tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91917782248404393492024-02-06T21:16:09.849-08:00 OpineLAGiving my opinion about what's worth it in LA.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-66025699131124336732016-11-28T17:09:00.001-08:002016-11-28T17:09:30.255-08:00Why You Need A Vibrator From EdenFantasys.com | Vibrator Info<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cMzofZJ-t5Q" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-834377380475512052015-05-05T11:33:00.000-07:002015-05-05T11:49:51.467-07:00Happy Cinco de Mayo and Happy Fresh Tamales Going Like Hotcakes at Grassroots!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lAkqgf-8g9OBtkGu7ZPrCxlWalr86aPo4j5riyONjRV672OYBJxUsUH59HmEfH3abNbS_3n6R_ZwVkVjqgeKw59kOcPZWV8pYkYbKoRrDR94ogoeQ2K5b17gluahxRaywEMWR7D1HK0/s1600/Tamale+Lunch+Fiesta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lAkqgf-8g9OBtkGu7ZPrCxlWalr86aPo4j5riyONjRV672OYBJxUsUH59HmEfH3abNbS_3n6R_ZwVkVjqgeKw59kOcPZWV8pYkYbKoRrDR94ogoeQ2K5b17gluahxRaywEMWR7D1HK0/s640/Tamale+Lunch+Fiesta.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
My favorite health food store, the kind that's straight out of the 70's, is in South Pasadena. Grassroots is in a little mini-mall at Fair Oaks & Oxley. And every Cinco de Mayo, for two days, May 5th & 6th, they celebrate by serving up fresh, home-made, unbelievably delicious Tamales.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMXnlXZF36JZcIGihzwNsKUXQnw8zoSV6nLKSk9NONv2Y5Tuf2bn9e3FqdkUpUnsgyr2rs9g9gG4MoquhyphenhyphendKc4p8PbghqyAeHecfBxnbYlYLGLlLNdqdDMeTlRutVnY-qOFivvg4moeo/s1600/Green+Cheese+Tamales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMXnlXZF36JZcIGihzwNsKUXQnw8zoSV6nLKSk9NONv2Y5Tuf2bn9e3FqdkUpUnsgyr2rs9g9gG4MoquhyphenhyphendKc4p8PbghqyAeHecfBxnbYlYLGLlLNdqdDMeTlRutVnY-qOFivvg4moeo/s640/Green+Cheese+Tamales.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fresh Green Chile & Cheese Tamales. $4.75 a piece</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Apparently the kitchen worked tirelessly to make these amazing, authentic treats. I mean for days. They have Machaca, Chicken, Green Chili and Cheese (my favorite), Pork, and Jackfruit. Jackfruit by the way is delicious and an amazing source of protein. It's like you know when everyone told you to eat kale and would tell you it's worth it but you sort of had to admit you didn't like kale that much? Well, jackfruit is delish. No rationalizing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACaFDTcrOd6Z7dGCWivjR0yq4gxlh4-BSQdnOGXw_kNf6GMVOtC6mxqcEzK9MlcfkAHMhYoCoDwX_cs2y28sN41_p9jl73LkOPEQSpxfMmp4GhUdfBULeJVj82uFP6bpMFjNUessawH8/s1600/Specials+at+Grassroots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACaFDTcrOd6Z7dGCWivjR0yq4gxlh4-BSQdnOGXw_kNf6GMVOtC6mxqcEzK9MlcfkAHMhYoCoDwX_cs2y28sN41_p9jl73LkOPEQSpxfMmp4GhUdfBULeJVj82uFP6bpMFjNUessawH8/s640/Specials+at+Grassroots.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They also serve an outstanding, homemade, rojo or verde sauce to go with them:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaOqe-3vKsfNFKKZkYOlSI9jDSBKMwkXMF_id4cphS0aLe_XlHuQ7xs95YVnQeR70z4mfv3cL6lfOD4ylZmpGuGXHrst_Q_Fo_-LF2AGsybb74VSAYPofslC0FvcgnulTjdcci5Ca0Bg/s1600/Red+Sauce+Recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaOqe-3vKsfNFKKZkYOlSI9jDSBKMwkXMF_id4cphS0aLe_XlHuQ7xs95YVnQeR70z4mfv3cL6lfOD4ylZmpGuGXHrst_Q_Fo_-LF2AGsybb74VSAYPofslC0FvcgnulTjdcci5Ca0Bg/s640/Red+Sauce+Recipe.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm so excited. Got like half a dozen. Freezing a few and eating some for dinner. Home in bed nursing a cold but this? This all feels healthy.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxlK7YW7uZncLrpGyT8u7_QDsIx6aw0Wpx4VOW4hUTeDW226d5THVnAt4qvLxeB1FDa-E599AM1v96sVHJffiU-v7nSfYMdmdtoALCLDquhFE4OGhj0eiZnhTuHoLpRjK1o2DNN-ax_4/s1600/Where+to+Buy+Fresh+Tamales+LA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxlK7YW7uZncLrpGyT8u7_QDsIx6aw0Wpx4VOW4hUTeDW226d5THVnAt4qvLxeB1FDa-E599AM1v96sVHJffiU-v7nSfYMdmdtoALCLDquhFE4OGhj0eiZnhTuHoLpRjK1o2DNN-ax_4/s640/Where+to+Buy+Fresh+Tamales+LA.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Labeled everything. They're very nice.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So remember this is just for today and tomorrow that they have these kick-ass tamales. The kitchen opens at 9am and though the market is open until 7, the kitchen closes at 4pm.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX977N8XYyeOgkSohMql_N5K8I-Q1BrJXhmDXiYrQf9jM-qn-DxthsJ-_aaUNCYKaehNnx_zGA0Jh4NWLCzFStcWOpaU6QNNcrb9lsJ5PmqNSIe4_BvJ5lFhNPikhFj8oKyoCwfHR604/s1600/Special+of+The+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX977N8XYyeOgkSohMql_N5K8I-Q1BrJXhmDXiYrQf9jM-qn-DxthsJ-_aaUNCYKaehNnx_zGA0Jh4NWLCzFStcWOpaU6QNNcrb9lsJ5PmqNSIe4_BvJ5lFhNPikhFj8oKyoCwfHR604/s640/Special+of+The+Day.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
And by the way, you may want to come here anyway. They have everything: vitamins, neti pots (which when I went to go buy one asked them if they had a "honey pot." That was embarrassing), and these OUTSTANDING brownies that are like gluten-free and the whole deal and will knock your socks off. In other words, maybe every day you eat gluten, fucking love the stuff, cannot get enough. That's fine. You'd love these, too. They're cakey, moist, flavorful. Trust me, I'm a snob. Hey, that's a great name for my latest autobiography. Where's my assistant? <i>Assistant? Take note!</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX40DdcuawBr9VEPxVnbAsNGmLuLv4GszCuleFh8Ft-WLp32Zois1gbNSnX70rZBjrZsbsE4DmeWVqI2MTcm-17E2jRqsMSSf0EljLkU8Dg5tqkgH8btylJ8I72NZFHp94FBevH_9EUyw/s1600/The+Big+Yummy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX40DdcuawBr9VEPxVnbAsNGmLuLv4GszCuleFh8Ft-WLp32Zois1gbNSnX70rZBjrZsbsE4DmeWVqI2MTcm-17E2jRqsMSSf0EljLkU8Dg5tqkgH8btylJ8I72NZFHp94FBevH_9EUyw/s640/The+Big+Yummy.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Big Yummy is a Big Yes.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's almost amusing how good they are. And just in case you go when it's not May 5th or 6th, I have to recommend their Bowls. They have The Fiesta Bowl, $8.95, Vegan Chicken, $10.50, The Cuban Bowl which I love because Plantains are my favorite thing ever, $8.95 and plenty more. The one I always get is The Chili Bowl. Never took a picture of it but man, so good. Vegan Chili (made with Tempeh) or Beef Chili (all their beef, chicken, turkey & pork are raised naturally without hormones or antibiotics), rice (brown or Spanish though yesterday they had Spanish Quinoa which was fabulosity), cheddar or soy cheese, avo, scallions or red onions. Top it with some sour cream and DUDE, you're a happy peace-loving camper. $10.50 for the bowl. Oh, and you can get it on freshly made corn bread. How nice is that?<br />
<br />
Speaking of Corn...<br />
<br />
I implore you, if you care about food at all:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefm8vS-2GEXvkEoLq-cMbFzDjXS8-uyqHfngR_SXW81drWoCRhW1h_o_ryFnEO06Wq0pD2clS0TEw4VWNiNEfjz6JhZHVgKbe-cs0E52cBPfTwXyV57mVXUhGT3-InOU1KjSAGFVIvIk/s1600/Beef+Machaca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefm8vS-2GEXvkEoLq-cMbFzDjXS8-uyqHfngR_SXW81drWoCRhW1h_o_ryFnEO06Wq0pD2clS0TEw4VWNiNEfjz6JhZHVgKbe-cs0E52cBPfTwXyV57mVXUhGT3-InOU1KjSAGFVIvIk/s640/Beef+Machaca.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Beef Machaca Tamales at Grassroots Natural Market & Kitchen</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Grassroots Natural Market & Kitchen is at 1119 Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91030. Hours are Monday thru Friday, 9am to 7pm, Saturday, 9am-6pm, and Sunday 10am to 5pm. But remember the kitchen closes at 4pm and on Sundays, only the juice bar is open. Parking available for free. Tamales are made special for today and tomorrow. $4.75 a piece. You can call ahead if you want to save time. 626.799.0156.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Feliz Cinco de Mayo!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVm0OOB2PeYMH3Cqc9FIspTRc2cYn21qv_xMKkBNCuAT9j1vyQ2MSf4BtiY4GZRJZyp5aeEv6kba9rGta1P-UFMQNnnOd304wkBSE-jwX6lMv_ExKyo2sE3PqMNLl7otSLdvJMXe90hhU/s1600/Happy+Cinco+de+Mayo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVm0OOB2PeYMH3Cqc9FIspTRc2cYn21qv_xMKkBNCuAT9j1vyQ2MSf4BtiY4GZRJZyp5aeEv6kba9rGta1P-UFMQNnnOd304wkBSE-jwX6lMv_ExKyo2sE3PqMNLl7otSLdvJMXe90hhU/s640/Happy+Cinco+de+Mayo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
Enjoy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-35982538064843914602015-04-18T11:49:00.001-07:002015-04-19T07:31:21.691-07:00Oh My God I Have a Blog & Paris Photo LA is Coming Up! Get Your Tix!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajJfeEvsc6c1pTqcgp20rdyd6uavJEz8wMIWjWoFhnkJxzUY90BAB6VwgZkcN7zeABp-KfQBaAFyIfvS-fGYUe-UY7LYOmFssPICBvoFb0uXKCgg8Bu1ZEsafYVyNJqB_HrHAR4Yib3M/s1600/Bourdin+Guy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajJfeEvsc6c1pTqcgp20rdyd6uavJEz8wMIWjWoFhnkJxzUY90BAB6VwgZkcN7zeABp-KfQBaAFyIfvS-fGYUe-UY7LYOmFssPICBvoFb0uXKCgg8Bu1ZEsafYVyNJqB_HrHAR4Yib3M/s1600/Bourdin+Guy.jpg" height="640" width="608" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bourdin Guy's on exhibit at Paris Photo LA, 2015 (from Foam in Amsterdam)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I seriously know know know this is such a good place for me to have an outlet. I always forget it's here. Yes, like I said in my last post, I've been writing. This blog is supposed to be about my recommendations about cool stuff in LA but because I've been consumed with another creative endeavor, I've not had a chance to do that. I miss it! I wish there were more hours in the day.<br />
<br />
But what I am planning on doing I'm extremely excited about. I have this goal to shoot what I've been writing in May, on my own dime, so you know, it will literally be a dime. So terrified. So happy people want to work on it with me. So hopeful about it. And yet I'm not one of the young kids who are like "No big deal! I shoot shit in my sleep." Not me. Still it's so much fun and I happen to really love the characters and the world. Maybe I'll even post the outcome here. I don't know. Who knows what the future holds?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXDURXoGNjD0-ShgabCJpQ1B9MYTNTbfde7iIW8sO7leFwUJ2A4C3Hg2-v7RsdRmvMLKk6ftdpdF7ORMH1zgwdbz6S9F5rCjhW3KS-HBcVDpauvIHBLJ4GNcxg-GyNgYBVsJKnQNbKUo/s1600/Paris+Photo+LA+The+Beatles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXDURXoGNjD0-ShgabCJpQ1B9MYTNTbfde7iIW8sO7leFwUJ2A4C3Hg2-v7RsdRmvMLKk6ftdpdF7ORMH1zgwdbz6S9F5rCjhW3KS-HBcVDpauvIHBLJ4GNcxg-GyNgYBVsJKnQNbKUo/s1600/Paris+Photo+LA+The+Beatles.jpg" height="472" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Paris Photo, LA</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That being said, I'm distracted, big time. It's always a good sign when the house is messy. Means I'm in the zone (or mentally ill). And listen, there's other big stuff too, but the web series is one of the bigger projects that's taken me out of this hobby - this blog - my sweet Opine LA!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBclFa6KwzugptsvYjihwejpDkyyUh5nUod9BXRDvP80SOVN8MCr7AMhauaVOIhXp4CrIXD1Ewj-DXRAqw6T5OHChNdtsQHOso47y8sm0HuCuf5pBwxiWgWwZrF5wKp-C_rAcfKrOFFvQ/s1600/Thomas+Joshua+Cooper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBclFa6KwzugptsvYjihwejpDkyyUh5nUod9BXRDvP80SOVN8MCr7AMhauaVOIhXp4CrIXD1Ewj-DXRAqw6T5OHChNdtsQHOso47y8sm0HuCuf5pBwxiWgWwZrF5wKp-C_rAcfKrOFFvQ/s1600/Thomas+Joshua+Cooper.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Thomas Joshua Cooper, Snake River from the Ingleby Gallery will be on exhibit</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And the anniversary of it's birth is coming up. My first post was about my adventure hitting Paris Photo LA with my good friends, Max & Nicole.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJv2ZEAW4lLhROyzYUTuO4rfs7OPR4tRElRdp1kX7BdwldgAa3JZA1CiKPRH8svO155QFxdJNJOT3W6yPaJj45ZGjpEGRfDeZq_kCxfyA-6LjaYvHQOzsNovSQm1dnIHz2L8spgp6b3_s/s1600/Paris+Photo+LA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJv2ZEAW4lLhROyzYUTuO4rfs7OPR4tRElRdp1kX7BdwldgAa3JZA1CiKPRH8svO155QFxdJNJOT3W6yPaJj45ZGjpEGRfDeZq_kCxfyA-6LjaYvHQOzsNovSQm1dnIHz2L8spgp6b3_s/s1600/Paris+Photo+LA.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Paris Photo LA, me, Max & Nic</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm so sad I'll miss being there with them this year (and I believe my cutie pants friend Heather is going as well). Oh Paris Photo LA! It is so spectacular. So much fun. SO WORTH IT.<br />
<br />
Paris Photo will be in May. May 1-3 on The Paramount Lot to be specific. They'll be hosting 80 leading galleries and be showcasing art from 17 countries. It is so cool to be on the lot, seeing art in the stages and backlot. And they always have food trucks (though if you're in a crunch starving and need something before or after, get a veggie burger with zucchini fries at Astro Burger on the corner of Gower and Melrose. Oh, and ask for extra dipping sauce for the zucchini fries. You won't regret it).<br />
<br />
If I wasn't going to Portland to see the maternal side of the fam, trust me, nothing would keep me away. Oh how I will miss it!<br />
<br />
ENJOY!<br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
<br />
Paris Photo's Link for Tix & Info: <a href="http://www.parisphoto.com/losangeles">http://www.parisphoto.com/losangeles</a><br />
Astro Burger is at 5601 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Here's the link: <a href="http://www.astroburger.com/">http://www.astroburger.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIjyO-mNRjHMzWDaF6F_dbp9s1UFcWbNeem9oNrGlo7U8DwHA9fqJyoJuO53ez3-2uiwmgTLkZCs3IKpYHz73ngAMgl-00K6lLMpjwfNvIA3S1FCK2qkGKhuOmd9nJOoHEbBy1WGHHmK0/s1600/Stage+32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIjyO-mNRjHMzWDaF6F_dbp9s1UFcWbNeem9oNrGlo7U8DwHA9fqJyoJuO53ez3-2uiwmgTLkZCs3IKpYHz73ngAMgl-00K6lLMpjwfNvIA3S1FCK2qkGKhuOmd9nJOoHEbBy1WGHHmK0/s640/Stage+32.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
Paris Photo at Paramount April 27, 2013 - the first pic on my blog.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-30372814078211830922015-03-27T07:24:00.000-07:002015-03-27T07:24:23.859-07:00When I Don't Post for Awhile...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzphJsAfIVVDBiMwSSxUKz9IR-fJ-QNxCmgSUZBWRDCYtjXZf7ZZ4Oy4gSpVCZz6PKQ2oCe__oDFBUKBdNxH1gUjRk8CyI5tdwbSTtg_opTkLLttSwUaUVOhyYRlCgYr1CxWwS6e176UM/s1600/Cynthia+Greenburg+Writing+in+Home+Office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzphJsAfIVVDBiMwSSxUKz9IR-fJ-QNxCmgSUZBWRDCYtjXZf7ZZ4Oy4gSpVCZz6PKQ2oCe__oDFBUKBdNxH1gUjRk8CyI5tdwbSTtg_opTkLLttSwUaUVOhyYRlCgYr1CxWwS6e176UM/s1600/Cynthia+Greenburg+Writing+in+Home+Office.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
So when I don't post for awhile, I'm writing. I think about this site, think about stuff to tell you about (Cacao in Eagle Rock - just found it, am never gonna let it go, Mark Peel's new shack has opened up at Grand Central Market - have to go there and can't believe I haven't yet, and my friend Laurie told me about secret hikes that we will go on) and I sometimes visit and see the pictures I posted and I'm like I gotta post new pictures! I gotta honor the people and businesses I photographed in Silverlake, etc., etc. But the good news about when I'm not on here is I'm writing scripts.<br />
<br />
It's not always easy. Writing can be a lonely business (unless you're staffed on a show and maybe even then if you don't like the staff!). I sometimes feel like I'm going nuts. One of the reasons I started this blog was if I had writer's block, I could write something different, factual-oriented, just to break up the monotony. If you're stumped and aren't coming up with the goods, a blog post can be a great palate cleanser. And seriously, just to emerge from the cave known as home and be in the sunshine and take photos and see art and eat good food -- who wouldn't want to do that? I'll tell you who, a depressed writer, staring at a blank screen. So the blog really is a sort of salvation for me. Hopefully it gives people a fun idea of what to do and see in my town and it really gives me a break.<br />
<br />
So anyway, I'm on the cusp of getting super precious and I actually think it's really boring to talk about writing in the blog. But I just wanted some sort of an explanation as to why so absent. I love this site so much. It's been a salvation for me. And it isn't going anywhere. Swear!<br />
<br />
Please keep visiting - I'm closing in on 30,000 hits! That's a lot for someone like me! And if you have stuff you want me to visit, please get in touch. Would love to hear about it. I am slowly clawing my way back to civilization, the sunshine beckons, the burgers smell delicious and the cave is not as alluring as the beach.<br />
