Dani California

B.A.C.K.

2009-10-01T13:58:00.002-04:00

This time, from Tel Aviv! Stay tuned for an update from my first week...

Long time no see

2007-11-07T18:58:00.000-05:00

Rotating onto a new assignment at work has been tough on my blog. My new workaholic co-workers peek into my cubicle often, so I've had to limit my non-work computer activities to short-term activities: checking my email, reading news headlines, my new Facebook obsession (make it stop!!)...

But I haven't forgotten about my little "bloggie-chi" (as my MayMoonShine would say). I will write more this week, I promise! And I will be on a new assignment soonish. Hopefully they will be more blog-friendly.

In the meantime, an office-themed cartoon is in order.

Hotter than Where?

2007-07-10T08:59:00.000-04:00

I just overheard someone in the office say "I'd rather be in Kuwait right now." Odds are he's actually been to Kuwait, so use your imagination to figure out how much I am sweating.

Cultural Graffiti

2007-06-12T09:13:00.000-04:00

I came across the Iran Graffiti and Urban Art Report blog accidentally this morning and I think it is awesome, but I'll let the art speak for itself. My personal favorite:

If that site interests you, you should also check out Gajin Fujita, a Japanese-American artist who beautifully fuses traditional Japanese art with East LA graffiti. His work was on display at LACMA earlier this year.

DC Celebrity Sighting

2007-06-09T12:03:00.000-04:00

Apparently I am "from LA" now, so what LA chica is complete without her occasional celebrity sighting? I can't meet Steve Urkel in a club, speed past the Spelling mansion or spot an Olsen twin at Starbucks anymore (don't fret, I'll get over my loss), but I can use my camera phone to stalk a certain someone when I see him on the corner of 20th and M NW on a Thursday afternoon, trying to hail a cab all by his lonesome... Can you guess who?

Update: Lunch Bully

2007-06-07T13:43:00.000-04:00

Note the following message posted to the crime scene this morning:Apparently there have been a series of reported food thefts taking place on my floor. As a result of the aforementioned thefts, a neighborhood food watch program has been implemented. As a part of this program, victims have the opportunity to publicly post logs of their stolen food items. I noticed that one particular John Doe not only had his Arizona green tea stolen, but lost a burrito only one week later. Tragic.

I find solace in knowing that I work in a place of snitch analists-- er, I mean activists! Yes, yes...activists.

Lunch Bully

2007-06-04T19:11:00.000-04:00

I truly can't believe this, but someone at work actually stole my lunch today. I've searched the fridge about 18 times, and my carefully prepared, nutritious meal of zucchini, tofu, brown rice and black beans has yet to be found. I know it looked delicious, but seriously, what is wrong with people? So now some shmuck is enjoying the fruits of my labor and I have to go to my Farsi class hungry. Vaveylah beh een mamlekat.

Move Over Fukuyama: Another Academic Annoys Dani California

2007-05-21T19:07:00.000-04:00

I disagree with this op-ed by Bernard Lewis, a professor at Princeton University. The piece, sensationalistically titled "Was Osama Right?" begins by implying that the US response to the Arab world is passive, or even wimpy:

"If you did anything to annoy the Russians, punishment would be swift and dire. If you said or did anything against the Americans, not only would there be no punishment; there might even be some possibility of reward, as the usual anxious procession of diplomats and politicians, journalists and scholars and miscellaneous others came with their usual pleading inquiries: "What have we done to offend you? What can we do to put it right?"

I would say simultaneously occupying Iraq and Afghanistan can be called a lot of bad things, but implying wimpiness? Further, Lewis ignores the idea that Arab countries, who are both threatened by US hegemony as well as capitalism, may just actually relate (or at least they could relate more, relative to US capitalism) to Soviet socialism. For example, several Arab countries have had their own socialist movements. Even though theocracy and religious fundamentalism can clash with the secular slant of socialism, I would guess that Arab governments and citizens can nonetheless identify with socialism's sense of community and obligation to something larger than yourself, whether that be God, the proletariat, or a governing entity.

I'm annoyed that Lewis, who has written extensively on the Middle East, has yet to understand basic, elementary things about Middle Eastern culture. That is what happens when you haven't had hands on professional experience in your field since the second World War, I suppose. It is frightening that someone with so little experience in that region is so well-heeded by the Bush administration.

I certainly don't mean to slam academia and I'm not a university hater. But as someone who has a love for teaching and would love to be a professor someday, I strongly feel that professors have an obligation to their students to back up their opinions with first-hand experience. And if they don't have any of that, then maybe they should stick to the textbook lesson plan, or at least start their opinions with some sort of disclaimer.

The two academics I've slammed in this blog (see my Fukuyama post) have both been neo-conservatives, but I really don't think the liberal side is much better. I'll never forget sitting in my Middle East Politics class at Berkeley, as our guest lecturer from the University of Haifa told us that Israelis are inherently violent and aggressive people. I can't describe how it felt to sit in that class, wholeheartedly putting my learning experience in the hands of my professors, only to get that in return.

