I last went to Monterey.
Traffic going up there wasn't bad. We were staying at the Beach Comber Inn right off the coast. After we checked in and put all our things in the room.
We headed off to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. There was a shark exhibit. They had tiger sharks, a hammerhead shark and some small sharks. There were schools of fishes. Among the other exhibits were, the otters and penguins. They had jelly fishes and plant life.
Bill and I both bought a souvenir (t-shirts) at the gift shop.
We walked around the cannery. Relaxed with a cup of coffee at Starbucks. We checked out the menus at the restaurants over there but nothing peaked our interest.
We drove down Fisherman's Wharf and decided to eat over there. I can't remember the restaurant, Bill had a meat lasagne with garlic bread. I had a bacon burger with fries. Yes, I know this meal isn't Atkins approved but we were celebrating our anniversary.
After dinner we decided to head back to the room. Both of us were worn out so we crashed and fell asleep.
The next morning we woke up and got breakfast at a place nearby. It was called the "Breaker Cafe." I had pancakes, 2 sausages and 2 bacons. I gave Bill one of my sausages and bacon. He had 3 deep fried french toasts. This was very yummie.
After breakfast we decided to take a walk on a trail that leads to the beach. It was a nice walk. There were people and dogs walking on the beach. Nearby was a golf course. Once we finished our walk, we went back to shower and pack our things.
We checked out and headed on the road. On our way we stopped by the Gilroy Outlest. I ended up with clog style tennis shoes, a sweater blouse and white shorts. Bill bought a belt.
I had a wonderful time. A very special "thank you" to my loving husband Bill.