<br />
MWAH!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-38287887937631416182015-02-18T13:04:00.000-08:002015-02-18T15:20:48.848-08:00Larry Sultan LACMA OxygenI fucking love art and I love my friends. On a sunny day, when you should be doing this and you should be doing that, the reality is you're not doing this and you're not doing that and it's not good lying around, perusing social media and basically NOT GETTING SHIT DONE. So, the first order of business is to LEAVE YOUR HOUSE. The next is to realize you live in an incredible city with incredible people and incredible beauty and insight. The next? Breathe....<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqOXsc0uz3HV-qCDCxze140HzFQqMJU_RaQn7paiXji9LE7sQh91oKGPkNmMm8Ukl1usvcicbMpUdaUNJ0xnr0oTv1NiWRG6Ahc0rZ1ockq5brIPgjhA80Jx9kWLuaZdk-f1yyy65XxI/s1600/IMG_5117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqOXsc0uz3HV-qCDCxze140HzFQqMJU_RaQn7paiXji9LE7sQh91oKGPkNmMm8Ukl1usvcicbMpUdaUNJ0xnr0oTv1NiWRG6Ahc0rZ1ockq5brIPgjhA80Jx9kWLuaZdk-f1yyy65XxI/s1600/IMG_5117.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Beautiful Stephanie, with Oxygen (which by the way, cured her migraine!)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This Sunday, a friend of mine, Heather, invited some girls over for a Valentine's Brunch at her place near LACMA where she prepared quiches, coffee and pulled out an oxygen tank.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwUY3o_KUTfUdi96qzbcEc3uhIkfNDv15OR4g4uPOOiB-qtjXYCRjccOZcFum7jF6av1WH0-MmLu8kjVs8YJIimJSwBpWt0EbCYaNX6ST09gTMmnQnbPdaD2LKcsU8_2FjihwmN1A588/s1600/IMG_5114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwUY3o_KUTfUdi96qzbcEc3uhIkfNDv15OR4g4uPOOiB-qtjXYCRjccOZcFum7jF6av1WH0-MmLu8kjVs8YJIimJSwBpWt0EbCYaNX6ST09gTMmnQnbPdaD2LKcsU8_2FjihwmN1A588/s1600/IMG_5114.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Heather practically air guitaring her oxygen tank</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I love oxygen. I just had no idea how sexy it could make someone look but seriously, my friends look hot with oxygen masks on! Anyway, it was fun to hang out, catch up, have girl talk and use her oxygen mask (and her massage chair which is not like the massage chair at the nail places. It's really good).<br />
<br />
Afterwards I had THE BEST TIME because like an addict, I went to nearby LACMA for yet another hit of Larry Sultan.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWvV4FS0IC76jgNIPTyNKniUCzPbbHe1Mstea9cykGJaomM-BxkTnccRRuTBdm7y2a8ZlXOEdAc-iBn2wXmxan9irMOenH1MCEKfNM48_mNwO8iV3yhPK0hmV4LfBcITrN4Eb00ll_0I/s1600/IMG_5130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWvV4FS0IC76jgNIPTyNKniUCzPbbHe1Mstea9cykGJaomM-BxkTnccRRuTBdm7y2a8ZlXOEdAc-iBn2wXmxan9irMOenH1MCEKfNM48_mNwO8iV3yhPK0hmV4LfBcITrN4Eb00ll_0I/s1600/IMG_5130.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sharon Wild, by Larry Sultan</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Larry Sultan is AMAZING. He grew up in The Valley and took these outstanding photographs to interpret, reimagine, and make good of his upbringing, environment and family. Some of the most unnerving, comical, disturbing and provoking photos are the ones he took of porn stars and porn production. I've never seen anything like it. Like this one above of Sharon Wild. The bare mattress, the weird pink gauze-y sheet, the suitcase. Her face with anger, acceptance, sadness? Her pose of protectiveness, like "I'm off the clock, Larry, you don't get this when I'm off the clock, you get me." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But it's the photos of his parents that sell it. So uncomfortable, so comical. And I love the quote on the wall that he took these photographs, motivated by this desire to stop time; that he wanted his parents to live forever:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSReyL1Ksy7Nghu_Pof0RAzRTzSOVlJjU-u6bISA7nG20RuDPXE450xXl8POoKB-xbAvGF7SHS9JhnqKud3W2sg8HDwgkRi_pdNNvRpMgmyRzVvzzKSpBzRcZ_6Vt9IEte1YGoo-kFie8/s1600/IMG_5126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSReyL1Ksy7Nghu_Pof0RAzRTzSOVlJjU-u6bISA7nG20RuDPXE450xXl8POoKB-xbAvGF7SHS9JhnqKud3W2sg8HDwgkRi_pdNNvRpMgmyRzVvzzKSpBzRcZ_6Vt9IEte1YGoo-kFie8/s1600/IMG_5126.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's something so vulnerable, so sweet, so human, so bare and this feeling like <i>They're just trying. They're just people. They're just giving it their best shot with what they have at the moment in time, in their generation. </i>Oh my God, the photos of his parents just killed me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
LACMA is seriously one of the best museums on earth. I'm sure of this. And it's right here, right in our backyard. Right real close to Heather's house. I mean she could walk there. And what is so cool was on Sunday after Heather's, my husband met me there. First I showed him Larry Sultan but then we went to the top floor of the Broad Contemporary Bldg. to the Abstract show, which, by the way, he had made some cracks about because I think it's called "Conversations In and Around Abstract Painting." I mean that is pretty fun to make fun of but then, of course, the show won us over AND we stumbled upon an amazing fact: a friend of my husband's is in the show!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvjp-xAbA6cceGzumsN85QNt1xndoxgMbm0VrkVRXjkW2M8PX5PsDKwti2AX228rgwZA_H8FL1XvKRK-jpiHwKUfX-wzwKpoqvQJmCd0GCGIhCaoaEWMuyHlTo3v9XtzGZHfeUXR5YgY/s1600/IMG_5138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvjp-xAbA6cceGzumsN85QNt1xndoxgMbm0VrkVRXjkW2M8PX5PsDKwti2AX228rgwZA_H8FL1XvKRK-jpiHwKUfX-wzwKpoqvQJmCd0GCGIhCaoaEWMuyHlTo3v9XtzGZHfeUXR5YgY/s1600/IMG_5138.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Terry, my husband, beside HIS FRIEND'S ART: Love Forever (Cave) for MW by Mary Weatherford</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yeah, we're gonna talk about that shit now, right? We were so pleasantly surprised. I mean so much so that when he looked at Mary's piece, appropo of nothing, he said, "I like that one." And then we got up close and realized it was Mary's! Of course when I realized this, I told anyone who would listen, <i>Yeah, we know the artist. Yeah, she's a local. A good friend of my husband's. Uh huh. </i>So fucking cool! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYg9hPjFlh2aAtl-AGO2BpcWGywQiDRrb-YEzUBDxxBfg3lbPiWBo-luvJyDx6G3mncVyz5pd8yRYkmtFu41-T1Du3zK3V20eHmuvBuTgCk5DLfg0mnc1lqS5fprFqaS3uDNSBXeIFtE/s1600/IMG_5140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYg9hPjFlh2aAtl-AGO2BpcWGywQiDRrb-YEzUBDxxBfg3lbPiWBo-luvJyDx6G3mncVyz5pd8yRYkmtFu41-T1Du3zK3V20eHmuvBuTgCk5DLfg0mnc1lqS5fprFqaS3uDNSBXeIFtE/s1600/IMG_5140.JPG" height="154" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Abstract Art at LACMA in one of those PAN photos which I'm not sure is a good or a bad iPhone feature</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So if you go to LACMA, and if you're smart you will, go check that out. And while you're on that floor, check out the movie(s) entitled Touch Parade in the room behind Mary's. There's a piece there featuring this guy wearing a white sneaker rolling around a pickle until he crushes it with his foot. I know that might not <i>sound</i> entertaining but for some reason it's EXTREMELY entertaining.<br />
<br />
But really, the big thing is to make sure you see Larry Sultan's show.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7rxN0kZ5IO4-FJx2jSFNdfRa9BmysQWlmvGVg7kRe3pYmcgCS2wZEFZI52Cd1NhbiYSwYvXu2sA8YTTYVkjUHlgCwpmUgdewy_kTjn2zZXx9dINvkiNueo8l0dnmQf0MO8m7hGEkHRM/s1600/IMG_5131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7rxN0kZ5IO4-FJx2jSFNdfRa9BmysQWlmvGVg7kRe3pYmcgCS2wZEFZI52Cd1NhbiYSwYvXu2sA8YTTYVkjUHlgCwpmUgdewy_kTjn2zZXx9dINvkiNueo8l0dnmQf0MO8m7hGEkHRM/s1600/IMG_5131.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Collaboration with Mike Mandel - billboards they had put all around LA</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXmtCLmKXqMzB6dDbi56ccVmh-y_n851osRW_iSttTbLZxHl3m0moMpUtFKwIWC-lJPGaffSq68uR8tfTRzvzYshKu31Eb1fI3NphH4SCkSYdpQ0ZAht0tPn1JVw97l76iaNheoLLmUc/s1600/IMG_5133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXmtCLmKXqMzB6dDbi56ccVmh-y_n851osRW_iSttTbLZxHl3m0moMpUtFKwIWC-lJPGaffSq68uR8tfTRzvzYshKu31Eb1fI3NphH4SCkSYdpQ0ZAht0tPn1JVw97l76iaNheoLLmUc/s1600/IMG_5133.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Incredible re-imagining of Larry Sultan's upbringing by extracting stills from home movies</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoS5stFGkaGiTWbNS5OYbIjc1lxMsurCkaShlR8DIFz2pS7C9PBuWzsTbhdvpxuNv3tOzeNmOFQQDQg5omayak7gG16yjMLpq1cGgDsgWRqyKYJf4E0IHl0CIoanEIOZahQOeH5jhoZs/s1600/IMG_5129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoS5stFGkaGiTWbNS5OYbIjc1lxMsurCkaShlR8DIFz2pS7C9PBuWzsTbhdvpxuNv3tOzeNmOFQQDQg5omayak7gG16yjMLpq1cGgDsgWRqyKYJf4E0IHl0CIoanEIOZahQOeH5jhoZs/s1600/IMG_5129.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Off Sepulveda, 2001 (creepy porn moment - but amazing shot)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
LACMA IS OXYGEN.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.lacma.org/visit/plan-your-visit">LACMA</a> is at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, LA, CA 90036. Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 11-5. Friday 11-8. Saturday and Sunday 11-7. Daily "children" under 17 can go for free, as long as they're accompanied by at least one adult (reminds me how I used to get into Danceteria in NYC). After 3p on Mondays and Fridays, LACMA is free to LA residents, but bring proof of residency like your license. Also the 2nd Tuesday of each month LACMA is free to all. YAY! If you're going on a weekday, parking on Wilshire is not allowed after 4pm. So park on 6th for metered parking and walk through the back. It's nice to enter that way anyway. You get to walk by the Tar Pits that always look lame to me but if you have a kid with you, they might think that's cool.<br />
<br />
ENJOY!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpLex-6b_kuyrvOYdAZN7PiAyLJxvDcJ-eGqc6eGFridEABQXpn6ZbMPRts87sNuKMRYl0f5YS42jROFI0Znh_CHmX0IjE1hwKID2SFDafUYhjoNy3WY-ovIH8rGaGCpgD0g4r9-rXr8/s1600/IMG_5139.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpLex-6b_kuyrvOYdAZN7PiAyLJxvDcJ-eGqc6eGFridEABQXpn6ZbMPRts87sNuKMRYl0f5YS42jROFI0Znh_CHmX0IjE1hwKID2SFDafUYhjoNy3WY-ovIH8rGaGCpgD0g4r9-rXr8/s1600/IMG_5139.MOV" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Why is a guy crushing a pickle with a white sneaker so freakin hypnotic?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-61770293247941450162015-02-01T14:15:00.003-08:002015-02-01T15:20:36.191-08:00Music in LA Tonight: Michiko Freemond<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1frAwK21OFH8yFnE1y1ij_vDZoMSuJzJLPY4ql2jMPuzC2wSc3nRCTfcIvcZ47cfrUBiS54Q0IZNUwiWcdvfS5ZEBloBy2Z9aKMc3hhC5GHjzoKaIoiO186kWdODq4HNpOHLIhfRdHqg/s1600/Michiko+Freemond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1frAwK21OFH8yFnE1y1ij_vDZoMSuJzJLPY4ql2jMPuzC2wSc3nRCTfcIvcZ47cfrUBiS54Q0IZNUwiWcdvfS5ZEBloBy2Z9aKMc3hhC5GHjzoKaIoiO186kWdODq4HNpOHLIhfRdHqg/s1600/Michiko+Freemond.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
Ah, good music. Could it trump football? Superbowl Sunday is a national holiday and we would get off work if we worked on Sundays. Some of us do, and to the bartenders, busboys and valets, I am sorry, ladies & gents. I hope at the very least you make a lot of dough.<br />
<br />
But tonight, at Hotel Cafe, if football is not your jam or if futbol is but not football, then I recommend you check out my good friend, Michiko Freemond. She's a little Joni Mitchell, a little Tom Waits, and add in some Lucinda and you got it. Here's <a href="http://mfreemond.wix.com/michikoandrosewood">Michiko</a> and a video she cut when recording with Brant Biles. [<a href="http://mfreemond.wix.com/michikoandrosewood">VIDEO LINK</a>]<br />
<br />
Tix are available on <a href="https://www.hotelcafe.com/">The Hotel Cafe</a> website but you probably can take advantage of Superbowl Sunday, get there at 6:30 and not pay the upcharge you might on the website.<br />
<br />
It's 11 bucks to get in the door. Below is Michiko at her Molly Malone's show:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G9_qtA4ivaE" width="459"></iframe></div>
<a href="https://www.hotelcafe.com/tickets/?s=events_view&id=3568">Hotel Cafe</a> is at 1623 1/2 Cahuenga Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90028. 323.461.2040. It's 3 blocks west of Vine between Sunset and Hollywood. If you don't find street parking, there's parking at the yogurt place, on Selma and Cahuenga for 5 bucks.<br />
<br />
Here's more info: <a href="https://www.hotelcafe.com/parking.html">PARKING AT THE HOTEL CAFE</a>.<br />
<br />
And if you want to get weird with genre bending music, stick around. At 8p, The Evangenitals play.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y2O2vxeGLOE" width="480"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I am so pissed I'm sick! Enjoy!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-4670981285389218782015-01-29T11:17:00.003-08:002015-01-29T16:07:15.730-08:00The Rolling Stones at The Taschen Gallery -- Get What You NeedI had SOOOOOO much fun yesterday. Oh my God. It was one of those freedom days. One of those alive days. And unexpected. Completely unplanned. Which is always the best.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1APpbEahOjtCbMLQWFLwnG3hQQZfx6TCfRVw9A2JGuQZXncR6V9iYp9knFv99mYIX-RGU8qafx9cpkX6fUy91KoPLuZuiIr-iieVEN2N7sV979Okrni4VtmLylw95GGHiQTWn7zFDiQg/s1600/Orgasmic+Mick+Jagger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Mick agger" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1APpbEahOjtCbMLQWFLwnG3hQQZfx6TCfRVw9A2JGuQZXncR6V9iYp9knFv99mYIX-RGU8qafx9cpkX6fUy91KoPLuZuiIr-iieVEN2N7sV979Okrni4VtmLylw95GGHiQTWn7zFDiQg/s1600/Orgasmic+Mick+Jagger.jpg" height="640" title="Mick Jagger" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sexy hot and unfair, Photo by Ethan Russell, 1972. The Official name of this photograph is "Lips."</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had to go to the WGA and because of that, I ended up seeing my friend, Adco, at Joan's on 3rd for an impromptu friend date. I have to do a real post for Joan's on 3rd but I will say this, as hoighty toighty as it is, it's also incredibly relaxed and it has a DAMN good cup of coffee (and super good crispy bacon. I didn't even know they served breakfast and you <i>know</i> how into breakfast I am these days). I also want to say seeing Adam reminds me of all that is good: cars, music, art, New York, our mutual friend, Dina and The Rolling Stones.<br />
<br />
So it made good sense that on my way home I stopped by the Taschen Gallery to see The Stones show. Earlier in the morning I drove by and remembered Ad had attended the opening night for the exhibit. I remembered the pictures and it looked like fun but forgot. And then boom, I saw this...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqFPqpK0CunYhRDyDFFeoAf84acRFv0MSCzC_sqG6jOUUqIgpIRbqCAgby55vy9cte-AyOI6SnmOnr2rFhJ6n2RR41mkxahQ1hN29DNX31zPdD5XNmPzFk4Fz6hYDXGp0SNLMmUx1DE0/s1600/I'ts%2BJust%2BA%2BShot%2BAway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tashen Gallery" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqFPqpK0CunYhRDyDFFeoAf84acRFv0MSCzC_sqG6jOUUqIgpIRbqCAgby55vy9cte-AyOI6SnmOnr2rFhJ6n2RR41mkxahQ1hN29DNX31zPdD5XNmPzFk4Fz6hYDXGp0SNLMmUx1DE0/s1600/I'ts%2BJust%2BA%2BShot%2BAway.jpg" height="480" title="Taschen Gallery" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...on the corner of Beverly and Crescent Heights. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I was growing up I was obsessed with/scared by/attracted to The Rolling Stones. But it was in NYC with my Tall Friend Jen that I became completely, irrationally obsessed. To date, Mick is the only rock star I've ever had a sex dream about and I gotta admit the truth, I'm pretty proud of that.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_9BjPO-atAAom7_aUuEjLAg1tVTHG_DyN5QvTKDIbOjUuRVg9-ag8yGnLEqVTYUY9PecHqGu44k_GZ_A1eiQlD2s_QtAf1VCU4TGX8CWMW0Y69b5Ef-URWTaquTG5gjH8ANMTgSW_Hc/s1600/Mick+in+White+and+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_9BjPO-atAAom7_aUuEjLAg1tVTHG_DyN5QvTKDIbOjUuRVg9-ag8yGnLEqVTYUY9PecHqGu44k_GZ_A1eiQlD2s_QtAf1VCU4TGX8CWMW0Y69b5Ef-URWTaquTG5gjH8ANMTgSW_Hc/s1600/Mick+in+White+and+Blue.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My boyfriend, Mick Jagger. Photo by Jean-Marie Perier, Paris, 1966</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You probably know about Taschen because of their famous Dian Hanson books.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGedURX4L_zr3H2OMHnS7PRsGid9QgK9fxIWVDzFua51Jhmq5oD8KwcWDSi96wrnIZsSCwqWiSAhVZBJ61cRY23KL12_23p6IFXG6Khbm4WpTxcxkI_Rq8y317lwpmS7wSjXIlDwig6M/s1600/The+Big+Book+of+Breasts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGedURX4L_zr3H2OMHnS7PRsGid9QgK9fxIWVDzFua51Jhmq5oD8KwcWDSi96wrnIZsSCwqWiSAhVZBJ61cRY23KL12_23p6IFXG6Khbm4WpTxcxkI_Rq8y317lwpmS7wSjXIlDwig6M/s1600/The+Big+Book+of+Breasts.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div>