Scoobie in DC

2007-05-11T16:12:00.000-04:00

It's been absolutely fabulous to have little sis here with me. Here's Scoobie's take on her first day in DC: seeing the Capitol (in her words, "a beacon of democracy"), her love affair with honest Abe, getting hit on by a security guard and more:

Hi All,
just wanted to let you know that I got to DC perfectly intact. Dani is doing great, her apartment is the coolest place I have ever been and we are having an awesome time!
...Washington DC is a beautiful and lively city with a culture of its own. I feel so lucky that I got to go through it alone today and see so many interesting things. I woke up late (I am on Cali time) and met Dans and her coworker for lunch. Then the sightseeing began. I LOVE sightseeing. I went to the national archives where I saw the constitution, magna carta, declaration of independence, emancipation proclamation, etc, etc and watched a video about how the archives protect our democracy because they give everyone access to government documents so we can hold the government accountable. the proof that made the holocaust case where survivors and their heirs were given their money from Swiss bank accounts was found in the archives, they actually had Swiss bank records and lists of jewish names! There was also an exhibit on presidential education ("from schoolhouse to white house" very corny). but I saw a love letter from barbara bush to george HW accepting his invitation to a college dance. It was cute. I saw nixon's violin, clinton's high school portrait, and JFK's report card. It was all very funny.
Then I went to a sculpture garden and down to the Mall. I was so exhausted at that point from the heat and all the walking, that I got a hagen daz bar and sat under a shady tree for a good while. I "haal'd" big time. (by the way, I have pictures of everything--even that!!!). I went to a gorgeous botanical garden and took pictures of the most beautiful and exotic orchids I have ever seen and almost got arrested when the security guard had to ask me to leave 3 times because they were closing. Then he hit on me. That finally got me out of there.

After that, I hiked up capital hill. Up close, the capital building is amazingly gorgeous and majestic. I thought about all the laws and history that were made at that spot. I love US history. nerdy, I know).

Then I trekked to the metro to meet Dani for dinner. We went to a cute bistro with one of her friends, sat outside because the weather is fabulous now and had margaritas. yum. We rested for a while, then took a night tour of the monuments. Around the monuments, there are lots of pools and lights which make everything look very romantic (oooh ahhh)... I am so fascinated by Abraham Lincoln, from both the historical and psychological perspective. He was a cool dude and I was excited to see the monument dedicating to honoring him. We also saw the vietnam and WWII memorials and the washington monument which is ENORMOUS....
I am so sticky (DC was built on a swamp, you know) so I have to shower up and get to bed. This was only day 1. I love being a tourist.

Yay Negs!

2007-05-08T10:30:00.000-04:00

Check out this KQED Forum feature on Iranian Alternative Culture, created and produced by my very own Negar! I'm so proud of my girl!

It is Not Necessary

2007-05-02T16:46:00.000-04:00

It is not necessary to whistle
To be alone,To live in the dark.

Out in the crowd, under the wide sky,
We remember our separate selves,
The intimate self, the naked self,
The only self who knows how the nails
grow,
Who knows how his own silence is made
And his own poor words.
There is a public Pedro,
Seen in the light, an adequate Bernice,
But inside,
Underneath age and clothing,
We still don't have a name,
We are quite different.
Eyes don't close only in order to sleep,
But so as not to see the same sky.

We soon grow tired,
And as if they were sounding the bell
To call us to school,
We return to the hidden flower,
To the bone, the half-hidden root,
And there we suddenly are,
We are the pure, forgotten self,
The true being
Within the four walls of our singular
skin,
Between the two points of living and dying.

~Pablo Neruda

Listen to your Mother

2007-04-26T17:50:00.000-04:00

Best advice she ever gave me. Thanks mom :)

Five tips for a woman....

1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job.

2. It is important that a man makes you laugh.

3. It is important to find a man you can count on and doesn't lie to you.

4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you.

5. It is important that these four men don't know each other.

In Memory

2007-04-20T15:16:00.000-04:00

Sometimes tragedies go beyond being tragic, beyond grief and sadness, far past irony, and settle down in a place in your heart. May Professor Liviu Librescu rest in peace.

National Rifle Association

2007-04-19T16:24:00.000-04:00

What is wrong with this country?

Weather Rant

2007-04-16T14:16:00.000-04:00

Don't think that since I've been posting all these warm fuzzies about snow I have been happy about the weather around here. Even though I have discovered my relatively high tolerance for cold/snow, I have discovered an element that I truly despise: wind.

Wind is El Diablo himself. The wind-chill factor makes everything feel colder. Wind at night causes a commotion loud enough to keep me awake long into the night. Wind makes walking around in the rain with an umbrella nearly impossible. Wind severely dries my eyes out. Wind f**ing sucks.

DC (I propose we call it "little Chicago" or perhaps, "the OTHER windy city") has plenty of wind, especially this week. Today wind speeds may reach as high as 60 miles per hour!! That's a slow car on a freeway! At the risk of sounding a little dramatic, I could get knocked down in this crazy wind and die of a concussion. And I can kiss the cherry blossoms goodbye- there is no way they are going to survive this crap-ass weather.

I have decided that while I may tolerate snow, I could never live somewhere with wind (nor fog, after waking up to dew on my head-turned-afro every July morning in SF) again.

Chaverah

2007-04-07T12:35:00.000-04:00

Chaverah is unique. Her day-to-day musings are so deep, powerful and loaded. She questions all positions and beliefs: hers, yours, theirs. The Quintessential Devil's Advocate. She has a talent for taking a common human experience, dissecting it in her mind, then transforming it into extemporaneous poetry on her tongue. Chaverah has new and recurring existential crisis every day. Forget Socrates, forget Nietzsche. If there is ever a philosopher who will discover the meaning of life, it will be Chaverah.

You would think that having such a complex mind would make her pretentious and removed. Not so. Chaverah is quite personable. If she shares her thoughts, you will not only understand what she is saying, you will relate. Almost everyone relates somehow, because she is caught between so many worlds and has learned to be a social chameleon. First, Chaverah observes as an outsider, then she conjures strategies to assimilate. Despite this, she never fully fits in: somehow her distinctiveness is always exposed. Others are captivated by her. I can tell by the way they look at her and the kinds of questions they ask. Chaverah doesn't see herself this way. When it comes to self-reflection, she is obliviously conscious.

