Coachella 2012: Friday the 13th

This Monday I was asked if I would go to second Coachella weekend if I had the chance. My throbbing left foot sent the message to my brain and “no” came out of my mouth. Did I say hell no? I’m not sure because I already changed my mind. I would go, take me. After 13 years I’m going to finally know what that “I’m missing out on Coachella” feeling is and I don’t like it.

Friday's weather was its own show, the polo grounds always seem so huge with the endless blue sky above. Last year we had a gorgeous full moon that gracefully illuminated our musical wanderings but this year was the first time, in 13 years that it rained. Not a pouring rain; a sprinkle of fat drops here, some sideways rain there, and misty drizzle at the right moments. Unforgettable. Imagine grey low clouds playing peek a boo with the glorious sun all day and then at twilight the sky opened up to reveal a valley of stars. It was romantic like that until our garnachas started to freeze.

Hello Seahorse! I love them so much and sent people to bed the night before by playing all their videos. I want you to be in love with them too, not because they're Mexican and sing in Spanish but because their music transports you. Lo Blondo showed off some of her opera skills, and they ended their set with Un Ano Quebrado, not a broken ass, tu sabes. They deserved the main stage love.

We saw Neon Indian, Jimmy Cliff, and then to Madness at the Outdoor theater. Madness sounded so good and I did not expect to shed tears to "Our House" but it just triggered those memories of our house on Lexington and how those lyrics are some of the ones I first understood as I transitioned from ESL in first grade. You know how songs remind you not just of your youth but your family's youth when our house was a crowd and mom was so house proud. Just got me nostalgic and choked up but then we skanked it over back to Coachella stage for Pulp. Angelica gives best in show to Pulp and don't hate me for not being a fan, I just don't know their music, I recognize the hits and I know they're important and British. Jarvis Cocker did sound amazing and if La Hopie wasn't playing then I would have watched their full set too. We moved on to Frank Ocean in the Gobi who started off with some country twang and then some R&B stuff that made us take steps back to Pulp. See, I know what's good for me.

Mazzy Star, I wasn't the girl in black in high school but freshman year in college a roommate let me borrow their CDs and I never gave them back. I've seen Hope Sandoval and I knew what to expect but I could tell something wasn't going her way for the first couple of songs. We got reports from friends that were closer that she was bothered by people in the VIP section. I was bothered by the VIP section too Hopie! Why is it so obnoxious now, it takes up my prime viewing area at the outdoor stage and a lot of time it's empty. The band got in synch with She Hangs Brightly and by the time she got to Ghost Highway we were all panza gazing. Cue the misty rain, the lights, the fuzz, we look up after So Tonight That I Might See to an empty stage. I think our group was entranced with the spectacle; the wet desert earth smell, the sad palm trees behind her, the drizzle and her voice- best in show for me.

I could've gone home happy after that but my mission was full sets of M83 and The Horrors. Then we stumbled into the Gobi for a very small hyped crowd, Atari Teenage Riot was amazing. Why didn't I love this band in the 90s? Was I trying to walk away from my house/techno love? I don't know, but I missed out on them then. Dope shit, like amazing powerful voice from that girl and crazy electronic beats with a message!? We should've watched the entire set but we walked back to the Outdoor Theater. There I stood by myself in plastic clothes as I froze listening to some rock opera shit with no lyrics called Explosions in the Sky. Stuff Carlos likes, then we rolled deep to M83.

Something happened with M83, they weren't loud, not loud enough, we were by the speakers and talking and we could hear ourselves talking. I mean, we're next to speakers at a M83 show!?! The crowd was loving it but we just kept looking at each other like what happened? We sat down, it rained more, we got up, we were cold. You know where this is going.

Waiting til midnight for the Horrors, at first I thought it a perfect end to go home with them buzzing in your brain but we couldn't freakin hang. Once we heard the songs I needed to hear live (I know, I hate those people) we walked towards the car. But I lie, someone said they had to go to the bathroom and I had to find brother Jim...so Angie and I walked around the small crowd towards the rail on the right side. Why wasn't there a massive crowd, come on people!!! He's a sexy dude,talented and if you love Ian Curtis' and Paul Bank's voice then you'll love his- I know they'll be around so no problem ey. I'm happy they were there and I finally heard them live. I missed them in 2009, but that doesn't matter because I'm in love with them now.

A la casa, slumber party! She's still this hauntingly beautiful.

Coachella Weekend #2 Kids Camp

Those that know me know that I go to Coachella every year, every day...until 2012. Our friends at Goldenvoice decided to widen their audience by making it fair for more folks to attend. Let's see how this experiment transpires. I would be crying to get in both weekends and doing my best to make it happen if I was young and healthy enough to handle the physical beatdown of Coachella. This event has been my official end of hibernation celebration, my coming out, the reason I shave my legs and hunt down dresses to match my perfect pedicure. But this year, thanks to my plantar fasciitis I'll be rocking my frumpy new balance sneakers because fashion before comfort is not happening.

ANYWAY.

If you are a parent that needs to be at Coachella, and does not have the convenience of having a trusted relative or friend in the vicinity then I am your girl. I'll be at Coachella weekend #1 with my crew and perhaps one or both of my babies but I will be back to take care of yours in my home. I live 3 miles away from the polo grounds and you'll have the peace of mind knowing that you could have fun at the show without putting your child's safety in jeopardy. I see you parents looking stressed out, trying not to be too close to the speakers, letting your partner get closer for the picture and you sitting in the back wishing you could be up in the front like you used to be. I GET IT!!

Coachella WITH KIDS is like this...