You've seen them for years. They're known as the "sexy books." And there's a great article I recently read about Dian Hanson in <a href="http://www.believermag.com/issues/201501/?read=interview_hanson">Believer Mag</a>. Check it out.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But this exhibit is Taschen's first here in LA. They opened mid-December and way to open! With The Stones! Nice! Because it's been such a success, they've extended the photographic exhibit - which has close to 100 photos throughout the years - to February 15th. And you know, you think Taschen, you think books. So of course, there's a huge and luscious Stones book with the pics from the exhibit on sale for $150. And because it's Taschen, there's also a mega 5k book with all The Stones signatures...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiCqItxie9kzYHOXp6TdTYTvlhEVwHAIJtQtVtBmXp5YL_dUKc1ycC8G14udxgmg5GG0pXkA7LuRmPZPikZPWxaqOlGuVyWdmSYwoSrgzOFpagF-cmdWOSEasVM38Lpaz9f6ZeIOKbM4/s1600/The+Rolling+Stones+Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiCqItxie9kzYHOXp6TdTYTvlhEVwHAIJtQtVtBmXp5YL_dUKc1ycC8G14udxgmg5GG0pXkA7LuRmPZPikZPWxaqOlGuVyWdmSYwoSrgzOFpagF-cmdWOSEasVM38Lpaz9f6ZeIOKbM4/s1600/The+Rolling+Stones+Book.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yari from Taschen displaying their Sumo Rolling Stones Book with The Fella's Signatures</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I'm thrilled a piece of history, culture, England, New York -- home -- is in LA. The exhibit is curated by Reuel Golden and the photographers are iconic. You'll see the works of masters such as David Bailey, Anton Corbijn, Gered Mankowitz, Terry Richardson, Dominique Tarle, and Albert Watson here. AND it's all for sale. </div>
<div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27yortVU-COCFnfQN55yhAvI-wudyDKp41-u9fpkctlnhuy-bzTc_MbYTsmo_pBRA00wc4qoFlAW4JRFR-PMlH1Se_FMr7ToGUSxhTqdQjnf-rNBj3HA7f4AQfXY1PW7FBIMcppavyF8/s1600/The+Taschen+Gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27yortVU-COCFnfQN55yhAvI-wudyDKp41-u9fpkctlnhuy-bzTc_MbYTsmo_pBRA00wc4qoFlAW4JRFR-PMlH1Se_FMr7ToGUSxhTqdQjnf-rNBj3HA7f4AQfXY1PW7FBIMcppavyF8/s1600/The+Taschen+Gallery.jpg" height="254" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Taschen Gallery</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Knowing they've extended it, I'm sure to go back. And listen, they have The Stones playing continuously while you're there. What's not to like?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Speaking of, driving home, I put on the radio and "Miss You" came on. A sunny day, in LA. Seeing one of my best friends, getting an eyefull of Mick, Keith, Brian, Charlie, Ronnie, Bill. Then driving home on the freeway to "Miss You"? </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RB6jjXrJzwomYYQnNk6hrD2XyH-afW33V1NQUeNPslq2UXgZlNuxSeG896xQMFYRIP2zhDQkZ1HDd3ccZ_Mbbq4cSGhquwkyJuOqqkSOgvNlCZe1Dq39P1Ds_4kV_Bu3wQG9DApOYqc/s1600/Mick+Jones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RB6jjXrJzwomYYQnNk6hrD2XyH-afW33V1NQUeNPslq2UXgZlNuxSeG896xQMFYRIP2zhDQkZ1HDd3ccZ_Mbbq4cSGhquwkyJuOqqkSOgvNlCZe1Dq39P1Ds_4kV_Bu3wQG9DApOYqc/s1600/Mick+Jones.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Brian Jones by Bent Rej taken in 1965 in London at Brian's home.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
You gotta love LA.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.joansonthird.com/">Joan's on 3rd</a> is at 8530 West 3rd. There's another location at 12059 Ventura Boulevard in Studio city. Street Parking available. Always check your meter. It gets vicious around here.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="mailto:LA-gallery@taschen.com">The Taschen Gallery</a> is at 8070 Beverly Boulevard. LA, CA 90048. 323.852.9098. Hours of Operation is Tuesday thru Saturday 11-6PM and Sunday 12 to 5PM. And by Appointment. PS: Don't be afraid. It's free!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hic-dnps6MU" style="text-align: start;" width="480"></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
ENJOY!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-59354340276177811312015-01-23T14:30:00.000-08:002015-01-24T07:09:34.889-08:00Maud Simmons is The Artist on The Stairwell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR5IK6GTOATYrovL4RXoq8DwZpzKYWz3wO4_azJ4xd1W-Cx0R1X6vzGOs8W6DfVptQJ4rfinsYR31HOuEZYvMhF9VnmA6qZCJUYoeAbJ9e8GBwzvD54R_SzWejKTgrCSmBVOl8PhHahs/s1600/Maud+Simmons+Artist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: start;"><img alt="Maude Simmons" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR5IK6GTOATYrovL4RXoq8DwZpzKYWz3wO4_azJ4xd1W-Cx0R1X6vzGOs8W6DfVptQJ4rfinsYR31HOuEZYvMhF9VnmA6qZCJUYoeAbJ9e8GBwzvD54R_SzWejKTgrCSmBVOl8PhHahs/s1600/Maud+Simmons+Artist.jpg" height="640" title="Maud Simmons" width="640" /></a></div>
This Monday night there'll be an art party for my good friend, the very talented <a href="http://maudsimmons.com/">Maud Simmons</a>, at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena. Maud's been chosen by the store to be their next Artist on the Stairwell. Every 6 weeks or so Vroman's highlights a different local artist, which I think is extremely cool as is Maud. She does big and small and everything in between. One of my favorite quotes from her is <i>Give me a surface and I will paint on it, draw on it, paste on it. </i>The series on display will be her gouache shoe series. Gouache is a type of watercolor, done in layers, and Maud's chosen a subject, something we see every day, and made it the focal point.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX2E_tWx33LcAdVZHekponK4ENbPSauU85q97SbFDGA96yXmeHm-g7hPY-IEYXpnCmT2ySY9ffLI57KLd8YTgqFE1JqE0ubqxLVJILFWOCX_3JVgiKy1yXOQ19VanoM1zNsIZOQQFK_M/s1600/brown+furry+clog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="shoes art" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX2E_tWx33LcAdVZHekponK4ENbPSauU85q97SbFDGA96yXmeHm-g7hPY-IEYXpnCmT2ySY9ffLI57KLd8YTgqFE1JqE0ubqxLVJILFWOCX_3JVgiKy1yXOQ19VanoM1zNsIZOQQFK_M/s1600/brown+furry+clog.jpg" height="478" title="shoe art" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Brown Furry Clog</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Maud's work has appeared at different galleries throughout LA as well as on TV shows, films and she does private commissions as well, re-masters, and of course plenty of original pieces and series.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCUf9KBuLo4XhBeDJccXORq9jXiof5jRWs6nwzSeI4FamVpxsOGDeMPWmMFp88S24tsm-2_CdrMn1kuHSqCwJBiQIX7RFIzgIkp-Pkme5w0Kfs0LWiCimp4_ntB9-9Wgj90ZGtcfqGl4/s1600/Los+Angeles+Landscape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="LA Landspace." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCUf9KBuLo4XhBeDJccXORq9jXiof5jRWs6nwzSeI4FamVpxsOGDeMPWmMFp88S24tsm-2_CdrMn1kuHSqCwJBiQIX7RFIzgIkp-Pkme5w0Kfs0LWiCimp4_ntB9-9Wgj90ZGtcfqGl4/s1600/Los+Angeles+Landscape.jpg" height="196" title="LA Landscapes" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><i>My Painting by Maud</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Frankly, I don't think Maud sleeps and that might be a problem.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZ6YKExRZTzhGj8TTvQ9nmrIbiFb_kp7v1MWNeLEbUUtlLsv1fMErCuNPKBx_I6b5-nubKTXCYybCd6aXHzY2VRTB1yVzzBCWtUNRh6y6wJMIGnzPDjrXTalBy-0LOlTJSfoB5Uka0xQ/s1600/black+patent+leather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="fahison" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZ6YKExRZTzhGj8TTvQ9nmrIbiFb_kp7v1MWNeLEbUUtlLsv1fMErCuNPKBx_I6b5-nubKTXCYybCd6aXHzY2VRTB1yVzzBCWtUNRh6y6wJMIGnzPDjrXTalBy-0LOlTJSfoB5Uka0xQ/s1600/black+patent+leather.jpg" height="478" title="fashion" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; font-style: italic;">Black Patent Leather, by Maud Simmons</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Vroman's is a very special store. It's the oldest and largest independent bookstore in Southern California. And when I say largest, I mean it is large and in charge. It's not just books or art. There are t-shirts, kid's toys (not to mention a world-famous kid's books dept.), yoga gear, games, gorgeous jewelry, mugs, wonderful perfumes - like Tokyo Milk, worth it tchotchkes, and they have a kick-ass Pens & Stationary Department, which is where the artist receptions are held.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo07nS9-cL5_dN9HbCg6fKmLKtsMn9Qn9v0CHLSc4X8lKV0bWPPLZfDYQXKYT-MEHDHmhaD1JaXoeG6bNPJrktFFsqjqvB3HvHskwJMq3Hy3t4jFTWYAVJbBXU5C_GPJcl7Xhkq201SDY/s1600/40+year+old+virgin+Vroman's%2BBookstore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="40 year old virgins" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo07nS9-cL5_dN9HbCg6fKmLKtsMn9Qn9v0CHLSc4X8lKV0bWPPLZfDYQXKYT-MEHDHmhaD1JaXoeG6bNPJrktFFsqjqvB3HvHskwJMq3Hy3t4jFTWYAVJbBXU5C_GPJcl7Xhkq201SDY/s1600/40+year+old+virgin+Vroman's%2BBookstore.jpg" height="444" title="40 Year Old Virgin" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A scene from 40 Year Old Virgin shot at Vroman's Bookstore</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They'll have wine and cheese and stuff like that plus live music. AND Maudy's gonna be there. You kind of can't get better than that.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVXb8ow5PkUJnYDY9rdxljwku6VrFHyBSmX2Dckd31z2Womoy6tDf4lRWLwo17D9cNUQ86OAEz9HKTQfKK7G44-L0vHdhuxDwEtcflFPBY2Zt599wp66aRtUehPA4wrfF_NqplVBfOFU/s1600/Italian+sandal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="salndla" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVXb8ow5PkUJnYDY9rdxljwku6VrFHyBSmX2Dckd31z2Womoy6tDf4lRWLwo17D9cNUQ86OAEz9HKTQfKK7G44-L0vHdhuxDwEtcflFPBY2Zt599wp66aRtUehPA4wrfF_NqplVBfOFU/s1600/Italian+sandal.jpg" height="478" title="sandals" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Italian Sandal</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Afterward, you might want to check out an independent film over at The Laemmle's, which is right next store, and one of my favorite pizza places is just a block and a half away: Settebello's. They serve Naples-style pizza. It's absolutely delicious and a really nice atmosphere.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.vromansbookstore.com/event">Vroman's</a> is at 695 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91101. 626.449.5320. Though they have a parking lot, if it's full, you can look for parking on either Union or Oak Knoll -- always check the signs, they <i>do</i> give out tickets in these parts. If worse comes to worse you can try parking in the Target parking lot. You're not really supposed to but you know, wink wink. As for the art, the party's Monday evening and her art will be on display and for sale through February.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.laemmle.com/theaters/6">Laemmle's</a> of Pasadena is at 673 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91101. 310.478.3836.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.settebello.net/Locations-Pasadena.php">Settebello's</a> is at 625 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91101. 626.765.9550. The Diavola is divine. Just sayin.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-47902391890779357042015-01-19T14:46:00.002-08:002015-01-19T14:51:43.850-08:00Martin Luther King speaks on KPFK - It will move you to listen just a little while. Anyone who's interested today, <a href="http://www.kpfk.org/">KPFK</a> (90.7FM) is playing Martin Luther Speeches all day.<br />
Here's the schedule:<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.3999996185303px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 720px;"><tbody style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://pacificaradioarchives.org/recording/pz0947" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="MLK" src="http://www.kpfk.org/media/com_fpss/cache/260_665e3353c5a0a1298b58f0408e39e998_m.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; height: 300px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 600px;" /></a></strong></strong></td></tr>
<tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" valign="top">Detailed schedule of KPFK’s programming on Monday the 19th</td></tr>
<tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td rowspan="2" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" valign="top">6am Democracy Now featuring excerpts of newly discovered 1964 speech by Dr. King<br />
7am Connect the Dots (with a commentary on Dr. King’s legacy)<br />
8am Democracy Now special featuring the King’s 1967 speech at Riverside Church in New York City at which he came<br />
out against the Vietnam War<br />
9am Democracy Now featuring excerpts of newly discovered 1964 speech by Dr. King<br />
10am Letters and Politics on the life and legacy of Dr. King<br />
11am Speeches by Dr. King – Hour One:<br />
On the Power of Peaceful Persuasion – June 24, 1957<br />
The Future of Integration – June 1961 (at Ford Hall in NYC)<br />
Noon Speeches by Dr. King – Hour Two<br />
We Want to be Free Speech – May 26, 1963 (in Los Angeles at Wrigley Field)<br />
Discussions of a Complete Life – January 1962<br />
1pm Speeches by Dr. King – Hour Three<br />
America Chief Moral Dilemma – May 17, 1967 (in Berkeley at Sproul Hall)<br />
2pm Speeches by Dr. King – Hour Four<br />
But If Not – November 1967 (in Atlanta)<br />
Men and Women in the Arts Concerned with Vietnam – March 16, 1968 (in LA)<br />
3pm Speeches by Dr. King – Hour Five<br />
Dimensions of a Complete Life – January 1962 (at Yale)<br />
Domestic Urgencies vs. Military Costs – February 25, 1967 (in LA)<br />
The Civil Rights Movement and its Goals for the Future - April 14, 1967 (at Stanford)<br />
Memorium in Central Park the Day After MLK was Assassinated<br />
4pm From the Vault Documentary on the “I Have A Dream” Speech<br />
5pm From the Vault Documentary that includes the entire 1964 speech from London, England that was recently<br />
discovered by the Pacifica Radio Archives</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Currently they're playing a speech he did in the Hollywood Hills at a private home. He was introduced by James Baldwin. Incredible. Made my heart beat faster. It's amazing how far we've come and how sad it is we still have racism, anger, violence towards innocents... Incredible how prescient, moving and important it is to hear The Great Doctor.<br />
<br />
And this speech in particular was taped by KPFK and preserved back in 1968. <br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<i>"If the Haves are willing to join hands with the hands with the Have Nots, it wouldn't take much." - Martin Luther King</i><br />
<br />
#MLKDay #KPFKAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-63468945013258238952015-01-14T07:59:00.000-08:002015-01-14T10:32:07.804-08:00Fielding & FriendsMy good friend is performing in and hosting a stand-up show in West Hollywood tonight which I highly recommend!<br />
UPDATE: This showtime is at 10PM. They changed the time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsyajN4IZx0o6PUkejCxDL9bPYzBbZD2pQyOON-Pn7StUd1BbLVpDS1bbB3XS1zBAzQBt4rfHcK_fgcnPL1X_5Fb9GkQr7PlDt1cRHI3l7SfNAJXqKb2D4TLW3Fhmi2AR0F7AEvVv1dA/s1600/Stand+Up+Mbar+Flier+Jan+2014+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsyajN4IZx0o6PUkejCxDL9bPYzBbZD2pQyOON-Pn7StUd1BbLVpDS1bbB3XS1zBAzQBt4rfHcK_fgcnPL1X_5Fb9GkQr7PlDt1cRHI3l7SfNAJXqKb2D4TLW3Fhmi2AR0F7AEvVv1dA/s1600/Stand+Up+Mbar+Flier+Jan+2014+(1).jpg" height="640" width="406" /></a></div>
Just a little info about the performers: <a href="http://www.michaelkosta.com/">Michael Kosta</a> is star of Fox Sports "Crowd Goes Wild." He can also be seen regularly performing on late night TV, including The Tonight Show and Chelsea Lately. <a href="http://www.kiracomedy.com/">Kira Soltanovich</a> is a stand-up with her own Showtime special, who's writing credits include writing for the late great Joan Rivers. Andrew Donnelly is a comedic actor whose credits include Archer and Happy Endings. <a href="https://www.rooftopcomedy.com/comics/ShelaghRatner">Shelagh Ratner</a> is a Moth performer who's also the Winner of the Funniest Female Flappers. The sexy <a href="http://www.scoutdurwood.com/">Scout Durwood</a> is a Moth Story Slam Champion who you've most recently seen on Mindy. And finally the cute and very hilarious <a href="http://www.fieldingedlow.com/resume.html">Fielding Edlow</a>. Fielding is a comedic actress, writer, playwright and stand-up, who's film DVR was chosen as an Official Selection at The Palm Springs and LA Shorts Film Festival and who put this whole thing together and does so every month.<br />