People are so amazingly complex. Connections between two people are doubly complex. Chaverah and I connect, share, argue like sisters. Chaverah and I are so different; in our intellect, our spirituality, our art, our life paths, our families, our culture, our preferences. We learn to acknowledge, then respect, then accommodate each other's differences. I have never received a bad gift from Chaverah. I have never felt judged by Chaverah. I can always tell Chaverah when she doesn't understand me. There is no guarantee that she won't argue about it, but I know she is listening to my grievance. Chaverah inspired me many times, some of which I have yet to realize.

Here's to you my friend. Don't ever change!

The Immigration Debate: What are the Facts?

2007-04-05T11:53:00.000-04:00

If you know me well, you know I'm a big immigration policy buff. Part of the reason it fascinates me (aside from my own family/identity ties to it) is that it is such a complex and contentious issue. I am also amazed at the extent to which public opinion on immigration shapes the positions of our congressional leaders. This is true for many policies, but I think immigration is unique because the facts are so muddled that even policy makers don't know what their positions are. And yet the public feels very strongly about their positions. To shape their policy stances, I think that our elected officials often rely their constituency's impulsive and erratic immigration stances. Their voters may or may have the best ideas, but at least this way they can stay in office!

Because of this, it is extremely important that the facts on immigration are well-disseminated to the voting public. There are varied positions on immigration, particularly illegal immigration, and I think that regardless of where you lie on the spectrum-from a MEChA member to a Minuteman- you have both valid and invalid points in your favor.

Compared to most policy issues, it is harder to extract pure clean facts on immigration. So I very much appreciate this recent opinion piece by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), who I personally trust for objective, fact-based research on California policy issues.

The piece is titled "Even in the Immigration Debate, Facts are Facts." It puts an end to the argument that immigration results in lower wages for CA citizens or that they are depriving citizens of jobs. Hans Johnson, author of the op-ed, backs up his argument with two main points:

First, from 1960 to 2004, the data shows no link between the large number of immigrants moving into California and U.S.-born workers either moving out of the state or dropping out of the work force. In other words, on average, U.S.-born workers were not displaced because of immigrants moving into the state.
Second, between 1990 and 2004, the real wages of U.S.-born workers received a positive boost – an estimated 3 to 5 percent – from the presence of immigrants in the work force. The amount that wages increased varied, depending on age and education, but almost without exception, the results were positive for U.S.-born workers.

Johnson further says that not only are immigrants not depriving Californians of jobs or fair wages, but they are raising the quality of our workforce as a whole and allowing Californians to "upgrade" their work skills.

The study reveals that immigrants do not compete directly with the majority of U.S.-born workers for the same jobs. Rather, they complement U.S. workers in terms of skills, education and occupations.
For example, in the agricultural field, most immigrants have taken jobs as agricultural laborers, while most U.S. workers have filled jobs such as farm supervisors. As the ranks of one type of worker increase, so does the demand for this other, complementary type.

Note that the author does not distinguish between legal and illegal immigration. That kind of analysis is difficult, as the US Census Bureau doesn't collect data on the undocumented. So bear in mind that this is big-picture analysis: examining immigration as a whole.

So back to the issue of public opinion. Since the public plays such an important role in determining the direction of immigration policy, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to keep the straight facts in mind when formulating your opinion on immigration. I am not telling you what to think. In fact, my position on it may surprise you: I think there are undoubtedly legitimate arguments (and very productive debates to be made) for limiting immigration (for example, overpopulation in CA, a strain on social services, homeland security concerns, and of course legality issues with the undocumented) but the worker/wage arguments are probably the most overused, and, in my opinion, most inaccurate.

For more information, you can also watch this interesting video on immigration and CA jobs and wages. I have plenty of other interesting information in this issue. If you are intersted, just ask!

Regina Spektor - Fidelity

2007-03-25T11:49:00.001-04:00

Me Myself and I

2007-03-25T10:47:00.000-04:00

Some of my favorite moments have been alone. Not that I'd like to be by myself always, but I think we all spend too much time trying to be surrounded by others and don't really take the time to see beauty in solitude. A few of my recent favorite alone moments:

June 2006

6AM on the beach in Tel Aviv, as I wait for some of my friends to wake up and let me into the hotel. After getting kicked out of the hotel lobby for napping, I head over to the water. The beach is usually packed, but at 6 AM it's just me and a couple crazy people walking along the water. I was dead tired, but my senses had to open up to the smell of the salt water, 6AM ocean breeze, and the sound of waves and frenzied Hebrew nearby. I felt like I had lived in that spot my whole life. I had just finished grad school, I was just about to move to DC, and my life in the last several months had not been pleasant. I remember thinking that after a morning like that, things could only get better.

October 2006

Three weeks into my new job and it's Friday night. I am feeling a little anxious, because Mayan just returned to Israel and it's my first weekend by myself in DC. The only other building I really know at this point, aside from work and my apartment, is the Historic Synagogue on 6th and I, which is where I went for Yom Kippur with Mayan. I am hesitant to go to services by myself. Like Paula Abdul, I take a few steps forward, a few steps back, and then I climb the stairs into the synagogue. MesorahDC, who sponsors these Shabbat services, is Orthodox. I'm not sure I'd ever attended an Ashkenazi Orthodox service, and certainly not by myself. But as I sat down, all the women nearby smiled and Shabbat Shalomed me. The hazzan began singing a niggun, Shlomo Carlebach style. I've been moved by Jewish melodies before, but this time was different. I really can't describe this moment except to say that when in a new place, thousands of miles away from anyone who loves you, there is nothing more comforting than sitting in a room full of Jews, listening to a familiar melody.