-negotiating with security to let the snacks and water in
-smuggling shade and capri suns in stroller
-changing diapers in shady lonely grassy area
-looking for those ear plugs you thought you brought
-becoming friends with the first aid tent
-never going into sahara tent, not even close
-getting there late to avoid the heat
-leaving early to avoid the cold
-missing daft punk

I'm mother to a 3 year old train loving boy and a 6 year old sassy craft making girl. I hold an elementary school credential and have taught in Coachella Valley and Los Angeles schools.

Contact me if interested at xulitron@gmail.com. Serious inquiries only!

Favorite Place: Barnsdall Art Park

It has art, view, art views. Take a class, have a picnic, take a tour...whatever you do here know that you're on top of the best in the city.

http://www.barnsdall.org/

Enero 2012

The year is here, that one that the Mechista at UCR said would end the world. I was 15, clapping for Chicano powers when we broke off into smaller workshops, I just followed the cutest long haired boy. My goal is to not stay in LA. I need a break, we need a break. I made a resolutions to not make a resolution but just to be cuter, wear more dresses and dance more, write more. I took not a single picture this month, wrote not a single letter just went places to be there. To savor the flavor. I held new life this month and celebrated new babies to come. Celebrated birthdays with food and jumpers and candy. I danced with little kids, I hugged friends hard that I hadn't seen since 2011. I felt softer bodies, heard life goals nodded and agreed. I started to tutor, began a writing class and seriously started the UCR application. I saw movies in an actual theater, sharing popcorn with little hands to watch Happy Feet 2 and Beauty and the Beast. Had mama dates with girls that can relate and started watching the news again, just to know what I don't want to know. I'll take pictures in February.

Fiesta de brujas

The Pumpkin Fest at Kidspace this weekend kicked off the Halloween festivities. Here's a list of the goods and tiny reviews of the ones we totally enjoy and more events that if we don't go then you should.

We have little ones that would not be able to handle this at night so we go on Sunday during their regular times 11am-3pm. The suggested donation is $3 and worth it. Their sets capture the creepiness and fun for us and them.

Tim Burton closes this weekend and the LACMA will keep the museum open for 38 hours straight through the night so there is no excuse. AND they slashed the price to $10. We'll be there.

This is an annual tradition for us to see our neighbors and friendly faces walking up and down the boooolevard.

We're now members and will be there to watch critters and ghouls. Our kids enjoy the zoo but we've never been to this event. Saturday and Sunday, October 29 & 30, 2011

I broke tradition and ditched Hollywood Forever this weekend for several reasons but will join this activity at the cowboy museum. Now in it's 2nd year, it's a beautiful event.

La Era Romantica

"ok, we are giving away 15 spots for our secret acoustic show this thursday in los angeles at the chateau marmont... please leave a message now and our favorite/creative ones will get the tickets by end of day!! love, d"

This is the Facebook update of Diego Garcia, ex-Elefant. Thus far, 21 folks are trying to get in and I haven't the foggiest of ideas to write anything. And when I use foggiest of ideas know that I'm typing that phrase for the first time. Mostly, me da pena. I really acted a fool when I saw him play at the Echo. I had put the kids to sleep, put Maria Elena's fancy clip on earrings on and text Beda "I'm on my way". But I knew she was coming in from far so I caught some more movie with Papabear wishing it was us two going on a date instead of just us going out separately. I get to the Echo in exactly 10 minutes and order a Cadillac margarita, my hands still smelling like Palmolive from doing dishes. The girls hadn't arrived yet so I was the lonely girl standing in the back hugging her drink. I never feel alone at the Echo since I see visions of 2002 and present dance in my head. The infamous Gravy Train shows and the memorable Death From Above 1979 show where we partied and drove to Rite-Aid to get some pregnancy tests changing life forever. We even got to see Elefant there, we rolled like 15 deep to see them.

In 2003 Elefant's Sunlight Makes Me Paranoid album was on constant. Perfect soundtrack to a Santa Barbara summer of love. Driving up the 101, sand in hair, the Pacific Ocean. I think, as a couple it's the first band we both discovered and fell in love with. We got a flyer to see Elefant in San Luis Obispo, in a chicken pot pie restaurant. Diego gave a show as if he were in front of hundreds. It was like 30 of us, sitting in large wicker chairs, standing around...swooning. We followed them when they played in LA and Carlos told Diego, see you in Coachella. At Coachella Diego goes up to Carlos like a homie. I got jealous, these men.

I remember that tent was a sweat lodge. Diego pops up on stage with a white shirt, a '10' sharpied to the back. Carlos giving him props for that, me dumbfounded. Of course it takes a soccer fan to know one. The 10 for Maradona, of course. When Morrissey discovered Diego I knew he would break hearts along the tour. Sergio met him in the bay, I got jealous again. These men.

When Beda and Jesenia finally showed up at the Echo they refilled my drink. I thought I was done thinking all these thoughts- ready to dance and sing and throw kisses to a romantic crooner. Then... Julio Iglesias was pumped on the speakers. Months earlier I took Maria Elena to the Indian casino on a hot desert night it was beautiful to watch him perform. Me and my mama sitting together clapping along, "hey..." Knowing that my father would always take out his girl to all the romantic shows made me miss him so much. Seeing how young she looked as she sang along, I loved that moment and I almost lost it at the sticky floored Echo flashbacking on it all. I just kept sipping my drink and trying to focus on the crowd. Brown girl fans he picked up on his Morrissey tour next to skinny white boys. Then my two loud locas and me, the girl throwing kisses wearing her mama's shiny earrings.

LA in the summer

I don't think it's too much of a secret that when the sun shines people are happier. It's true for me and I'm counting down the days for my little one to be done with school to continue our daily field trips. With arts being the first to be cut from school budgets it's important to go out into the city and explore it for yourself. My blogs from now on will focus on our adventures: fun, family and free being the main objective. There really is no excuse to be bored in LA, like ever.