<br />
IT'S FREE!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://barlubitsch.com/">Bar Lubitsch</a>, is on Santa Monica Boulevard between Spaulding & Stanley. 323.654.1234. Street parking available, though always check the signs. Show starts at 10pm.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-40434792803727149182015-01-08T12:32:00.002-08:002015-01-08T18:13:54.627-08:00Is Breakfast Having a Resurgence in LA?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsd8vGdsOw1_ic8S6Wv8e0T00jzOgG54r8hIAGEbQub-vNiAbxiggO_tA-1holcVi6L87e3oF-bBBBUGs9FpGGI-FXAYZStD2XgpvgPqZJ_kdJmbmAi2tmwPwoApFiO9UnKIGksG6t2E/s1600/Cindy's%2BSign%2Bwith%2BBackground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cindy's Diner" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsd8vGdsOw1_ic8S6Wv8e0T00jzOgG54r8hIAGEbQub-vNiAbxiggO_tA-1holcVi6L87e3oF-bBBBUGs9FpGGI-FXAYZStD2XgpvgPqZJ_kdJmbmAi2tmwPwoApFiO9UnKIGksG6t2E/s1600/Cindy's%2BSign%2Bwith%2BBackground.jpg" height="640" title="Cindy's Coffee Shop" width="480" /></a></div>
I almost feel like breakfast is a young person's game. From college on you go out to breakfast, often to recover and soak up the memories from the night before. But once real adulthood sets in (for us Americans this is after 40) breakfast is a completely home-type thing. The days of the diner and the restaurant before 11AM are rare occasions for me. My breakfast, almost every morning, consists of one or two rice cakes with avocado on them, two Morningstar Breakfast patties, and if I'm really hungry, scrambled eggs with dill & pepper. Like clockwork. Wanna come over? And if I run out of eggs I have oatmeal. That's the long and short. The skinny. The home-cooked, home-ate, let's-get-on-with-the-day breakfast. Oh, and coffee but that's a no-brainer.<br />
<br />
But I stabbed myself in the hand this morning.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtRDL4gikSMZTaUJ8mZcXQnVPcMq3LXaHfIl1dtCg2bt1dk7DxStNwCIyAcqgo6CSea2Zm3yELEnNyabwURXJR6v3sZnsqTPMSoaR8yIdv38mvv4mEE4HtmIO26MkW61yTV8ZofVfeIo/s1600/Bandaids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtRDL4gikSMZTaUJ8mZcXQnVPcMq3LXaHfIl1dtCg2bt1dk7DxStNwCIyAcqgo6CSea2Zm3yELEnNyabwURXJR6v3sZnsqTPMSoaR8yIdv38mvv4mEE4HtmIO26MkW61yTV8ZofVfeIo/s1600/Bandaids.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Crazy home-made bandage contraption made by my husband</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While trying to cut the pit out of an avocado I deeply punctured right into the middle of my palm. I mean this is the kind of wound that tougher sorts wouldn't have cried over and certainly wouldn't have suggested going to the ER for. My husband assured me it was not hospital-worthy. But he was nice enough to not make fun of the fact that tears were streaming down my face and even went so far as to cut special bandaids to deal with the awkward location of this deep, very painful injury. (I really should be in a hospital right now).<br />
<br />
But so... breakfast. Breakfast still needed to be eaten. Most important meal of the day, some believe. AND I just finished a script and wanted to take it easy, celebrate. Or celebrate-adjacent. So I texted my friend Max.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dVYiB2GYpMxDnjNAC_Dk9662z5ehlaxzctvDRC5OzCAZCubOoUGqmusQWT33Slk-UloDCN1afwvNEG5oRXvSvatHk67wbV9mMVGZItJZ1mLqysQwA8scUKVa_XJZ-3CjKmpnMN7ASLA/s1600/Texts+on+iPhone.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dVYiB2GYpMxDnjNAC_Dk9662z5ehlaxzctvDRC5OzCAZCubOoUGqmusQWT33Slk-UloDCN1afwvNEG5oRXvSvatHk67wbV9mMVGZItJZ1mLqysQwA8scUKVa_XJZ-3CjKmpnMN7ASLA/s1600/Texts+on+iPhone.png" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Can't keep on doing it" refers to the making of my breakfast. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So Max met my husband and I over at Cindy's which I've been hearing about and driving by FOREVER. I totally thought nothing would ever go into this spot that remained empty for what seemed far too long. And then this diner rumored to have fantastic food just appeared from heaven.<br />
<br />
Described by the new owners (who own Firefly in South Pas) as old school aesthetics mixed with new school flavors, Cindy's offers morning faire such as a Creamed Kale Omelet ($10), a Fried Egg Sandwich with Tabasco Mayo ($8.50), and a Potato Beet Pancake plate with stewed apple and dill cream ($9.50).<br />
<br />
At first blush, I can certainly say, they got that old-school aesthetic down. The interior is out of Retro Diner Central. Orange seats. Imperfect and comf booths. Cool lighting:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_2-kgwwhyphenhyphenHKbvDs6fLhuLPIkxn5njERns23_XixKRu0bO3mAscQhpZvD6mFZPlP21u0V_-ZSYJW2IT2268XYFsqtiekpW8W0W63k6fsr0zJ_PCaaTCm49-HVWaKGVKqWrwcZlaz1Mj4/s1600/The+Interior+of+Cindy's%2BRestaurant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Retro Interios" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_2-kgwwhyphenhyphenHKbvDs6fLhuLPIkxn5njERns23_XixKRu0bO3mAscQhpZvD6mFZPlP21u0V_-ZSYJW2IT2268XYFsqtiekpW8W0W63k6fsr0zJ_PCaaTCm49-HVWaKGVKqWrwcZlaz1Mj4/s1600/The+Interior+of+Cindy's%2BRestaurant.jpg" height="640" title="Retro Interiors" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But listen, I'm a New Yorker. I'm skeptical and I'm hard on breakfast places. I've been going to diners since I was a kid (The Hastings Diner which had a kick-ass Cherry Coke) and then for big hangover breakfasts in Boston during college and NYC during "The Lost Decade." In my expert opinion, I know this is what a diner's supposed to look like. But one question remained-- would the food be good? Worth it? Reliable? I mean I don't know how fancy I want this stuff to get. Usually fancy means heavy, gloppy, weird, and a stomach ache later. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PFilrtcv41ERsqOEzvUNw0s3dpPAkwUmWXlAv3zgAdLjiRbxfSH3GRz7jGkFjz5ET4PWYiT30HKbocHb0A39vMUZjAkj9Y_pKorYko5S9RnUNx74di66TAefXQsvA8rEfuHJy4C5D3s/s1600/Roasted+Mushroom+Omelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Roasted Mushroom Omelette" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PFilrtcv41ERsqOEzvUNw0s3dpPAkwUmWXlAv3zgAdLjiRbxfSH3GRz7jGkFjz5ET4PWYiT30HKbocHb0A39vMUZjAkj9Y_pKorYko5S9RnUNx74di66TAefXQsvA8rEfuHJy4C5D3s/s1600/Roasted+Mushroom+Omelet.jpg" height="640" title="Roasted Mushroom Omelet" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cindy's Roasted Mushroom Omelet</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's rare I'll only go somewhere once and blog about it but I'm telling you, Cindy's ranks. Completely, utterly, one billion percent worth it. This New Yorker says GO. It's <i>that yummy</i> and you won't regret it.<br />
<br />
I got the Roasted Mushroom Omelet (pictured above for $11) which had these carmelized onions inside, reminding me of wine-y, stew-y French onion soup onions, a nice smattering of bleu cheese that must have been somehow magically melted into the eggs themselves, and a non-overpowering parsley pesto dabbed on top. I never eat pesto in anything really except for pasta and every now and again, I'll partake if it's a part of some appetizer. But this was perfect: subtly prepared and not more than a tablespoon.<br />
<br />
Restraint. I like it. Dang, Cindy's!<br />
<br />
My husband got the Noah's Ark for 9 bucks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_zvSJLKtpxDkJJagqCkwDBwsV2MhJpZpjO7Pb2XTV30_6k7M3IRKK-jJfC27mNyiZ2JU9tVFP4uZ6ZtITMYswNEAfRog9taTR-9og9uwXZdVjb1l71aBASyqqFXqrHxtX245Iuf3-Js/s1600/Noah's%2BBreakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The blue Palet Speical" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_zvSJLKtpxDkJJagqCkwDBwsV2MhJpZpjO7Pb2XTV30_6k7M3IRKK-jJfC27mNyiZ2JU9tVFP4uZ6ZtITMYswNEAfRog9taTR-9og9uwXZdVjb1l71aBASyqqFXqrHxtX245Iuf3-Js/s1600/Noah's%2BBreakfast.jpg" height="640" title="The Blue Plate Special" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
2 eggs, 2 pancakes, 2 strips of bacon. In other words, "The Uuuuushe." Terry said the bacon was good. "Nicely cooked," her muttered, in his best Tom Colicchio. High praise from TD. Max said she really liked her Mediterranean Scramble ($8.50) with spinach and feta and oregano. While she wasn't raving, she looked happy and sated.<br />
<br />
I don't know. Maybe breakfast is simply making a personal comeback with <u>me</u>. Between Blu-Jam, Eggslut, Elsa's & now Cindy's, I think I might be getting down with the early morning dining experience. It's cheaper than eating out pretty much any other time of the day and breakfast just isn't that easy to master so when someone does it right, you want to go back. You want to try everything.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTaxU7nGhXh8lrflfGoTjlNYe5WaCJMLSiFC1K1oRqz9GP7yTcT_x3fCn-JWUDLXIzHNLo6MXUmjQl8tyrQtc-1NqgF-Jlahopnt26zq-nGAppXRYsX-D-Bi77grZv5mNtdKM-MGui2U/s1600/Cindy's%2BSign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTaxU7nGhXh8lrflfGoTjlNYe5WaCJMLSiFC1K1oRqz9GP7yTcT_x3fCn-JWUDLXIzHNLo6MXUmjQl8tyrQtc-1NqgF-Jlahopnt26zq-nGAppXRYsX-D-Bi77grZv5mNtdKM-MGui2U/s1600/Cindy's%2BSign.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
In other words, call me. I'm in.<br />
<br />
Cindy's is at 1500 Colorado Boulevard just a block up from Trader Joe's and across from Little Beast. Look for the vintage 60 year old Landmark sign if you're confused at all! 323.257.7353. They're open Tuesday thru Sunday. Breakfast is from 7 to 11, Lunch from 11 to 3, and Dinner from 5 to Close (whatever that means). They're open for Brunch, Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 3pm. And they do catering. You can park in their parking lot and there's plenty of street parking.<br />
<br />
Enjoy! I'll be at Cedar's!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-82311811681966483202014-12-30T18:01:00.005-08:002015-01-06T15:31:09.461-08:00Eggslut: Don't Come When You're Hungry.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdCdqUarG25Q1nTnoDSidkde6a-iGCqXVcgPSUQCQSAJxjVBAf1h-CFmmcEpuDXojCico80p4WfPUUxgjp9zT9VSSx6kFzQpng5YKNybbrL2oSpjQz6vLaoMJeq5HZsFGjxOspheNnAA/s1600/The+Long+Line+of+Eggslut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdCdqUarG25Q1nTnoDSidkde6a-iGCqXVcgPSUQCQSAJxjVBAf1h-CFmmcEpuDXojCico80p4WfPUUxgjp9zT9VSSx6kFzQpng5YKNybbrL2oSpjQz6vLaoMJeq5HZsFGjxOspheNnAA/s1600/The+Long+Line+of+Eggslut.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><i>For The Eggslut Line might I suggest you bring a book?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>When I first moved to LA no one went downtown. If they did, they were nervous. Or there was a story. Or they were going to volunteer. And they hated the streets - hated driving. No one seemed to live there, eat there, shop there--go there. </i></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiok8rPfmQWy7k8T6Wel7QsLHObSPJhk7BIVTIrr4Fgdjjk_aBnsjT33MkcWELCCY_4p_9tIrEhzuck7cGSGU-d-UkIKEngJYks5FajdDky-mTRBA-1KUYuPvr02r14SunzZLygLy8d8bk/s1600/Bike+Locks+Los+Angeles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Bilkes Los Angeles" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiok8rPfmQWy7k8T6Wel7QsLHObSPJhk7BIVTIrr4Fgdjjk_aBnsjT33MkcWELCCY_4p_9tIrEhzuck7cGSGU-d-UkIKEngJYks5FajdDky-mTRBA-1KUYuPvr02r14SunzZLygLy8d8bk/s1600/Bike+Locks+Los+Angeles.jpg" height="640" title="Bikes Los Angeles" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Park your bike outside of the GCM</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><i></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>And yet there were always people who'd say, "It's really fun downtown" or "You ever think of living there? There're some really nice lofts." Well, that kind of talk can go on for years and years and years and the few times you give it a chance you're like, "Okay, that was gross" or "Okay, I get it. For these two blocks it was nice but then I'm done" or "The Disney Concert Hall is nice" or "It's funky. What an amazing art scene." But on the regular? Not so much.</i></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Garnd Central Market" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXn2bUcj77GAFCcaqfmuxNELNFpewNLOP6uRnkalXsxpUAo0v3gCkrHrcb6svE9R2CK6JepG_gOj55Z66lPNdE9yisQxkRI57Epvm2X1Yp6A3eyhRlXnwLzNPGPM_2UHlg9g89xH6-Nk/s1600/Grand+Central+Market+Exterior.jpg" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Grand Central Market " width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Exterior of Grand Central Market</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXn2bUcj77GAFCcaqfmuxNELNFpewNLOP6uRnkalXsxpUAo0v3gCkrHrcb6svE9R2CK6JepG_gOj55Z66lPNdE9yisQxkRI57Epvm2X1Yp6A3eyhRlXnwLzNPGPM_2UHlg9g89xH6-Nk/s1600/Grand+Central+Market+Exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i></i></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Then suddenly downtown and the promise of downtown merged into one. For me this occurred </i></span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">about two years ago, though in reality it might have begun in 2003 with The Staples Center and began really peaking starting around 2011. More shops and businesses popped up. Food wasn't in just a two block radius and some of the finest restaurants could be found there (Bestia, Faith & Flower). Combined w</i><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">ith the improvement of the city's Metro system, Downtown</i><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> was easier to get to, easier to leave. And yes, it</i><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> finally felt like it arrived. </i><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>At that time I was volunteering at an awesome non-profit located by Skid Row (<a href="http://www.schoolonwheels.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer?gclid=COTbpI3t7sICFYhbfgodbyIA1w">School On Wheels</a>). Because of this I became more comfortable. I drove in and dove in. It's not like I hadn't already found some great stuff: the Library, <a href="http://www.wurstkuche.com/">Wurtschuche</a>, <a href="http://lazyoxcanteen.com/">The Lazy Ox Canteen</a>, <a href="http://mo-chica./">Mo-Chica</a>, Disney Concert Hall, MOCA... But one night, around when I began this blog, I finally did something truly freeing. I hit <a href="http://www.downtownartwalk.org/">The Downtown LA Art Walk</a> (the next one is January 8th) and had one of the best nights of my life. I felt alive. It was exhilarating. It wasn't that all the danger was removed but the city was populated. And it wasn't just for two blocks. It was for stretches and stretches and stretches. </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oNKMNoGrO-REqJ1BmonpgnNAxqevkLLtS8Kvm6XvrT_jinlQ9umgiEIiSlB-L0DNtrMcWWXS-3OyRI7hgjZIHMpMswzw0r3XCTq6bY4nt_ahJFI5mWfoROqeuhA8W7-w-ItKXGm5j1M/s1600/DTLA+REVIEW+THE+HIVE+EXT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DTLK" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oNKMNoGrO-REqJ1BmonpgnNAxqevkLLtS8Kvm6XvrT_jinlQ9umgiEIiSlB-L0DNtrMcWWXS-3OyRI7hgjZIHMpMswzw0r3XCTq6bY4nt_ahJFI5mWfoROqeuhA8W7-w-ItKXGm5j1M/s1600/DTLA+REVIEW+THE+HIVE+EXT.jpg" height="426" title="DTLA" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Since then, I'm a convert. Downtown isn't just one art night, one restaurant or one cool building. And it has the ever so original <a href="http://www.grandcentralmarket.com/history">Grand Central Market</a>, a 98 year old food court, housed in the Homer Laughlin Building on Broadway and 4th. The GCM is the city's largest public market, completely emblematic of who us Angelenos were, are and in ways, will </i></span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">always</i><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> be.</i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOMqfuu5Wb6LsxTLvJ65RlnWmLJL1dwmAP0qUVUXiETv9Oi9r75De6sWcd8KcjxJlYOlmxUf1i4_lxKAR45-VyfaKayLv5D62Orj-GRk2iYDTFlZMyjmIZU-NY6ACGBYX_seWmvnfrnI/s1600/GCM+Overview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="GARND CENTRAL MARKET" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOMqfuu5Wb6LsxTLvJ65RlnWmLJL1dwmAP0qUVUXiETv9Oi9r75De6sWcd8KcjxJlYOlmxUf1i4_lxKAR45-VyfaKayLv5D62Orj-GRk2iYDTFlZMyjmIZU-NY6ACGBYX_seWmvnfrnI/s1600/GCM+Overview.jpg" height="480" title="GRAND CENTRAL MARKET" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Grand Central Market</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">But I had already been there. And though I'd been hearing about the renovations, how new restaurants had stalls there, there was a lot to choose from. What was worth it? Where to go? What to do? It was kind of overwhelming. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-je-iYaCPEztMwEpEYrDwlI4tud0M1duQgtpCBcdA1mTQYYF0a3k3zNbEsy2oUxO8eeDUD0E85dW1EP5H9Kbb08sVyoLtK00N_-h0wuo3TKAPULh3jibtUSCakaZNvvewSpL_QgiXpg/s1600/Grand+Central+Market+Traffic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="LAS GRAND CENTRAL MARKET" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-je-iYaCPEztMwEpEYrDwlI4tud0M1duQgtpCBcdA1mTQYYF0a3k3zNbEsy2oUxO8eeDUD0E85dW1EP5H9Kbb08sVyoLtK00N_-h0wuo3TKAPULh3jibtUSCakaZNvvewSpL_QgiXpg/s1600/Grand+Central+Market+Traffic.jpg" height="640" title="LA'S GRAND CENTRAL MARKET" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Then one night, when at one of Mark Peel's pop up restaurants (he's opening a place in the GCM soon enough) he told us about a fantastically named eatery: Eggslut. "Eggslut. Don't you love that? What a great name." I was like, "Egg...what? Slut?" And I thought, That is brilliant. I gotta check that out.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80WHiVDu1mQ7Lx-STXel9xjhKEvLXJqhvApQxexXA8KMll-1_4XwLXFAOg7SZf2nNSmJ9TlXlsd5VrV1hS1ZE4kWTjfs1dXQyQaMKnmmbNqbaDcVABreiftVXos0FuiW9Mn-qYR8Az8k/s1600/eggslut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Egg Slut" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80WHiVDu1mQ7Lx-STXel9xjhKEvLXJqhvApQxexXA8KMll-1_4XwLXFAOg7SZf2nNSmJ9TlXlsd5VrV1hS1ZE4kWTjfs1dXQyQaMKnmmbNqbaDcVABreiftVXos0FuiW9Mn-qYR8Az8k/s1600/eggslut.jpg" height="480" title="Eggslut" width="640" /></a></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Eggslut started as a food truck in 2011 by Chef Alvin Cailan, a native Angeleno who felt a void for good breakfast in LA. But in early 2014 he brought his very successful Egg biznass to The Grand Central Market. The lines that had once queued for his truck, now were doing so in The GCM. Frankly I'm embarrassed I hadn't heard of it before. Seemed everyone and their mother had. </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>My first venture to ES was with my friend Lynda, a Kiwi, who, it turns out, had already been to Eggslut, worships Eggslut, LOVES Eggslut. At the mere mention she was like, "Yes, let's go there. Can't wait." I tumbled downtown, wearing paper on my feet, excited to take the plunge. The paper because I had just gotten a pedi. By the way, the Grand Central Market isn't exactly where you want to wear paper shoes but you know, us girls have to stay coiffed... </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrfzmrc3X3N4fkkYE33hv-63-cZieufqoKglDDvbua4vqvP47EMKsiYqFqa167Y3dF0WSvyWK-MqOg_dlYOzbPcwyyAyth0HNAr_MoX2rf0Obc_YhlH2JMqF2AcTLNfu7Oj9_Y-kj1y8/s1600/Toenails+by+Kure+Spa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrfzmrc3X3N4fkkYE33hv-63-cZieufqoKglDDvbua4vqvP47EMKsiYqFqa167Y3dF0WSvyWK-MqOg_dlYOzbPcwyyAyth0HNAr_MoX2rf0Obc_YhlH2JMqF2AcTLNfu7Oj9_Y-kj1y8/s1600/Toenails+by+Kure+Spa.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Anyway, Lynda and I were on line, talking about her new boyfriend and chatting it up with the woman in front of us while perusing the menu when I realized <u>we were talking to a stranger</u>. That's the thing about the line at Eggslut: you're going to be there for awhile and you might make friends if you're even remotely friendly. As Angelenos, we're not used to this. We don't know how to do this. We're always in our cars or not wanting to leave our houses or apartments. </i></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIH2EsPdZNP-yUfal86OkGI3oRK7IZGvzrTJ0ssjjKudYbIhFEUgx89RwLzm0KXJ9Z8GTtoKWs1J7uSdpl7roLtpI_tQz7yuNtWgxM1JkV5_Y6NqiAvdadqKWeWrNezQwePToYN8-ty-s/s1600/Cave-Dwellers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIH2EsPdZNP-yUfal86OkGI3oRK7IZGvzrTJ0ssjjKudYbIhFEUgx89RwLzm0KXJ9Z8GTtoKWs1J7uSdpl7roLtpI_tQz7yuNtWgxM1JkV5_Y6NqiAvdadqKWeWrNezQwePToYN8-ty-s/s1600/Cave-Dwellers.jpg" height="640" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/lora-duguay.html">Cave Dwelling Angelenos</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>But Lynda's from New Zealand and is a journalist and I'm from New York and can't shut up so it was inevitable. Still nothing and no one could interfere with the uber important discussion we were about to make regarding what to order. We knew we had to get three dishes because we had to try as much as possible. Lynda suggested the Slut and The Gaucho. For the life of me, I can't remember the third.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>The Slut, for nine bucks, is a coddled egg on a potato puree, served in a glass jar. I seriously almost threw up hearing the glass jar bit. Lynda encouraged me to soldier on. </i></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYUWicwJDcM-aui_Gp0VB1fyCyy4RE0-6y4z610pKLhrT5RGWCDvGglb9JT__EZNVEg8pX1ce61G0Ug_JExFj8sizb-91pyxCyrcSuHm7X5vmd_mawgxlr7taNiA2oZuT6C663uG4oks/s1600/Eggslut+Menu.jpg" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><i>The Eggslut Slut, 9 bucks.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>As for The Gaucho, Lynda said it was "Amazing" when she had it last. This is how the restaurant describes it:</i></span></div>
<div class="menu-item" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 3em; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div class="menu-item-description" style="line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 5px;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Seared wagyu tri-tip steak, chimichurri, pickled red onions, shaved manchego cheese and seasoned arugula topped with an over medium egg, in a warm brioche bun</i></span></div>
<div class="menu-item-price-bottom" style="font-size: 23px; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-transform: uppercase;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><span class="currency-sign">$</span>11.00</i></span></div>
<div class="menu-item-options">
<div class="menu-item-option" style="font-size: 0.8em;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>tri-tip: Snake River Farms, Boise ID</i></span></div>
<div class="menu-item-option" style="font-size: 0.8em;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>available after 11:30AM</i></span></div>
<div class="menu-item-option" style="font-size: 0.8em;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYUWicwJDcM-aui_Gp0VB1fyCyy4RE0-6y4z610pKLhrT5RGWCDvGglb9JT__EZNVEg8pX1ce61G0Ug_JExFj8sizb-91pyxCyrcSuHm7X5vmd_mawgxlr7taNiA2oZuT6C663uG4oks/s1600/Eggslut+Menu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i></i></span></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpLkf6OseFTT0auGzdw0g6rvkXCEXzmDgs2db9CaXCcCTdIfe6CHy_I_Juv6q_w6GzWyqK9Hf_n1WhpZ5gZhMljhhVvBIID9U8F8VTPum0salJKaH79MS1n6gRm_K_mbW1L5D5wM4A9U/s1600/Gaucho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpLkf6OseFTT0auGzdw0g6rvkXCEXzmDgs2db9CaXCcCTdIfe6CHy_I_Juv6q_w6GzWyqK9Hf_n1WhpZ5gZhMljhhVvBIID9U8F8VTPum0salJKaH79MS1n6gRm_K_mbW1L5D5wM4A9U/s1600/Gaucho.jpg" height="640" width="564" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Gaucho</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Let's start with The Slut. She is sublime. You break that little yolk, mix it with that buttery potato mush stuff and holy mother of God, if you're hungover, you will be in heaven. If you love eggs, you will be in heaven. If you have any taste buds at all, you will be in heaven.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>The second dish, The Gaucho, was extremely well designed flavor-wise. The steak is high quality, and I love the combo of spicy arugula with manchego cheese, but truthfully, it's really a bitch to eat. They don't cut up the steak much so you kind of have to be VERY comfortable with the one you're with if you're going to eat this sucker. But really, if you're not comfortable looking a little disgusting, I don't think I even want to know you. </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Like I said, I can't remember dish 3. Didn't take notes. Kind of was in a black out. Which was a shame. Except for the little annoying realization which is: I'd have to go back!</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>So yesterday, the dreariest day in LA -- it looked like Paris outside without the Paris - I returned. I had plans with my friend, Laurie, who's very encouraging about the blog and thought Eggslutting would be a fun activity for the two of us to do. I love my friends.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>This time the line was the line I'd heard about. Lynda and I had only to wait 20 minutes. Yesterday, I think Laurie and I were waiting for 45 before ordering and then it took another 20 for our order to be up.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>It was worth the wait.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Laurie was still a bit under the weather from the holidays so we didn't really split our food. I recommended she have the Egg Slut. I decided to go for The Fairfax. Once our food was up, </i></span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">we couldn't find anywhere to sit - the place was packed. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lzfmHj1oWWdRcbUPdWgUopGgqO4S6BJVVbfSB2hlHhup8OQO6-hyC3D1Ty27cc7MiLnjj3z4PJjz3MfrZSek38EAPhpFp43QG8tnLthA5-8ZUr2AtVIWbOPIAF9KvTAOxFSJyYZ7aMY/s1600/Eggslut+Counter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lzfmHj1oWWdRcbUPdWgUopGgqO4S6BJVVbfSB2hlHhup8OQO6-hyC3D1Ty27cc7MiLnjj3z4PJjz3MfrZSek38EAPhpFp43QG8tnLthA5-8ZUr2AtVIWbOPIAF9KvTAOxFSJyYZ7aMY/s1600/Eggslut+Counter.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Started wandering around the market. Nothing. Then a security man eschewed us to the bbq place attached to the other side, near G & B Coffee. I wasn't so sure it was PC but I didn't care. My eggs were getting cold.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>We sat down, looked at one another, had that eye contact of: Let's do this. But there was a pause. Listen, a lot rides on when you recommend something to someone and they actually order it. Due to that commitment and neurosis, I had one bite of Laurie's just to make sure it was up to par before she got her post holiday germs all over it. Just to make sure it was good. Swear! No! I'm lying! I just wanted to taste it again! And yes, I can confirm: that one bite was amazing. Yet I'm surprised I have any memory of it as I soon became so immersed in my mess of a Fairfax. In fact I forgot to ask her how she liked her coddled egg until she was almost through with it. </i></span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This is how she described it: "Comforting and satisfying." </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">As any good slut should be.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>As for The Fairfax, Sweet Jesus I found my breakfast. It was a sloppy mess of a soft scrambled egg sandwich. The buttery brioche mixed with the cheddar, oy gevalt! And that nice kick of sriracha. Honestly, I'm a decent cook. I really don't understand why I can't make this at home but I can't. I know I can't replicate it. Frankly it's gotta be the butter. I'd never use the amount of butter that I'm sure is used at this restaurant that makes it so freakin good. Which is fine. I'll just come back. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2tz5XAWXoFeSk0cBn9C4M1P0KIm0vdejevovPXZYglr4UgbTCZSu9PCzkQUUqnkr_-Lgf-HhgQ3fZZ77xQMGAFLQxgpvFHBKjpCVapt3tROp3KbhoOCAWG2haldV835O2V9JugpYdes/s1600/The+Fairfax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Fairsvs" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2tz5XAWXoFeSk0cBn9C4M1P0KIm0vdejevovPXZYglr4UgbTCZSu9PCzkQUUqnkr_-Lgf-HhgQ3fZZ77xQMGAFLQxgpvFHBKjpCVapt3tROp3KbhoOCAWG2haldV835O2V9JugpYdes/s1600/The+Fairfax.jpg" height="480" title="The Fairfax" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Run, don't walk</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i></span></div>
<div class="menu-item-title" style="background-color: white; font-family: Abel; font-size: 23px; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase;">
FAIRFAX</div>
<div class="menu-item-description" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 5px; text-align: center;">
soft scrambled eggs, chives, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions and sriracha mayo in a warm brioche bun</div>
<div class="menu-item-price-bottom" style="background-color: white; font-family: Abel; font-size: 23px; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase;">
<span class="currency-sign">$</span>7.00</div>
<div class="menu-item-price-bottom" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none;">Considering the volume of people who stand on line daily to egg it (they make close to 500 egg sandwiches per day) I'm shocked with the quality of this dish. I mean this might be the best breakfast in LA. End of story. So yes, damn it, it's worth the wait/weight. That gooey, messy, obscene mixture requires 7 napkins. And you'll need the 3 dollar OJ to wash it down with. And if you're a guy and you like the fantasy of the hot chick who eats the burger and gets it all over her face like in the Carl's Junior ad, bring your date here. You won't be disappointed. Or at least you'll be truly sated while you are being disappointed. </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmddCiHl69bDv6nIX929U53UQ5DjVKh_pwTIGWbZsrPlvw3MNtB9V50kq9Vdyi7nxXrBAXXyYxNPD9fZSMgLsITWhMrxPU3JkkvR7WfEXVtQX5ESi00aLqVE-TWAyBdYJdNVHZXGDy-A/s1600/Carl's%2BJunior%2BHot%2BChick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmddCiHl69bDv6nIX929U53UQ5DjVKh_pwTIGWbZsrPlvw3MNtB9V50kq9Vdyi7nxXrBAXXyYxNPD9fZSMgLsITWhMrxPU3JkkvR7WfEXVtQX5ESi00aLqVE-TWAyBdYJdNVHZXGDy-A/s1600/Carl's%2BJunior%2BHot%2BChick.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none;">Oh my God, I totally forgot something else I like about Eggslut.... </i></div>
<div class="menu-item-price-bottom" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="menu-item-price-bottom" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none;">They don't serve decaf! This is my kind of joint!</i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieLVPVoHeQ2MRrhcxDQM_co9cxKh3NXokWyf0Pz4wnj5mnOMPXh9X2BX4GttH4HRJSKWskBuaLcMpgmHWzC5_xiOnglbNE7QRWfUufodBPUtIsMdj5eEZOOqNz3136IjoZzNE-a6DkfI/s1600/Eggs+at+Eggslut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieLVPVoHeQ2MRrhcxDQM_co9cxKh3NXokWyf0Pz4wnj5mnOMPXh9X2BX4GttH4HRJSKWskBuaLcMpgmHWzC5_xiOnglbNE7QRWfUufodBPUtIsMdj5eEZOOqNz3136IjoZzNE-a6DkfI/s1600/Eggs+at+Eggslut.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Happiness is a Warm Egg, bang bang shoot shoot</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="menu-item-price-bottom" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none;">After we walked around a bit. Took some cool pics... </i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUk7er1CBED31RexKv1Bh2-FCB9Y9KaV0iW0PIGNbpVxoiOvYE0-ALgxSIAdVGoHqy8TdiVEeJ5YUvgpf4j47-r1jUvCPMgDf57irRhvcTAiR6Usyxtk4mrksZ55-oTmJOU8rOAcQzx4/s1600/The+Bradbury+Building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUk7er1CBED31RexKv1Bh2-FCB9Y9KaV0iW0PIGNbpVxoiOvYE0-ALgxSIAdVGoHqy8TdiVEeJ5YUvgpf4j47-r1jUvCPMgDf57irRhvcTAiR6Usyxtk4mrksZ55-oTmJOU8rOAcQzx4/s1600/The+Bradbury+Building.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; letter-spacing: normal; text-transform: none;">The Bradbury Building</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmxL25sAKMVXuP4ZaUxrv6-sRJBDRXO13rxBH-o-u6SJATxVtDGdScZiMv3VMUwaFquOKK3HPzy8qRaNxPWUBiYyP2eaqzmXKWTftD1c2GE4r3VcaZ45_0YGgw7uDk4Ozhf3OSmbjjWQ/s1600/Valerie+Petit+Fours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmxL25sAKMVXuP4ZaUxrv6-sRJBDRXO13rxBH-o-u6SJATxVtDGdScZiMv3VMUwaFquOKK3HPzy8qRaNxPWUBiYyP2eaqzmXKWTftD1c2GE4r3VcaZ45_0YGgw7uDk4Ozhf3OSmbjjWQ/s1600/Valerie+Petit+Fours.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; letter-spacing: normal; text-transform: none;">Valerie Petit Fours</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj200k5RsRRA3QMNEkZiV_C2npC3qxlRJUQ2RpC-7Zj0xEMUckicm9tiuWSnJ0jP7Luy1_Bb6xIJCTLUcxXTRkrLPRjQoyIa-d0G9PfoNbP_lIOwAK2Lko7iEeHJNMekBrHuu2voB2-X7M/s1600/The+Eggslut+Line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj200k5RsRRA3QMNEkZiV_C2npC3qxlRJUQ2RpC-7Zj0xEMUckicm9tiuWSnJ0jP7Luy1_Bb6xIJCTLUcxXTRkrLPRjQoyIa-d0G9PfoNbP_lIOwAK2Lko7iEeHJNMekBrHuu2voB2-X7M/s1600/The+Eggslut+Line.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; letter-spacing: normal; text-transform: none;">Angelenos on line at Eggslut</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTiBZ0Ga3PTsz-PEWxAhuZqnKRE3H1gylDi89COcUIkNr8TvyMfCO32BuW7RtRd1R0nYZKr-S17sbbaD6cnPqgwES8Y0mTbjiXwXn3qVp91MiXk6YNHP815Qz6VmyUMSNG3buH55g4MU/s1600/Hot+Girls+Grand+Central+Market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTiBZ0Ga3PTsz-PEWxAhuZqnKRE3H1gylDi89COcUIkNr8TvyMfCO32BuW7RtRd1R0nYZKr-S17sbbaD6cnPqgwES8Y0mTbjiXwXn3qVp91MiXk6YNHP815Qz6VmyUMSNG3buH55g4MU/s1600/Hot+Girls+Grand+Central+Market.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; letter-spacing: normal; text-transform: none;">Liquor Store Art</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none;">...but I gotta tell you the truth, and I think Laurie would agree, nothing beats that egg.</i><br />