Last week

After happy hour with a few friends from work, my belly full of tapas and with a nice sangria buzz, I decided to walk home. I took H street (definitely not a shortcut) which at some point, turns into New York Avenue if you're not paying attention, and if you're still not paying attention, it will become Pennsylvania Avenue and will drop you off at the back door of the White House. It is a pretty amazing thing to just happen upon the White House on your way home from work. Most tourists visit the White House during the day, but it is a very different experience at night. You can hear the fountain going, the few tourists around are snapping their photographs, and you can really look into the White House. You see which lights are on you begin to wonder who is in there at that moment, sitting at what desk and reading which memo or report. Who is briefing whom? Who is in the residence having a nightcap? (Yes yes, I watch too much West Wing). I started thinking about all the outrageous decisions and statements coming out of the building lately. Mid-fume, as I was peering intently into one window that I'd arbitrarily decided is currently holding the president, a cherry blossom caught my eye. I adjust to near-sightedness and I stop fuming. It's spring! It is 9PM and seventy degrees outside (and raining a little- how tropical!). The weather will probably go back and forth over the next few weeks, but irregardless, I survived my first DC winter!

And speaking of spring, I am very excited about the Cherry Blossom F estival. If anyone was planning on visiting DC, April is the ideal month to do so. Not that I have any problem enjoying it by myself ;)

What I saw

2007-03-02T17:11:00.000-05:00

...on the metro this morning blew my mind.

Isn't this a yo' mama joke? Yo' mama so stupid, she be putting dimes in her penny loafers.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

2007-02-23T17:53:00.000-05:00

Leave it to Heeb to dig deep into our Jewishness and come up with someting so painful yet funny:

Comeon, you have to admit you were laughing. But I was also a little freaked. Why do I find this so disturbing? Is it really that sacrilegious? If I looked outside of my religious identity, I would say that a pig is an animal, it has a right to exist, and it just happens to be chilling around some Shabbat table somewhere (although I am sure there is some law out there against having a pig near a prayer book).

Not to get too serious with this posting (by the way, I am loving that punk cover of the Fiddler on the Roof song) but I think it does an interesting job of revealing the power of symbolism and laws in our lives. I ask my fellow Tribesman and Tribeswomen: Was it just me or were you a little freaked out?

Foodgasm

2007-02-22T15:26:00.000-05:00

As doth quoteth ye Homer Simpson: "mmmmmmm......... choccclaaaate." As if dark chocolate wasn't good enough...try this blend of dark chocolate with cranberries, blueberries and almonds. Who says American chocolate is bad?

Me Gustas Cuando Callas

2007-02-18T18:45:00.000-05:00

If you haven't heard the Brazilian Girls yet, I highly recommend them, particularly their self-titled album (I haven't heard much of their new one yet, but I've heard it's not as good). Surprisingly enough, my sister (aka Barbara Streisand lover) discovered them before I did. KCRW truly makes miracles happen.
She also fell in love with "Me Gustas Cuando Callas," which is a song on the self-titled track that puts one of Pablo Neruda's most beautiful poems to a most beautiful melody. You can read the lyrics, in both English and Spanish here.

Yo' Mama Fukuyama

2007-02-16T16:45:00.000-05:00

I wasn't really a Fukuyama fan in college (Hegel, shmegel. Tell us something useful and contemporary man!), but I think I agree with him in this article. It's interesting that Fukuyama is taking this position, mainly because he was pushing for a US invasion of Iraq during the Clinton administration. It's also interesting (or wussy) that he chose a UK paper instead of a domestic one to make his point. Not that DoD, the Dept. of State and other former friends would listen to him anyways-- he's been anti-neocon for a while now: he opposed the 2003 Iraq invasion, claims to have voted against Bush in 2004 and called for Rumsfeld's resignation around that same time. I hope we increasingly hear similarly-reformed opinions like these before anything extreme (and impulsive) takes place with Iran. I hold the Dems in my prayers. May they keep our crazy Prez and VP in check. Ahhhmen.

The neocons have learned nothing from five years of catastrophe
Their zealous advocacy of the invasion of Iraq may have been a disaster, but now they want to do it all over again - in Iran
Francis Fukuyama
Wednesday January 31, 2007
The Guardian, UK

American military doctrine has emphasised the use of overwhelming force, applied suddenly and decisively, to defeat the enemy. But in a world where insurgents and militias deploy invisibly among civilian populations, overwhelming force is almost always counterproductive: it alienates precisely those people who have to make a break with the hardcore fighters and deny them the ability to operate freely. The kind of counterinsurgency campaign needed to defeat transnational militias and terrorists puts political goals ahead of military ones, and emphasises hearts and minds over shock and awe...

What I find remarkable about the neoconservative line of argument on Iran, however, is how little changed it is in its basic assumptions and tonalities from that taken on Iraq in 2002, despite the momentous events of the past five years and the manifest failure of policies that neoconservatives themselves advocated. What may change is the American public's willingness to listen to them.

SNOW!!!!

2007-02-16T16:21:00.000-05:00

I'm over the cold, but I'm not over the way snow can make everything mundane so damn beautiful, such as my morning commute:...out of my apartment building...
...on my way to Dupont metro...

...and from the metro to the office.

A little DC humor

2007-02-16T16:01:00.000-05:00

The world really does revolve around politics here. Last week I attended a hearing in the Rayburn House Office Building. It was roughly a week since Bush's "democrat majority" debacle during the State of the Union. On my way to the hearing, I passed by this:

In case you can't read it, some irritated democratIC hill staffer has added an "ic" to the end of "democrat!" Get it?!? Get it?!? Ach, maybe you have to live in Washington to find this funny.

Maybe that's where he keeps his Skittles...

2007-02-09T15:17:00.000-05:00

The easily nauseous need not click.

Ew.

DJ Cheb i Sabbah & Frédérique

2007-02-05T17:05:00.000-05:00

I was particularly excited to come across this clip because Cheb is my favorite DJ, Frédérique was my first Tribal Belly Dance instructor back in the days in Oakland (and she rocks), and they're performing at Amoeba Records in Berkeley, where I have so many fond memories. Special props to Maymoonchi for sending it to me!

Great job Nance, but something's not right

2007-01-11T15:32:00.000-05:00

Don't get me wrong, Pelosi is my woman. And becoming the first female Speaker of the House is quite an accomplishment, and good reason to look your best. But perhaps next time this CA Representative wants to change her eyebrows, she should avoid going to an SF drag queen for advice.

Pelosi has been critized for eyebrow troubles before. But now, like her power and status, Pelosi's eyebrows have reached an unprecedented height. What if she suddenly assumed the presidency or vice presidency? Where would those eyebrows go? Find out by reading this interview with Nancy's makeup artist.

Never-ever thought I'd say this

2007-01-11T15:15:00.000-05:00

...but I think I like Arnie. I know his approval rating is fantastic right now, but I never thought I'd hop on the Governator Love Train. But I like "post-partisanship" and I like that he has big ideas, even if they're not always feasible. I think he actually has the political momentum to get things done too, which Angelides, in all his Democratic-ness, could not have done. Schwarzenegger actually has changed his persona and his priorities according to the opinions of his constituents, and he's not afraid to apologize. He's getting me all excited about California politics. I almost want to jump aboard the next plane to Sacramento and join his administration-- just kidding kids, I'm not that convinced...but with this crazy governor, who knows how I'll feel about it in a few years? This article sums it up rather well. See below...

Governor, in a hurry, walks political tight rope
By Daniel Weintraub -
Whatever you think of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, don't call him an incrementalist. He lives large and plays hard. And while he is fixated on the future, he sometimes seems to govern as if he thinks there is no tomorrow.
...Schwarzenegger used his State of the State speech Tuesday night to lay out plans for health care, infrastructure and environmental policy that would put or keep California on the cutting edge on all three issues. The tie that binds his approach on those fronts is action. He can't stand sitting back and waiting for things to happen. Or taking them step-by-step. He wants to do it all. Now.
"We are not waiting for politics," Schwarzenegger told a joint session of the Legislature. "We are not waiting for our problems to get worse. We are not waiting for the federal government. We are not waiting -- period. Because the future does not wait."
"In the past," Schwarzenegger said, "health care reform was always dead on arrival. But this year you can feel something different in the air. I can feel the energy, the momentum, the desire for action. You can feel that the time is right..."
On the environment, Schwarzenegger is back with a new step in his battle against global warming, one that won't require legislative approval. He has ordered his air quality bureaucracy to begin a discussion on rules that would reduce the amount of carbon in automotive fuels by 10 percent, and he wants the regulators to include a provision that would allow refiners to use a market-based system to accomplish his goal.
"Let us blaze the way, for the U.S., for China and for the rest of the world," Schwarzenegger told the Legislature. "Our cars have been running on dirty fuel for too long. Our country has been dependent on foreign oil for too long. I ask you to set in motion the means to free ourselves from oil and from OPEC. I ask you to encourage the free market to overthrow the old order. California has the muscle to bring about such change. I say use it."
This, apparently, is what Schwarzenegger means by post-partisan. His plans are a mix of right and left, Republican and Democrat. They are in some cases risky. But they are never dull.

Wedding Photos

2006-12-21T11:11:00.000-05:00

Can be viewed on my yahoo account. Send me an email if you'd like to see them. But here are my three personal favorites:

WhoseyoDaddy?

2006-12-20T17:11:00.000-05:00

I am, I am. I won free Thievery Corporation tickets for tonight!

Blackie's House of Beef on M and 22nd

2006-12-01T18:07:00.000-05:00

Today I finally feel a little settled here in DC. I'm not sure why. Maybe because things are finally starting to fall into place at work. Maybe because I'm not getting lost every 10 minutes that I walk somewhere. Maybe because I am actually building relationships with the friends around me. Maybe because I'm starting to meet people who have been here for less time than me. Whatever the reason, it is a relief. Being the newbie is getting old.
Then I got to reminiscing again. Why have I been doing to much of that lately? This time I was remembering my first week in DC, house-hunting with pops. Below, and excerpt from an email to friends:

Things in DC so far have been good. I'm enjoying walking up and down Dupont with my dad (who hasn't stopped talking about this Blackie's Beef House- some restaurant he worked at here for three months over 40 years ago), enjoying all the trees, people in suits, and rowhouses galore. I've now been apartment hunting in DC all day. The housing market is bad, but now as horrendous as everone says. Nothing a crafty Persian-Latina woman like myself can't handle :) Let's just hope it all comes together before I start work on Monday...

You know, I have poked fun at mama on here, but papa is lacking. Hey Dad, I had a blast house hunting with you. Here is your precious Blackie's House of Beef:

Love,

Danz

Back in the Days

2006-11-26T16:15:00.000-05:00

I am sitting here in Soho Cafe checking my email and enjoying my first Sunday back in DC after a nice visit back to Cali. I'm sipping and typing, people watching and clicking on with my bad self when suddenly I hear "step by step! oooooh baby! really wantcha in my wo-o-o-orrld!" I can't believe this grungy cafe, with it's funky art and mismatched cups (my coffee was served to me in a beer mug) is playing New Kids on the Block! I haven't heard them in ages, and why isn't the entire cafe is not cracking up right now?