<br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none;"><a href="http://www.eggslut.com/#about">Eggslut</a> is open 7 days a week, 8am to 4pm. It's located on the Broadway side of the market. You can find parking right in The Grand Central Building, entrance on 3rd & Hill. But know that the first two hours are no longer free (I was there from 11 to 1 and it cost 6 bucks). Also be prepared that the car slips are tight. If you have a Fiat, fine, if you have a big car, might take some maneuvering. You can always <a href="http://www.metro.net/">Take The Metro</a> into town. Or ride your bike. I don't have a bike, nor can I ever imagine getting one. But that's because I value my life.</i></div>
<div class="menu-item-price-bottom" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none;">As for the Eggslut line, yeah, it kind of blows. It's rare you'll only be on line for 15 minutes. Don't do Eggslut if you're starving or if you do, over-order. You won't regret it. But if you can't wait, and you're in the market, I recommend</i><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none;"> <a href="http://www.berlincurrywurst.com/where.php">Berlin Currywurst</a>. It's right next to Eggslut. Yummy German Sausage shack that first emerged in Silver Lake on Sunset. Best fries in the city (in my humble opine) and created by real Berliners. Yummeriffic.</i></div>
<div class="menu-item-price-bottom" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none;">Enjoy!</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewSgX_CXxN67aI9xrQhtswxG_NIKW3ubqtZQHpBQQhUfl_ynhwdT5qDRZazQut63fbau3q1Up4bl5bqtZYW8hy4B2SmnMHpZ9CKb7aApgK3mbwDX3CXaPDF6zhY3Ql6f_03_AQzjkEJs/s1600/Opine+LA+Eggslut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cynthia Greenberg" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewSgX_CXxN67aI9xrQhtswxG_NIKW3ubqtZQHpBQQhUfl_ynhwdT5qDRZazQut63fbau3q1Up4bl5bqtZYW8hy4B2SmnMHpZ9CKb7aApgK3mbwDX3CXaPDF6zhY3Ql6f_03_AQzjkEJs/s1600/Opine+LA+Eggslut.jpg" height="480" title="Cynthia Greenburg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none;"><br /></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-80541706137250776762014-12-20T18:49:00.000-08:002014-12-21T12:19:18.024-08:00Merry Christmas and Tamale Alert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFI5yYe_FF2jU9U2nDJVN8nFYvARj9jqsoz42HC-jqWxtdnrqzxEYA7RAaOVSOKbNV7M_3WVp7kGri8Xknjd8vzgIltjdEWXkKHJgPgDcxeGD4TrERKx4xtrZsabEU-vupvTzPFsAwM0I/s1600/Tamale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFI5yYe_FF2jU9U2nDJVN8nFYvARj9jqsoz42HC-jqWxtdnrqzxEYA7RAaOVSOKbNV7M_3WVp7kGri8Xknjd8vzgIltjdEWXkKHJgPgDcxeGD4TrERKx4xtrZsabEU-vupvTzPFsAwM0I/s1600/Tamale.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Some of THE BEST TAMALES I HAVE EVER EATEN are being sold for the holiday season at <a href="http://www.grassrootsnmk.com/event/last-day-order-homemade-tamales/">Grassroots</a> on Oxley & Fair Oaks in South Pas. The last day to order your Tamales for Christmas is Monday and maybe that's not your tradition but I urge you to start.<br />
<br />
Dense but not heavy tasting, authentic, seasoned perfectly, simple and fresh and filled with certified organic white corn, non-GMO masa, no lard, no hormones, no anti-biotics - the flavor, the quality, the homemade-ness of these are OUTSTANDING.<br />
<br />
And I think they're making thousands. I'm serious. Varieties include Green Chile & Cheese (that's what I had. That's two of what I had), Beef Machaca, Savory Organic Jack Fruit - which is loaded with zinc so it's like a healthy tamale, Chicken, Shredded Pork-- I know, you wouldn't think they'd have pork, but they're letting down their hippie locks for Christmas - in other words, they've got all the hits. Oh, and though I found them moist, steamy and delicious they do offer traditional red sauce and green chile verde sauce. Also homemade and also perfectly traditional and super enhancing to the tamale.<br />
<br />
You can order in bulk if you want some for a party but again, last day to order is Monday for pick up the 23rd and 24th. I'm planning on bringing some on the plane - the woman there told me they travel well. And you can order them now, freeze them and have them any time. There's an idea.<br />
<br />
I promise more pictures in the future but today I simply wolfed down lunch without blinking or thinking that I would want to post about it. I was famished and man, these hit the spot! And normally I wouldn't impulsively write but because time is of the essence, I wanted you to know what was up.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
Grassroots Natural Market and Bar is located at 1119 Fair Oaks Boulevard. T: 626.799.0156. On Instagram <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/118207809562677722338" target="_blank">+GrassrootsNMK</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-38071442018848785162014-11-14T19:40:00.001-08:002014-11-25T10:07:49.479-08:00Favorite Store Alert: Mush<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9-xl711I7LayGVMKsWgaYSyPriFg6Wp4A9hL4OhACW05CdE57HkajXFLn1BorTCZvirHsf8d1EJEE28ZV9ppIoYs9QmPBhC25hXrBP-94_eaDPKN9eOkWpMjKcTBTfcFpB4GDe76cNI/s1600/Tiger's%2BEye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9-xl711I7LayGVMKsWgaYSyPriFg6Wp4A9hL4OhACW05CdE57HkajXFLn1BorTCZvirHsf8d1EJEE28ZV9ppIoYs9QmPBhC25hXrBP-94_eaDPKN9eOkWpMjKcTBTfcFpB4GDe76cNI/s1600/Tiger's%2BEye.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Roar!*</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I don't know how I get so side-tracked. I constantly think I'm not busy at all and then weeks go by and I'm like <i>Oh my God I have a freakin blog! Shit! </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qKCc2mIw_4BSdwTUBXLkUnuRQwjO0i_MkPbY1F2Obg35yqj4_7OdKTJE3Sp6Wa_ThzjOlWoDscStXru6kSM-4GBLbSfw9BE9wNC-DGXEVVSd01LSMyUiFyRPhdr22etUyt-hVnBKQVo/s1600/me+exercising.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qKCc2mIw_4BSdwTUBXLkUnuRQwjO0i_MkPbY1F2Obg35yqj4_7OdKTJE3Sp6Wa_ThzjOlWoDscStXru6kSM-4GBLbSfw9BE9wNC-DGXEVVSd01LSMyUiFyRPhdr22etUyt-hVnBKQVo/s1600/me+exercising.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
It's like exercise for me. When I exercise, even after a respite, I remember why I do it. BECAUSE IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD. Same with the blog. It makes me feel good. And really for many reasons: I get to write differently, it's a true hobby with no monetary gain to be had (meaning I don't have to answer to anyone), hopefully I'm helping people find out about some very good under-the-radar places and things in LA they might not know about otherwise and finally, writing these posts remind me of how much beauty is all around me... <i>if I just look</i>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocuOCokh7UMhE3Jfad_JOqB0pLutbY5JTT99eO2KaO0rW2gEp7leFtgXVvWOphgZx7ZUvtJcJryVgXg5IdslTJlQn4WJLt3Y2-gi5k3YfLPFDS-5n_U-fPN0Ren3Jh8-40ZovoIZBpag/s1600/Cynical+Cyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cythia Greenburg" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocuOCokh7UMhE3Jfad_JOqB0pLutbY5JTT99eO2KaO0rW2gEp7leFtgXVvWOphgZx7ZUvtJcJryVgXg5IdslTJlQn4WJLt3Y2-gi5k3YfLPFDS-5n_U-fPN0Ren3Jh8-40ZovoIZBpag/s1600/Cynical+Cyn.jpg" height="640" title="Cynthia Greenburg" width="640" /></a></div>
I'm so grateful to those in LA - the small business owners especially - who take the time to make their store just right; those who choose what they sell so carefully. They're like curators to me. And there's one person in particular who really speaks to me. I see her as much an artist as a store owner. This would be Michelle van der Heijden, owner of <a href="http://www.m-u-s-h.com/">Mush</a> in Silverlake.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LFuktCh14sSn6gGfiWChA8L4-Uoley1iGbiNM5Ln4eSJGBRuHGfDtJpYcAV79FNNBuYAZdvglZ2urefQKDpLKmELw8cZuhSYj8I7Ro9zouLttS05ElChgsAzny6Zk6EpxV2KeQMdl_M/s1600/Michelle+Owner+of+Mush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LFuktCh14sSn6gGfiWChA8L4-Uoley1iGbiNM5Ln4eSJGBRuHGfDtJpYcAV79FNNBuYAZdvglZ2urefQKDpLKmELw8cZuhSYj8I7Ro9zouLttS05ElChgsAzny6Zk6EpxV2KeQMdl_M/s1600/Michelle+Owner+of+Mush.jpg" height="580" width="640" /></a></div>
I first met Michelle and her husband Emmanuel Todorov when they started Mush over in the Little Armenia section of Hollywood. They were right on the Boulevard, near a cafe and a Boxes Etc. store. Frankly I have no idea what drew me to the store - wasn't THE nicest block I ever saw. Maybe I liked the name. Mush. Never asked her where that came from. Fun to say. Muuuuuuush. Now that I think about it, they always had these wind chimes hanging in front. And they weren't frou frou or flowery. They looked mod and cool and like if I had the perfect home they would be hanging in it (or outside of it). Yeah, I guess it made sense why I went in.<br />
<br />
And go in I would. For <u>every</u> <u>single</u> <u>occasion</u>. I don't have a friend who doesn't have a present from me from Mush (Louise's birthday scarf, Max's earrings, a candle for Ellen). There was stuff for me too. Of course. I remember when I fell in love with a piece of art from <a href="http://maudsimmons.com/">Maud Simmons</a>. It was a little out of my range but Michelle and her husband put me on a payment plan. I don't think I paid interest. And now it hangs in my home. Where it was always meant to be.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3yzBU0jW_8zV0JrL9pRWmdiIT2Jz46dzlG7Zo4EZ_VxC6-nnvhc4EasnN809I7vVVLXkIrKFXWKt8qnwjjDYeYHju589XDWY3jqk8aeUQwDNPAyzIIFuVeHUGcGvX9SxG-erhguzElQ/s1600/Maud+Simmons+Painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3yzBU0jW_8zV0JrL9pRWmdiIT2Jz46dzlG7Zo4EZ_VxC6-nnvhc4EasnN809I7vVVLXkIrKFXWKt8qnwjjDYeYHju589XDWY3jqk8aeUQwDNPAyzIIFuVeHUGcGvX9SxG-erhguzElQ/s1600/Maud+Simmons+Painting.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Art by Maud Simmons</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But rent went up in their 'hood and they needed to get out. I ended up writing a little article about when they finally found their new home for <a href="http://www.theeastsiderla.com/2013/07/storefront-report-new-vintage-home-decor-shop-arrives-on-silver-lake-boulevard/">The Eastsider</a>. (That's a free little online rag if you ever want to get super local. Anyway...)<br />
<br />
Their new spot is on the 7-11 side of the strip of Silverlake Boulevard below The Reservoir. Mush is on the same side as Spaceland but down a ways, across from Yolk. There are a lot of stores in this small area vying for your attention. And without making a big to do about it, Michelle always puts something outside that catches my eye. Last time I was there it was $3.00 TV Guides.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRh_RRRaXONRkRFdThoxheHyEPQJeAN570n5Hb2xI5dhci-Y8nq8wUk8eYLxVJLlIIMi_CQxH1cSb6sm7OVx2SqIp3dXDpZOBenL9atuBUQQeTaOk0dct7vkXfLJAaXDo8p8Xt1Pm4k8/s1600/Vintage+TV+Guides.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Cobys TV Guide" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRh_RRRaXONRkRFdThoxheHyEPQJeAN570n5Hb2xI5dhci-Y8nq8wUk8eYLxVJLlIIMi_CQxH1cSb6sm7OVx2SqIp3dXDpZOBenL9atuBUQQeTaOk0dct7vkXfLJAaXDo8p8Xt1Pm4k8/s1600/Vintage+TV+Guides.jpg" height="640" title="The Cosbys TV Guide" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This Bill Cosby stuff is beyond disturbing. And don't you think that TV Guide might be worth more than 3 bucks? For such an awful reason. Yikes. Yikes Yikes Yikes.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLPtJDoUZK9kpPxraG3IcNLzJ_nMYYhfaOmKdCLcK0eWnXQ9X5s0WFH4g3xlu47GdjV_1sVCsK-1RjjE9MzgBazub4d-2QKuIBroWEMdVxLxGHS2TtDuUm6kYlbbpxC01PrVVOsXLnSg/s1600/What+Is+TV+Doing+To+Them%3F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vitage TV Guide" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLPtJDoUZK9kpPxraG3IcNLzJ_nMYYhfaOmKdCLcK0eWnXQ9X5s0WFH4g3xlu47GdjV_1sVCsK-1RjjE9MzgBazub4d-2QKuIBroWEMdVxLxGHS2TtDuUm6kYlbbpxC01PrVVOsXLnSg/s1600/What+Is+TV+Doing+To+Them%3F.jpg" height="640" title="Vintage TV Guides" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGhzWQh7J1QXuxI6yJnSFCNOnETunwFKW2ts2oIC1l8FIF_17Dvg3_h2d3hm4329yS2CUCG0aDzjY3zOENLER6GI7AGyx5r2KAiOASCwA_hWF_UBZZY04L60XVh1AfUC_JhsMhfA6PZ4/s1600/Phil+Donahue+TV+Guide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Phil Donaho" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGhzWQh7J1QXuxI6yJnSFCNOnETunwFKW2ts2oIC1l8FIF_17Dvg3_h2d3hm4329yS2CUCG0aDzjY3zOENLER6GI7AGyx5r2KAiOASCwA_hWF_UBZZY04L60XVh1AfUC_JhsMhfA6PZ4/s1600/Phil+Donahue+TV+Guide.jpg" height="640" title="Phil Donahue" width="480" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
The other places might seem nice but this place has my number. It's as eclectic as I think I am. I don't know if I really am but you know, I'm not one thing. I'm not just mid-century modern or totally Art Deco. I'm a bit of this and that.<br />
<br />
When I go in I'm always ALWAYS so pleasantly surprised. Michelle scours the freakin planet to get the stuff I think she herself would like to own or at the very least, stuff which brings up feelings or a memory for her. I often envision her with one of those beeping gadgets walking on the beach, combing for metals.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgec-ItysSfW7p5aKp9WEGIVkWKBRilcUy-NxaWuQfqAAIl-80xK7bhAA-dOjNuzkBhDxYaxduOEZnU2ZMMinJpeAHPL_KMHjyqG2U3b1J9lHi4L1TahFSInP4zCnBUj7rbzi2xeDMTwwc/s1600/It's%2Ba%2BLiving!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgec-ItysSfW7p5aKp9WEGIVkWKBRilcUy-NxaWuQfqAAIl-80xK7bhAA-dOjNuzkBhDxYaxduOEZnU2ZMMinJpeAHPL_KMHjyqG2U3b1J9lHi4L1TahFSInP4zCnBUj7rbzi2xeDMTwwc/s1600/It's%2Ba%2BLiving!.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
And because I'm not willing to rifle through the world's stuff to find all the gems, I'm glad she is.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5n0d-iwjSY9PpgUUejx0x2yavdTj51NnaitjtPkhMNmNUBMKOMB4AOm8-T9Tl54yV8vFIdxpbppsNnpUhmmwaw57meSlD97oD5fHHrkIpvuCAxtvoEHHEngEnSLzt3BqLs5md14yWgr4/s1600/Dangerous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Vitage Children's Furniture" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5n0d-iwjSY9PpgUUejx0x2yavdTj51NnaitjtPkhMNmNUBMKOMB4AOm8-T9Tl54yV8vFIdxpbppsNnpUhmmwaw57meSlD97oD5fHHrkIpvuCAxtvoEHHEngEnSLzt3BqLs5md14yWgr4/s1600/Dangerous.jpg" height="480" title="Vintage Children's Furniture" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><i>Vintage Children's Rocking Chair $85. Dangerous $110.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But don't be mistaken. It's not all vintage. It's a mix-up of old and new - and it all has a story; a history...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjIsgIOlgf5K7Wlb0u5xf8RIHiO7kMizeu9saBxK5ZeYv-sQSj2u1jPQYuOvtDYm2wQmYmojc-oIOm_imgcE2pkdClukkaNA8yIw8hfo0is-2FAVjfzhKZ4era7KrycGeCeyN7BYTyN0/s1600/Indian+Jewelry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjIsgIOlgf5K7Wlb0u5xf8RIHiO7kMizeu9saBxK5ZeYv-sQSj2u1jPQYuOvtDYm2wQmYmojc-oIOm_imgcE2pkdClukkaNA8yIw8hfo0is-2FAVjfzhKZ4era7KrycGeCeyN7BYTyN0/s1600/Indian+Jewelry.jpg" height="640" title="Navajo Jewelry" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Navajo Royston Turquoise Jewelry</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last time I was in, Michelle told me about these beautiful pieces of Navajo jewelry. They aren't vintage but they're made by the same tribe with methods passed down for generations. There is a resurgence and truly they are so special. The turquoise is real (which is a big deal since most of it has been mined to death) and frankly I don't even love Turquoise. It's maybe my least favorite part of visiting New Mexico, but I go for this Nevadan Royston blue. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