So now I'm reminiscing over my teeny bopperdom. I'm remembering my NKOTB tablecloth and paper plates I used for what must have been my 9th birthday party. The colorful glossy NKOTB book I begged my mom to buy me from KB Toy Store, which included pictures and bios of all my boys: Danny, Doni, Joe, John, Jordan. I remember jamming to their jams and thinking about how cool they all were, and how amazing it would be if they just showed up at my house one day and professed their love for me. And I remember the noogies and other forms of harassment I was subjected to by my Fugazi/Skinny Puppy/Faster Pussycat- listening cousin who was far too cool her little pre-pubescent Danz. Hey cuz, give a girl a break! Not everyone can be as hip as you were at age 9!

I never got the chance to make fun of some little teeny bopper sister or cousin when I finally became cool. My sister was too busy listening to Barbara Streisand and musical soundtracks in elementary school to pay much mind to the New Kids, and my only younger female cousin was too busy being Orthodox to have bad taste in music. So now I'm feeling a little deprived. Now I have many younger female cousins, but they are all under the age of 5, and by the time they have bad taste I will (supposedly) be too mature to give them noogies and make fun of them. Besides, I caught myself belting out Brittney Spears this morning (Oops I did it Again, if you must know), so I guess I deserve a noogie myself. Dammit, I just can't win.

Currently Listening To...

2006-11-14T15:04:00.000-05:00

"The Last Time" by Gnarls Barkley. Best song ever. "Wheeeeenn was the last time....you daaaAAAanced??"

Confessions of a Policy Analyst

2006-11-10T11:30:00.000-05:00

Belting out Whitney Houston:
a less-than perfect, but cherished moment

As an MPP, I've been trained to be meticulous, to be able to back up everything I say with credible evidence, to remain consistent, and to pour over the message dozens of times before letting it go public. This is great for making a good policy recommendation, but I find that trying to apply these concepts to my daily life is making me go insane. Maybe being an off-the-clock analyst isn't the essence of Danz: I mean, I impulsively spurt out a lot of bullshit. And I over exaggerate--and I swear to mother earth and all its living beings, it's genetic! I ramble during quiet time and am at a loss for words when I have the floor. I am not, by any means, consistent-- with my moods, my attention span, my interests, or my beliefs.

Maybe you've never noticed some of these things about me. But since I get to observe myself all the time, I've noticed. And since I moved to DC, and probably even before I moved, I have been forcefully trying to change these things about myself. But I'm starting to realize that the problem might not be the behavior but rather the attitude towards the behavior. I am hard on myself. And I am a perfectionist. Not the work-long-hours type of overachiever, and not the straight-A student type either. I want to be a perfect personality; one who never interrupts others, is always up for a party, approaches every situation with the utmost confidence, considerate always, knows what to say, knows what to do. I am not that person, but I think I've been to hard on myself for not becoming the perfect human model. Maybe I have too much heart to be that person. I should take pride in who I am and own up it: a klutzy, interrupting mistake-maker who loves her family and friends. Who sometimes doesn't know what to say, but gives good advice and isn't afraid to try new things. Who overanalyzes herself and easily finds the essence of others. A woman who screws up a lot but always finds a way to fix it. It's not the perfect model of humanity, but shit man, that's human.

I can't be an off-the-clock policy analyst. Public policy, with all its intricacies, is still far less complicated than the average human being. And even in policy analysis: while you always acknowledge your shortcomings, you still make a strong recommendation.

my leeeetle cousins: COULD THEY BE ANY CUTER!?!?!?

2006-11-10T11:23:00.000-05:00

good Lord, I think not.

Would I be Completely Evil if I Posted a Cynical Voting Joke Here on Election Day?

2006-11-07T12:25:00.000-05:00

..well then, evil must be my middle name. Mwah ha ha!!!!

While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.
"Welcome to Heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, so we're not sure what to do with you."
"No problem, just let me in, " says the man.
"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."
"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the senator.
"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."
And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked
with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne. Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...
The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him. "Now it's time to visit heaven." So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good
time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.
"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."
The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."
So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. "I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"
The devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning...

"...Today you voted."

I Love the Nightlife, I got to Boogie...

2006-10-30T15:09:00.000-05:00

18th Street Lounge-- DC's Best Worst-Kept Secret

If you were here asking me what I thought of the DC nightlife so far, you'd see me squint one eye, tilt my head to the right and say, "eeeeh. It's so-so."

And so-so it is indeed. It's a tiny one. It's a fratty one too. But nevertheless, you can WALK to it (10 points for DC!) which wouldn't happen in LA (minuses 10 points) if you lived within a mile of the place.

Other Pluses/Minuses:

**The cover charge and drinks are less/the cab ride home is pricey

**You don't need to valet (well, they usually don't even offer valet)/say goodbye to your super cute, but uncomfortable shoes because you'll never make it in those puppies to the place alive

**It is lacking a uber-trendy scene, which means you don't ever have to be dressed to the nines/you don't ever get to be dressed to the nines-- it's usually to the fours or fives

**It's easy to figure out what there is to do around town/all the good stuff is in shady neighborhoods. Also, there is an underground scene in DC that is very much NOT underground. For example, you'll go to a place with no sign on the door, but everyone and their mamas will be there (see 18th Street Lounge picture above)

**Adams Morgan: tons and tons of clubs and bars all conveniently located on one street/Adams Morgan: plenty of sleazy, skeezy men all conveniently located on one street

**There are plenty of late night eats/you are not likely to be out that late. There are more happy hours here than anything else

All in all, it's not a bad place to go out in once in a while, but the nightlife is definitely not its strong point. I don't mind though, because in trade, I have not met an overly-narcissistic Hollywood air-head to date. I am lucky that I will have visits back to Cali to balance it out though. Which reminds me, I will be in LA between 11/18-25 for Thanksgiving -- Dub Club anyone? Being in this chocolate city with a marshmallow center and a graham cracker crust of corruption for so long has given me some rasta-cravings..."out in the streets, they call it murda..."

Great Nerdy Website

2006-10-25T14:12:00.000-04:00

The Free Dictionary is my new favorite homepage. It has word of the day, wikipedia, this day in history stuff, (easy) word games and more all on one page!! whooo hooo!!
And it has good synonym exercises (see the "match up section) for people who need to study for the GRE and other exciting tests...

IN DC!

2006-10-11T16:46:00.000-04:00

Ladies and Gentlegerms, I have arrived! Well, I actually arrived a month ago, but you've gotta give a girl time to settle!

I know you are all wondering: how long will she last? I have no idea, but so far, so good. One thing I will say I am enjoying about the East Coast (and I mean this in the most loving way possible) is that people here are a little more nerdy and uptight than the WC. What's so great about that you ask? It makes me 10x's funnier and more amusing! I have discovered the secret for uptight Californians: move to the East Coast! You could never be as bad as them, so you'll always be the most chillin, rhymin and stealin badass on the block. I think every anal Caliboy and girl should give this a shot at some point in their lives...

If you haven't been to DC, here's what it's like here: DC is like undergrad for twenty-somethings. Especially Dupont Circle (where I live). People walk around in their Reef flip-flops, they party, they study, they read on the grass when it's sunny, Starbucks when it's raining, then after a 2-4 year run they move back home. This place is so transient it's insane. Try buying or selling furniture on Craigslist here. The good stuff gets swept away in a heartbeat. Same with a good, affordable apartment (which is why I'm so damn lucky to have found my place).

As for work, this place is a lot like International House at Cal. People are smart and cultured. The age range and education level varies. Everyone is friendly. You have orientation, you have speakers, you even have parties sometimes. People are uber-nerdy and sometimes awkward (but like I said, this can work to your advantage!). There is office gossip (except on a much larger scale-- I think there are 2000 people in this building). Like I-House, there is incestuous dating and even marriages coming out of this office (calm down mom). Like I-House, you really don't need to leave the building: there's a gym, a counseling center, a "meditation and relaxation room," a huge cafeteria, etc, etc. Also like I-House, there are parts of the building that are really depressing and could use an extreme makeover. I also have the same feeling I had when I first started I-House: I think I'm going to like this place.

But don't think I am not keeping it real out here. Cali still trumps all. I miss Intermezzos salad, Temple Bar, and Shabbats with the fam. I miss my posse, especially my mooz of a sister. I don't miss the weather YET, but I know I will (I certainly don't miss the traffic either, although DC could really challenge LA in this department, but I'm taking their incredibly efficient and clean subway, so it doesn't affect me-- AAAAHEM, Los Angeles, take note).
I miss waxing certain cousins too. Get yer asses out here and visit soon, you crazy kids!

Caribbean Pick-Up Line of the Week

2006-10-08T14:37:00.000-04:00

Hey maan, are you from Jamaica? 'Cause jamakin me crazy...

No FLY Zone

2006-08-17T15:58:00.000-04:00

Note To Self

2006-08-11T13:23:00.000-04:00

Low Carb Diet + Alcohol + work the next day = Grumpy Hungover Dani

Confessions of a Law School Graduate

2006-08-10T14:47:00.000-04:00

BEWARE!
Don't tell a Bar Exam Survivor that tofu "mmm...tastes like chicken."*
This is what happens...

Seems so harmless, doesn't it? WELL YOU'RE WRONG, ASSHOLE.

A Practice in Deducing the Obvious
by D.V. Studytoohard

Issue: whether one who hates chicken would enjoy tofu.

Rule: i hate chicken.

Analysis: it follows then, that i would at least strongly dislike a food (or, in this case, a food like substance) that tastes like chicken.

Conclusion: thus, it is probable that i would dislike tofu.

Sheesh! Anyone who is considering law school should first read this post.

____________________________________

*Disclaimer: Author does not intend to indicate that tofu tastes like chicken.There is no chicken or poultry byproduct in tofu and therefore tofu does not taste like chicken. "Mmm, tastes like chicken" is in fact a reference to the generic, flavorless taste of tofu. No chickens or tofu were harmed in the making of this post.

American Pick-Up Line of the Week

2006-08-08T19:19:00.000-04:00

"Is your name 'DAMN?'

Cuz every time I look at you girl, I'm like, 'DAMN!'"

Dude, we pick strawberries and shit

2006-07-31T19:19:00.000-04:00

Blogosphere news: Today's LA Observed post is a riot. Especially this complimentary advice offered to UK PM Tony Blair, who is visiting California today:

Tony, some things you should know, dude. There really is very little similarity between California and the UK.

1. Dude. Never, ever go more than a few sentences without saying this word, dude. Forget all the "Comrades, and I say to you" stuff. Dude is probably the most totally awesome thing you can say while you're here.

2. Awesome. Dude, this is a literally awesome word, invented in California by surfer dudes (alright!) to describe anything that is literally, like, awesome.

3. Like. Like is, like, the valley mantra. If you say the word like, like every few words, you are totally telling your listeners that you are from, like, the valley.

4. The valley. This is not the valley that you, prime minister dude, know from your awesome time with Nye and the dudes. This is an altogether much flatter, less green valley, a place where rivers die, strawberries grow and strip malls proliferate.

5. Mexicans. There's a lot of them in the valley, picking fruit and shit. Many of these Mexicans are from Mexico, some are from other places that, dude, without being heavy, may as well be Mexico. Awesome.

6. The governor. Don't call him Arnie. That's way too British. In California he is known as Arnold, or The Arnold. And the addition of a comic Austrian accent always brings laughs from a sophisticated audience. Mimic his pronunciation of Kahl-ee-faw-nyah - a surefire vote winner. But remember, Arnold was once in the movies. This makes him far more important than any politician.