HINT.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some of her pieces are just fun. Fun to look at, fun to touch, fun to feel. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nHDdcPLlHGND3lS1gRY-lXa2RHgu1Td7uZ8BnFgv6exKbfI5yx_yl_g8dAYhPu8_yOsqlaEJ01mgdvn9OchXs1iGq2MnzCDDndqBK4v3D-EoAO_m0bG1zx8OhfpE6yT8ffpWYND_o6k/s1600/70's%2BVintage%2BNecklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nHDdcPLlHGND3lS1gRY-lXa2RHgu1Td7uZ8BnFgv6exKbfI5yx_yl_g8dAYhPu8_yOsqlaEJ01mgdvn9OchXs1iGq2MnzCDDndqBK4v3D-EoAO_m0bG1zx8OhfpE6yT8ffpWYND_o6k/s1600/70's%2BVintage%2BNecklace.jpg" height="640" title="1980's Vintage" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fabulous Vintage 80's Mesh Necklace for $75</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The above necklace or better yet neck piece is like this coin purse my mom gave to me when I was a kid that I loved to mush around in my fingers or suck on when no one was looking. (Addict in the making). With the right plunging neckline, this thing would kill.<br />
<div>
<br />
There's also a splash of cuteness here and there. Case in point, this cherub...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZl0GStV6QsjRnUzsPKK-TUrzqAySGMDB-hq1FZx7B38xsTzRHSMN_OUyutKM6mPZ13wAzGV3RavPirn_5WKBgwkYi6yaZ6NwabquSUwEqKHq_e4nKe6uG2bxoCbkiDlca5WLtZTCPhn4/s1600/Cherub+Statuettes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZl0GStV6QsjRnUzsPKK-TUrzqAySGMDB-hq1FZx7B38xsTzRHSMN_OUyutKM6mPZ13wAzGV3RavPirn_5WKBgwkYi6yaZ6NwabquSUwEqKHq_e4nKe6uG2bxoCbkiDlca5WLtZTCPhn4/s1600/Cherub+Statuettes.jpg" height="640" title="Collectible Statuettes" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cute as shit cherub playing the flute, $125</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
And this adorable vintage Bull Dog that could be a door stop or your pretend dog if you're allergic.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkHw0-ZMWaZHPQaGetPGzRdT80T4EVDE989fuDDrbYSZLG7lNlbp_QyPBF-LdU1vdFDvDQlQWPrwu27584V4MD6R6dz70A6fKz8iYb1jNqNihG_JSwtw6PihoEEnUgVdop768L4lQfGY/s1600/Vintage+Dog+Figurine+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkHw0-ZMWaZHPQaGetPGzRdT80T4EVDE989fuDDrbYSZLG7lNlbp_QyPBF-LdU1vdFDvDQlQWPrwu27584V4MD6R6dz70A6fKz8iYb1jNqNihG_JSwtw6PihoEEnUgVdop768L4lQfGY/s1600/Vintage+Dog+Figurine+.jpg" height="640" title="Bull Dog" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Authentic Cast Iron Bull Dog out of Boston for $275.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The knives are apparently a favorite with vegans.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9w7vj3nzaf5QV4zMSz8wCxupWLG2ovAQHnwk-dNUWn8p-bV2Ufn-wegnDwZZS-fyPzKadNZV4TnjUigS7IU7c54gbPve_-_bHWwvXz2nwp3lbdwPzBgSggZvsiTQHguvBUlFoDykRd3g/s1600/bullish+knives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9w7vj3nzaf5QV4zMSz8wCxupWLG2ovAQHnwk-dNUWn8p-bV2Ufn-wegnDwZZS-fyPzKadNZV4TnjUigS7IU7c54gbPve_-_bHWwvXz2nwp3lbdwPzBgSggZvsiTQHguvBUlFoDykRd3g/s1600/bullish+knives.jpg" height="640" title="stainless steel knives" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pewter & Silver Steak Knives. $275 for a set of 6</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
But remember those gifts? If you're like me $275 might be a bit pricey for a friend's birthday (if not, look me up). Mush carries those things you can just run in on your way to a birthday dinner and you know there'll be something.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_-0FotYVSG_Olf6vG-oe2NVBniPZ8B2iILEwqwaTAF6b1haA6rp4cEZdN0oAI2_3FEl2CxNLYGhHt5C7pITemO2yIyMNFivvBR9Psrwmr3XuHJSpc3LEIVETBQ1u0VVTjrRrJjQ2K70/s1600/K.hall+soaps+&+candles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_-0FotYVSG_Olf6vG-oe2NVBniPZ8B2iILEwqwaTAF6b1haA6rp4cEZdN0oAI2_3FEl2CxNLYGhHt5C7pITemO2yIyMNFivvBR9Psrwmr3XuHJSpc3LEIVETBQ1u0VVTjrRrJjQ2K70/s1600/K.hall+soaps+&+candles.jpg" height="480" title="k.hill" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>k.hall soaps & candles</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The above is a good example. Michelle says she's been stocking k.hall for years because people love and come back for their products. The soaps are only $12 and one bar can last up to 2 months.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzdika9s91qilNs9KnCzvv2dMizJazCvDTzi7A_nO6fDcN6RNjOV1aKNRwRDAlt52VZAImQcjnLKxfggKH0W-8umh_8h-okcF9CPrq-VNDUiMNbNMeBzaGd30Yg9A_4miGUg1No5sy9U/s1600/Necklaces+at+Mush+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzdika9s91qilNs9KnCzvv2dMizJazCvDTzi7A_nO6fDcN6RNjOV1aKNRwRDAlt52VZAImQcjnLKxfggKH0W-8umh_8h-okcF9CPrq-VNDUiMNbNMeBzaGd30Yg9A_4miGUg1No5sy9U/s1600/Necklaces+at+Mush+1.jpg" height="640" title="Chalcedony" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These necklaces are kick-ass as well. The chains are gold-filled and the stones are Chalcedony. $35 to $54 each. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As you can see, there's a bit of everything. It all comes together. Old and new work so seamlessly in tandem. Because it all comes from one eye. One sense of style.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwvGCBskXdtf_0JtSdtl-Ssy05qVe8KrXuxUt7vmF1ZKrvthKBlgWb0RnZtXXub5r_2DNk5nJzhXft_28-3PbYk1LDSLTtC-UG7YXmy_d4HnftiyXUiI_q9T7OFwaCp2SAWOtsGf77-8/s1600/vintage+typewriter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwvGCBskXdtf_0JtSdtl-Ssy05qVe8KrXuxUt7vmF1ZKrvthKBlgWb0RnZtXXub5r_2DNk5nJzhXft_28-3PbYk1LDSLTtC-UG7YXmy_d4HnftiyXUiI_q9T7OFwaCp2SAWOtsGf77-8/s1600/vintage+typewriter.jpg" height="480" title="Corona Typewriter" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The phone WORKS! From the 40's. Only one owner. Super score. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Oh my God. I wrote all this stuff and just realized regardless of why she called it Mush I get in my mind what it means. Everything all together WORKS. Duh. Just took me 7 years to figure that one out.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mush is at 1617 Silverlake Boulevard, Silverlake, LA 90026. 323.664.6874. Through the end of the year, they'll be open every day from 10am to 6:30pm. Street parking available but always check the signs. Also if you're not in LA but interested in what they have to offer, go to their very vibrant and active online store. You'll find a lot more furniture there as well as stuff not found in their store. They ship anywhere. Check out <a href="http://mush.co/">mush.co</a> for more info.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5bETOE7JLhTEkxDG9ZPE3KNgCLoVEouClK8r2QAiE9VIKDRKzHPxXQJ1R7o8MVku5L5FT63-B-KDrzdFVtyZHKWKZkXMRAqtRX6NJxXw-DoU8ismEakLIgg5l_5Vx9zUYNOxmsyghBU/s1600/Wooden+Bowl+Base.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5bETOE7JLhTEkxDG9ZPE3KNgCLoVEouClK8r2QAiE9VIKDRKzHPxXQJ1R7o8MVku5L5FT63-B-KDrzdFVtyZHKWKZkXMRAqtRX6NJxXw-DoU8ismEakLIgg5l_5Vx9zUYNOxmsyghBU/s1600/Wooden+Bowl+Base.jpg" height="640" title="Hand-Turned Wood Bowls" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wooden Bowls, hand-turned by Gerry Martin. From $65-260.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Enjoy! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>*The Tiger's head is a prop from the 80's with realistic glass eyes. Signed by the artist. $250.00</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-66331702948612243392014-10-22T14:48:00.001-07:002014-11-15T09:49:55.397-08:00LA and The World in a Stew Over Renee Zellwegger<a href="http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article2665032.ece/alternates/s615/MAIN-Renee-Zellweger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="ReneZelwegger" border="0" src="http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article2665032.ece/alternates/s615/MAIN-Renee-Zellweger.jpg" height="424" title="Renee Zellweger" width="640" /></a><br />
People are freaking out EVERYWHERE that Renee Zellweger "doesn't look like herself." Everyone from plumbers to producers are sharing an outcry but the thing is, try watching a movie where a woman over the age of thirty-five-something is hired (that's the first miraculous thing) and doesn't look perfect (miraculous thing #2). Is she the lead? Huh. Wow. The Trifecta.<br />
<br />
Then examine the cast of that movie. What do the men look like? Do they have "sexy" crow's feet? A big fat belly? How old are they? Is there an older man sleeping with a younger woman? There is? I'm so shocked.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I'm traveling and just watched "Chef" on the plane. I really like this movie. It has heart and soul. The portrayal of the young boy and the difficulty of dealing with his dad who's divorced from his mom was basically realistic. Basically. But I digress. Jon Favreau was very charming. Funny, smart, imperfect in some of his decisions. Oh, and one more thing: Jon Favreau was maybe 50-60 pounds overweight, was having sex with Scarlett Johannson, and then (*spoiler alert*) gets back together with his ex-wife, played by Sofia Vegara. Now I'm totally fine with it. No problem by me. Write the movie you want to write, cast it as you want to cast it. Entertaining. Really. I like those ladies. Everyone was good in the film. I'm happy as a clam.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn02.cdn.justjared.com/wp-content/uploads/headlines/2014/04/sofia-vergara-jon-favreau-premiere-chef-at-tribeca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="John Favreau" border="0" src="http://cdn02.cdn.justjared.com/wp-content/uploads/headlines/2014/04/sofia-vergara-jon-favreau-premiere-chef-at-tribeca.jpg" height="640" title="Jon Favreau" width="640" /></a></div>
Now...what if we reverse these roles, just as an experiment. The lead in a funny, well-done script, well-cast film, is an overweight woman? Not under 40. She's sleeping with Channing Tatum. Oh, and she's going to (*spoiler alert*) get back together with her ex, played by Adam Driver? Or okay, maybe he's <i>slightly </i>too young. We'll cast Ashton Kutcher. How about that movie? Oh, right. It doesn't really exist does it?<br />
<br />
Yeah.<br />
<br />
I guess I just needed to stick up for Renee. I don't know this woman. I can't say she wasn't beat out for a bunch of roles the past several years based on more than her looks. I know nothing about her career, really. What I do know is very few of us personally know the truth either. Nor do any one of us know what she's been through and reacted to or dealt with leading her to make the choices she's made. To not give her a fair shake, man, just seems cold and mean. Really cold and mean.<br />
<br />
Off the top of my head, some actresses 45 and over working are: Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep, Jessica Lange, Annette Bening, Angelica Huston, Helen Mirren, Susan Sarandon and Frances McDormand.<br />
<br />
Most of these women were particularly beautiful as younger women. I mean drop-dead, other-worldly hot. Think about Meryl Streep in Kramer vs. Kramer, Jessica Lange in Frances, Annette Bening in Bugsy, Helen Mirren in anything, Susan Sarandon in Bull Durham.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://glitzandgrammar.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/tumblr_kveq4hnxWQ1qa9th5o1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Meryl Street" border="0" src="http://glitzandgrammar.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/tumblr_kveq4hnxWQ1qa9th5o1_400.jpg" height="640" title="Meryl Streep" width="466" /></a></div>
And they had it all in terms of being uber talented, stunningly beautiful, sexy as all get out, and a few even could age without a bunch of breast-ups and needles to the face and veins.<br />
<br />
I am not sure, no I'm pretty sure we just can't, we DON'T look at the men the same way.<br />
<br />
So you know, if you have better things to do then put down Renee Zellweger, God bless you. If not, and you're on the bandwagon with those putting down Renee Zellweger or dressing it up as feeling sorry for her, then think about the decisions made in not just Hollywood but in society. Think about the pressures on women regarding ageism, the demand women be flawless in beauty, and the insistence they make little to no mistakes with their career. If you're willing to apply these same rules to men, that would be one thing. If not, then maybe, and I say it with love, shut the fuck up.<br />
<br />
p.s. I'll get back to writing about cool LA things but I had my panties in a bunch so you know, there you go.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-77431867317186069222014-10-16T11:21:00.002-07:002014-11-15T09:55:21.612-08:00Self-Care in The City of AngelsThe other day I had a bit of a blow up, meltdown, implosion. It sucked. Lying in bed crying is a great thing to do when you're miserable... FOR A LITTLE WHILE... but it's nothing to make a habit of, especially when you live in one of the best cities in the world for those in need to recover from feeling rejected.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGfDNAkM23Kfd4yKRJw-1hCXSTWMMCY8HZAO72W_-nA_5mnmWRX0N0c2l-eZIA0M3Wli97OZuWBO8Xx_yTK-oUA5wwqnPiH2Uv4JyD2TCc_ELs-lEYfBlxH1z5asVV_NiljZjzpkcvpU/s1600/Pet+Entwhistle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pet Entwhistle" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGfDNAkM23Kfd4yKRJw-1hCXSTWMMCY8HZAO72W_-nA_5mnmWRX0N0c2l-eZIA0M3Wli97OZuWBO8Xx_yTK-oUA5wwqnPiH2Uv4JyD2TCc_ELs-lEYfBlxH1z5asVV_NiljZjzpkcvpU/s1600/Pet+Entwhistle.jpg" height="640" title="Peg Entwhistle" width="423" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Peg Entwhistle</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unless I'm wrong, poor Peg Entwhistle was the first actress to take a leap off The Hollywood Sign. I'm not going to say if she went to Whole Foods, meditated at The Vedanta Temple and got a massage from Nikom at The Raven things would have been different...<br />
<br />
But really, a little self-care goes a long way in a city that thrives on chewing you up and spitting you out.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpV5BwYxY15EFmsNd4IOxGMu4e-98AJejiFJZx6gMJiG6Q5U63WQcsqZBTC-TuS-a6ydHlBwivKQ90TIO6Ah_gxMcEC0po-2vmBEORU-BDbEYV2FIQclGQWeLLXdvfnrctl_7Sm53arng/s1600/Capitol+Records+Building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Capital Records Building" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpV5BwYxY15EFmsNd4IOxGMu4e-98AJejiFJZx6gMJiG6Q5U63WQcsqZBTC-TuS-a6ydHlBwivKQ90TIO6Ah_gxMcEC0po-2vmBEORU-BDbEYV2FIQclGQWeLLXdvfnrctl_7Sm53arng/s1600/Capitol+Records+Building.jpg" height="480" title="Capitol Records Building" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sometimes Hollywood feels downright depressing</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Because as a writer, actress, director, musician -- you have to know rejection is a part of it. And you do develop a thick skin but that skin has to be immersed and infused with oils, scrubbed down with salts, moisturized with Nightingale poop, plumped up with fillers and kissed all over by the force of the universe to be fully appreciated no matter what, in order to deal with all that is putting its grubby little hands over it.<br />
<br />
Yep, sounds like someone had a bad day. So my first stop in trying to feel better -- oh wait, my<i> first</i> stop was a cheeseburger at <a href="http://www.theoaksgourmet.com/menu.html">The Oaks Gourmet</a> in Hollywood.<br />
<br />
My little friend, Nancy, met me there. I didn't take any pictures. You wouldn't want to see what I did to this burger or what I looked like in this moment in time. Oh, the best is I say to the incredibly handsome guy at the checkout register (everyone there is incredibly handsome or super-chick-hot -- I kind of think it's a pre-req to getting a gig there) that I'd like a burger, medium rare, no this or that, etc. etc. And then I go, "You know what? I'm emotionally eating. Can I have the Greek Salad as well?" Their Greek Salad is SO good. It has mint and is light and not too onion-y and tastes fresh - really fresh. Like the tomatoes are tomatoes <i>I'd</i> choose. Anyway, he goes, "So, not the burger, just the salad?" And I go "No, I said, I'm emotionally eating. So both. Thank you!" He was too hot and skinny to have any idea what I meant but smiled like the good young optimistic sport he was.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuesuzxy1HnBX5IQ39J-dfyoFgsV0bU391LF-57i-pDPqZ85N-EWZ9Gi3SKUY-gMbrLNrmN2Zi3bu7jFZjBHZCXm-Mu3BO2BzbTSjAEvDyTjap89xSzqbfdpOI60QIO9PcaC-1aCJGRw/s1600/Kirsten+Dunst+at+The+Oaks+Gourmet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kristen Dunst" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuesuzxy1HnBX5IQ39J-dfyoFgsV0bU391LF-57i-pDPqZ85N-EWZ9Gi3SKUY-gMbrLNrmN2Zi3bu7jFZjBHZCXm-Mu3BO2BzbTSjAEvDyTjap89xSzqbfdpOI60QIO9PcaC-1aCJGRw/s1600/Kirsten+Dunst+at+The+Oaks+Gourmet.jpg" height="640" title="Kirsten Dunst" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kirsten Dunst at The Oaks Gourmet (kind of like me & Nancy)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nancy's like my trudging bud. She knows my pain. She ALWAYS makes me laugh. And if every day I could meet her at The Oaks and eat a burger, one of the best in Hollywood, that would be heaven. No, come on. That would be disgusting. I'd have a major cholesterol problem. Okay. Moving on.<br />