7. The mayor. Well, the mayors. California boasts two mayors with a national profile: Gavin Newsom in San Francisco and Antonio Villaraigosa in Los Angeles. Newsom is not the sort of politician a good Catholic like you should spend too much time on. His outspoken support for gay marriage and his bullish leadership of sin city mean that he will never meet the pope. Antonio is a different matter, the Latino Blair if you like (his first name means Tony in Spanish). Antonio has the Old Labour cred of a union past, the New Labour cred of sharp suits, a totally heavy Listerine habit and taught himself Spanish. Practise saying his name before meeting him. Or you can use the term favoured by Republican wags: Antonio Villareconquista.

I'm Diggity Deaf

2006-07-28T14:28:00.000-04:00

Oh so very necessary for old gozoos like myself

Last night I went with friends to see Daara J and some other band I hadn't heard of at the Santa Monica Pier for free. Daara J was of course, fantastic, but the real surprise was when this Japanese American dude from Berkeley came out and busted out funky-hip-hop grooves that sounded like they came straight out of the Shattuck Down Low. Lyrics Born was a GREAT show people, it was non-stop, booty shakin' action all night long. The Asian East Bay version of Jurassic 5, if you will. I highly recommend this band. What I don't recommend is standing next to the speakers, or standing behind screechingly high-pitched women as LB's booming voice demands, "SANTA MONIIIICCCCCAAAAA!!!!! Let me hear you make some NOOOOIIIIIISSSSEEEEEE!!!!!!" Ear plugs, my friends, ear plugs.

THIS

2006-07-27T20:29:00.000-04:00

...is what happens when you drag me to a Persian-Jewish synagogue full of Beverly Koon-Boosers:

A MASTERPIECE!
I call it:

Here, I am Alien by Dani California
Material: medium star confetti and small star confetti on tablecloth

Some may say it was inspired by sheer boredom. I say it was a cry to my future husband (who of course, attends Nessah regularly in search of the *other* person in the room who hates being there as much as he does): "ahoy future husband! Here I am, notice me! Love me! Make beautiful children with me! See how creative I am with confetti? Imagine how creative I can be in the boudoir...rrrrrrrrr!"

Unfortunately for the betterment of society, some people don't see this piece the way I do. Here, I am Alien was demolished and desecrated by Nessah's art-hating cleaning crew. I ask you: IS NOTHING SACRED?!?!?
Harumph. Some poeple are so uncultured.

What do we want? JUSTICE!! When do we want it? NOW!!!!

2006-07-27T19:53:00.000-04:00

I'm not ready to get political in this blog yet, and certainly not Middle-East political, especially given the currently heavy circumstances in Israel. Suffice it to say that my opinions on Israel are passionate, complicated, and sometimes surprising. For now, I just want to post this most fascinating picture of my mama with her sign of protest. This is as close to hippydom she gets people. Savor the moment!
Ahhh yes. Democracy at work.

Israeli Pick-Up Line of the Week

2006-07-27T19:17:00.000-04:00

(only works if someone is wearing glasses)

...

אהבתי את המשקפיים אבל אתה עיוור אם אתה לא רואה שאנחנו מתאימים

I like your glasses but you are blind if you can't see we are right for each other!

A Yassi Story

2006-07-27T19:02:00.000-04:00

Just look at my adorable little bubele...

Everyone says this about their kid, but Yasmine, my 4-year old cousin, is the smartest kid on this earth. Apparently she is also the most business savvy. This story is a clip from Melody's birthday party last year:

Cinderella was the main act.

[Yassi to Cinderella]: Will you come to MY birthday party?

[Cinderella]: sure, if your mommy invites me...

[Yassi]: what's you're phone number? My mom's name is Rosita, CALL HER!

Twenty minutes later, I see Yassi with Cinderella's business card. How many 4-year olds do you know who can wheel-and-deal like this one?

Inauguration day: Ode to Cali

2006-07-27T18:32:00.000-04:00

Yes folks, I am moving to DC, the land of "taxation without representation," but never fear! I will show those East-Coasters how it's done in the Wild Wild West. The town of Northern hospitality with Southern efficiency will never know what hit her! You can follow my adventures on this here blog, which I officially dedicate to my favorite May Moon Chi cousin.

And so, for our opening ceremony into bloggie land, I was going to bring you the king of the West himself, live from the afterlife....Mr. 2Pac Shakur in his famous rendition of California Love. But you can read about the "sunshine State with a bombass hemp beat" yourself here.

Then I discovered THIS! Did you know that we have a State song? OK, so it's a little cheesey and needs a creative touch (I mean, how many times can you say I love you in one song without sounding like a total sap??), but this will come in handy when we succeed from the Union...

I love You California

I love you, California, you're the greatest state of all I love you in the winter, summer, spring, and in the fall.I love your fertile valleys; your dear mountains I adore,I love your grand old ocean and I love her rugged shore.
chorus
I love your redwood forests - love your fields of yellow grain, I love your summer breezes, and I love your winter rain, I love you, land of flowers; land of honey, fruit and wine, I love you, California; you have won this heart of mine.
chorus
I love your old gray Missions - love your vineyards streteching far, I love you, California, with your Golden Gate ajar, I love your purple sunsets, love your skies of azure blue,I love you, California; I just can't help loving you.
chorus
I love you, Catalina - you are very dear to me,I love you, Tamalpais, and I love Yosemite, I love you, Land of Sunshine, half your beauties are untold, I loved you in my childhood, and I'll love you when I'm old.
chorus
When the snow crowned Golden SierrasKeep their watch o'er the valleys bloom. It is there I would be in our land by the sea,Ev'ry breeze bearing rich perfume, It is here nature gives of her rarest, It is Home Sweet Home to me.And I know when I die I shall breathe my last sigh

For my sunny California.