<br />
I went home, cried and lied around and listened to my meditation mp3. It's this woman, Micaela Boehm from Vienna (I decided that. I don't actually know where she's from). She's a hypnotist I saw years ago and I still listen to the recording she made for me. I put on my eye mask, lie down, and press play. She goes <i>So now to begin with I want you to make yourself very comfortable. And just allow your body to sink down, into the soft service, adjusting your body so that you can rest for a few moments, allowing your body to... rest... your mind to drift aimlessly... effortlessly... drifting from thought to thought... while your body begins to sink down... feeling all the stress and tension of your day... and letting yourself sink down... unwind...slow now...as you... drift...float...flow...</i> I don't know what else she says because I immediately fall asleep every time.<br />
<br />
Then two of my closest friends checked in. I was "called to action" and met up with Else & Stephanie who let me cry like a colicky baby and got me to laugh at myself.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnSdHCIJhIwRzO1NKVqb4hCi3sHi-6CEdQM2q2PXb70NgIxYGRJNVqV0je1kHuBxq07115tMmgbbGQcjtzZChKkTgVOQTEotHO8wXNBAQJV0o0vvFJlnh0TRw14sULF9kY7pPF4eUedc/s1600/Best+Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Real Housewife" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnSdHCIJhIwRzO1NKVqb4hCi3sHi-6CEdQM2q2PXb70NgIxYGRJNVqV0je1kHuBxq07115tMmgbbGQcjtzZChKkTgVOQTEotHO8wXNBAQJV0o0vvFJlnh0TRw14sULF9kY7pPF4eUedc/s1600/Best+Friends.jpg" height="640" title="The Real Housewives" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My Real Housewives Companions, Else & Stephanie</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These are the guys I can say the straight dope to and they're kind enough to remind me I'm not always such a downer. They're pretty awesome and I started to feel like people <u>did</u> like me and my Stuart Smalley self was gonna be okay.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmp7lBDaSFUoy-q3KrTZGVSaXOtzczaED1qmkyMLIUXpF8edYJVJ0d_MivltuJ9L7IRn5y3MnT1018HcttML5bWDgxegfqFPRa9twmc1b1RQhmNBUiQS1GxXgCh_WGHLN2EHfEHlt8ok/s1600/Stuart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Stewart Smalley" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmp7lBDaSFUoy-q3KrTZGVSaXOtzczaED1qmkyMLIUXpF8edYJVJ0d_MivltuJ9L7IRn5y3MnT1018HcttML5bWDgxegfqFPRa9twmc1b1RQhmNBUiQS1GxXgCh_WGHLN2EHfEHlt8ok/s1600/Stuart.jpg" height="480" title="Stuart Smalley" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Doggone it, people like me!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But the next morning when I woke up, with swollen eyelids, I was kind of like, <i>Wow, people don't like me.</i><br />
<br />
I knew I could just feel sorry for myself for endless pointless hours or I could get into action. Trust me, feeling sorry for myself can be like a super ugly default and a job unto itself. But I chose to do otherwise. First stop?<br />
<br />
Meditation at the <a href="http://www.vedanta.com/">Vedanta Temple</a> in The Hollywood Hills.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWy7XbTuwqdR70crn_iyXM7tqJ5-B50KmpI6DTai60UScs-Yl9rvWhgirAkmdFpZbqY4UROuCUTAjXEqZukujSb6s6Gup38cfM5D6emZJpsIxolhTu_ZHO_CR00Yn7O2sb7TxtIXswIVM/s1600/Vedanta+Temple+Images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Venyasa" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWy7XbTuwqdR70crn_iyXM7tqJ5-B50KmpI6DTai60UScs-Yl9rvWhgirAkmdFpZbqY4UROuCUTAjXEqZukujSb6s6Gup38cfM5D6emZJpsIxolhTu_ZHO_CR00Yn7O2sb7TxtIXswIVM/s1600/Vedanta+Temple+Images.jpg" height="424" title="Vendanta " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Vedanta Society of Southern California</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is SUCH an unassuming place. It's tucked away on this teensy street right above Hollywood, off of Vine. It's located in one of the oldest, smallest, and most charming enclaves of LA, The Hollywood Dell, where all the houses look like craftsman cabins where magical elves live.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKld3z3W-oGlJmNcqVrju7ol8eJY1c9ycwDvwSJ4_gr7KUQ9Er8NUGNJ9pkMyXNQ1BcJv_4gXxfgp59EiJfXJul5i-BZnY8alrS6DdHjXNhoGP62QQ9vGTF5py7woOp8pWTLNx90V0QQ/s1600/Hollywood+Dell+(garage).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Hollywoo Dell" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKld3z3W-oGlJmNcqVrju7ol8eJY1c9ycwDvwSJ4_gr7KUQ9Er8NUGNJ9pkMyXNQ1BcJv_4gXxfgp59EiJfXJul5i-BZnY8alrS6DdHjXNhoGP62QQ9vGTF5py7woOp8pWTLNx90V0QQ/s1600/Hollywood+Dell+(garage).jpg" height="640" title="The Hollywood Dell " width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I forgot to get good pictures of this area so here's someone's garage across from The Temple</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So peaceful, unpopulated, beautiful, mellow. I went into the temple, pulled up a cushion, and started to meditate. It felt good. I was at ease. I felt so peaceful and quiet.<br />
<br />
<i>And then this lady walked in. </i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgys_xbEYX_1LG22rks4Wt0AL1wmP_HFSyjaXZ0-PWa62Pea3qs2nrPPEfqVzgypDykRm4x2e1NqQw78JkzaYLMlISiKQ09GLBHiU3LhcwxeA5KDMWN78kTy4wRKEB3U7B6CrrT6q_uJ8M/s1600/Vedanta+Temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mediation" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgys_xbEYX_1LG22rks4Wt0AL1wmP_HFSyjaXZ0-PWa62Pea3qs2nrPPEfqVzgypDykRm4x2e1NqQw78JkzaYLMlISiKQ09GLBHiU3LhcwxeA5KDMWN78kTy4wRKEB3U7B6CrrT6q_uJ8M/s1600/Vedanta+Temple.jpg" height="424" title="Meditation" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wasn't sure if it would be frowned upon to take pictures but sometimes being subversive makes me feel better.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
She kept moving around. I don't know why. I was trying to think of nothing but sometimes would slightly open my left eyelid to peek over and make sure she wasn't doing something weird. She wasn't. She was just fidgety. I was like that on a plane once to Barcelona. I was sharing a bunch of seats with some woman and I couldn't get comfortable and I kept moving around and she goes, <i>Settle down!</i> and I was like paralyzed for the rest of the flight and didn't sleep one wink. I didn't say sharply <i>Settle down!</i> to this fidgety lady in the temple. I like to think of myself as evolved and she left before my meditation time was up. Oh, that was the other thing. I set my timer on my phone to meditate. Then when she came in, I felt completely like I should turn it off and couldn't stop obsessing over that. I was so relieved when she left. If that lady is reading this, <i>Thank you, Lady!</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPpcE0Cnm4IdPAdLsNezboRbKomEKyudkJUgPNFBT6WJNc3TNR6vJL4a_wbC_7UYtwAcEwBcEP0vqWjy0NBfB7vzjEjki_7gesm_G2DMtG40Ij3FVpfV02gRO_kDR3wA8MH3h5Xdw2bg/s1600/Elephant+Trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPpcE0Cnm4IdPAdLsNezboRbKomEKyudkJUgPNFBT6WJNc3TNR6vJL4a_wbC_7UYtwAcEwBcEP0vqWjy0NBfB7vzjEjki_7gesm_G2DMtG40Ij3FVpfV02gRO_kDR3wA8MH3h5Xdw2bg/s1600/Elephant+Trees.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hug a tree at The Vedanta Center in Hollywood</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Afterwards, I had to go to the dentist. Let's not get into that shit, although I will say, I have the best dentist EVER and he's super nice and travels all over the world and takes incredible pictures. If you need a dentist, look up Dr. Kurtz in Glendale. He rocks (and he likes rocks).<br />
<br />
Then off to Whole Foods. My friend, Dina, who is an integrative nutritionist and has a company called <a href="http://dina-cannistraci.healthcoach.integrativenutrition.com/">Well Is Good</a> reminded me that good food makes me feel better. She's ALWAYS right and besides, I wanted to spend money but spend it productively in a safe atmosphere. So I went to adult Disneyland, otherwise known as Whole Foods, The Happiest Place on Earth (including Bed, Bath & Beyond).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vzpEl-Mgxj1PvnccFoot9kcIiV_KspNCaiSlstIeAoVMiejVMo63SZ2-jfSNKE4_hPBYNevPjC8uC5ERI3W3XSEGi6l9KdyTLSud3_9B5TDJ5oEOdIN25BSCGRPCQPAwMEhSHzprI1s/s1600/Whole+Foods+Arroyo+Parkway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Wole Foods" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vzpEl-Mgxj1PvnccFoot9kcIiV_KspNCaiSlstIeAoVMiejVMo63SZ2-jfSNKE4_hPBYNevPjC8uC5ERI3W3XSEGi6l9KdyTLSud3_9B5TDJ5oEOdIN25BSCGRPCQPAwMEhSHzprI1s/s1600/Whole+Foods+Arroyo+Parkway.jpg" height="424" title="Whole Foods" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Whole Foods on Arroyo Parkway</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Either you hate or love Whole Foods. I get it. I've been there. But right now, I wish I lived in this place. And the one on Arroyo Parkway, which is like award winning and everyone knows it's super nice, is filled with magic beans and good vibes. I mean look at this guy...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBW0g6Cyq32dk7SkjoIneEyJ_BFpoci7QM8zyLQ23AoC57a6Fzt9pE6fNUUHYQQOkAUGIYDcewATX3XD0MZ3O2AtQOvElZGdvGQFsutHgZhxeEHCfyAUBJhxOZy9TQr_LQMpobXbHPnYk/s1600/Pat+The+Sandwich+God+at+Whole+Foods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Best Sandwhiches LA" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBW0g6Cyq32dk7SkjoIneEyJ_BFpoci7QM8zyLQ23AoC57a6Fzt9pE6fNUUHYQQOkAUGIYDcewATX3XD0MZ3O2AtQOvElZGdvGQFsutHgZhxeEHCfyAUBJhxOZy9TQr_LQMpobXbHPnYk/s1600/Pat+The+Sandwich+God+at+Whole+Foods.jpg" height="424" title="Best Sandwiches LA" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pat, The Sandwich King</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am not kidding. This kid is like a freakin genius. He knows sandwiches and I'm a sandwich maven/snob. If you're at Whole Foods and need a sammy, I pray for you that Pat's working. That's all I can say.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dYM5BunQeCQt4qMX8hnv6mYYwSHka6UXun7O-U-2tGwIXEr2Aw21-dMgjMRFjcz94s0pb611BdMr_3sDnzCHg0iCfiw1o9NqKCnKaVI4ZByVKgNit3UgV0andnNMFTTTrM3Tv42Jync/s1600/Checker+at+Whole+Foods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dYM5BunQeCQt4qMX8hnv6mYYwSHka6UXun7O-U-2tGwIXEr2Aw21-dMgjMRFjcz94s0pb611BdMr_3sDnzCHg0iCfiw1o9NqKCnKaVI4ZByVKgNit3UgV0andnNMFTTTrM3Tv42Jync/s1600/Checker+at+Whole+Foods.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And this lady? I live for this lady. She is SO nice to me. Every time. I will wait in line so I can see her. She always has a nice thing to say and anyway, she's like one of those people that reminds me people are good and nice and nothing really matters. And she always has a nice extra touch, like super fantastic earrings. She's like Flor at Von's in Eagle Rock who usually has a flower in her hair and Dorothy at Gelson's in Hollywood who ALWAYS remembers you.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VNS-t-RWAOgE8NO2sndiDyT0ptByiuObgs6RTWPPe_emKq7mmO4bjLe0pHH5z9EuRKEaggJLXzIBTlDArv3rQf9a1Vl4vRy8Q5W0Hta2Ox_i2azLBG45neTKwhvAdj6BVC6UH3CByVE/s1600/Olives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Olivee" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VNS-t-RWAOgE8NO2sndiDyT0ptByiuObgs6RTWPPe_emKq7mmO4bjLe0pHH5z9EuRKEaggJLXzIBTlDArv3rQf9a1Vl4vRy8Q5W0Hta2Ox_i2azLBG45neTKwhvAdj6BVC6UH3CByVE/s1600/Olives.jpg" height="424" title="Olive" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
But Whole Foods, there's just something special about really good food.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYqpXGUCkzqzZk_-zrfsvQ_kXCGXWylZuJthFzzM71M0hhkcomq7KEmztyvsWPGJvPc5FQS_LuqiA4DtneBkH07UkffkhO1Y47QymOAAFVollA5T29AEieBvXF5YTg2UL-0KZMV96g74/s1600/Farm+Fresh+Salmon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Samon" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYqpXGUCkzqzZk_-zrfsvQ_kXCGXWylZuJthFzzM71M0hhkcomq7KEmztyvsWPGJvPc5FQS_LuqiA4DtneBkH07UkffkhO1Y47QymOAAFVollA5T29AEieBvXF5YTg2UL-0KZMV96g74/s1600/Farm+Fresh+Salmon.jpg" height="424" title="Salmon" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Just found out the Salmon is on sale this Friday for $8.99 per lb.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I don't drink and I don't smoke.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68dRhiMrRKUm7Gt2rG7fmFFVdr4Pq2btX8DybXJgZVWzqAf66gQMQO5eRlxSzwAb-Q7y2b8NLfdNiQLPAF3g5eDiE1NXSyQfdJBeHFPmugY_rLO8eHNkxI3TaqjdlE8QPm-BqFSDbuoE/s1600/food+at+Whole+Foods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="foot bar" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68dRhiMrRKUm7Gt2rG7fmFFVdr4Pq2btX8DybXJgZVWzqAf66gQMQO5eRlxSzwAb-Q7y2b8NLfdNiQLPAF3g5eDiE1NXSyQfdJBeHFPmugY_rLO8eHNkxI3TaqjdlE8QPm-BqFSDbuoE/s1600/food+at+Whole+Foods.jpg" height="424" title="food bar" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Food is what I got. So trust me, I am going to make the most of it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6s4SZHqfdwpMfHE4Wq0VsDA4AQAQZh6pHE7nN5HCviliz4JQFnI48AqqqDcDZbXoihgVi0iKJdE2BuVyUDL6onZIsz1sGnWEN1QrB5uXbT6c8zUVlmLgVUNZmp74zmYC4n5sfybXtlB0/s1600/Where+to+buy+Pumpkins+in+Pasadena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="punkin" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6s4SZHqfdwpMfHE4Wq0VsDA4AQAQZh6pHE7nN5HCviliz4JQFnI48AqqqDcDZbXoihgVi0iKJdE2BuVyUDL6onZIsz1sGnWEN1QrB5uXbT6c8zUVlmLgVUNZmp74zmYC4n5sfybXtlB0/s1600/Where+to+buy+Pumpkins+in+Pasadena.jpg" height="424" title="pumpkins" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Save a cow, eat a pumpkin!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And as good as all that was, no journey towards feeling better about yourself is complete, in my humble opinion, without a massage. LA has a billion choices from excellent super cheap (like <a href="http://www.phosiam.com/">Pho Siam</a> on the edge of downtown) to uber dripping in indulgence shmance (like <a href="http://www.fourseasons.com/beverlywilshire/spa.html">The Spa</a> in Beverly Hills at The Four Seasons). For me though, when I'm really in need, when I don't want to compromise, but I can't justify spending a car payment (or worse) on a massage, I go visit Nikom at <a href="http://www.theravenspa.com/">The Raven</a> in Silverlake: My all-time favorite massage maybe on the planet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxMVHRHCDk5O90p0bdK6bgvSgL8iUkbweUIEmgwvesOYyEMz1nTxIOjVM-CWgIsQUMkYTYHLsWxKHSQ0S5pjaqoClb1mNh-4fi31qE7LckGQH5Y57ifrf_afJwWjd0f8WbC4SkS-CKkc/s1600/The+Best+Masseuse+In+LA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Massege" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxMVHRHCDk5O90p0bdK6bgvSgL8iUkbweUIEmgwvesOYyEMz1nTxIOjVM-CWgIsQUMkYTYHLsWxKHSQ0S5pjaqoClb1mNh-4fi31qE7LckGQH5Y57ifrf_afJwWjd0f8WbC4SkS-CKkc/s1600/The+Best+Masseuse+In+LA.jpg" height="640" title="Massage" width="424" /></a></div>
This guy is a master. A true master. The guy who owns the place, Barry, took extra care when he hired his staff. Some people are just healers and Nikom is one of those men. I got The Custom (where you discuss what ails you and the masseuse tailors his/her massage to fit your needs). I scheduled an hour, which is $100.00. Now that's not the most expensive massage you'll get but it's not really cheap either. I was splurging. I was going all out. And I'm SO glad I did. Because I noticed he was going over an hour. I was surprised. Now I had called just an hour before to schedule this and might have miscommunicated how long I wanted my massage. That's what I thought had happened until I went to the receptionist to settle up. She said he went over because he felt I needed it! Can you imagine? They still charged me $100.00 but he was generous because HE IS A HEALER!<br />
<br />
But first, let me tell you, you walk in and it's like you're suddenly in Bali or something.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfrqT-_1m0EIraSoTpBmqvAFvvL-q4dmL26nYwVcUZrAcJa2PYuZw4sq5CogRCZVr8TNvnetp1MLJGrWarh0jdNxr9YPmN0fuFVJFe08jm1kamEi-qm0caEKwZT1lL3Au5nSkdHjlLas/s1600/Bali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Ravens" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfrqT-_1m0EIraSoTpBmqvAFvvL-q4dmL26nYwVcUZrAcJa2PYuZw4sq5CogRCZVr8TNvnetp1MLJGrWarh0jdNxr9YPmN0fuFVJFe08jm1kamEi-qm0caEKwZT1lL3Au5nSkdHjlLas/s1600/Bali.jpg" height="640" title="The Raven" width="424" /></a></div>
And the whole place reeks of sage, and I love this smell. I know to some people it's pot-adjacent but I love love love...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPwBJ4HgX0hDk_EBF-RPvpXdo7AdZBEyW07liDD6SuUGwvfKP8OML6ngxyoMJxlEVL9I21nkicxPXLC9n6B15gjiDvaEoZmsuFuNg9lPYBkhLisfLn4Typsv6aeKtb4mDWvTxpGJK1Q8/s1600/Native+Sage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sage s" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPwBJ4HgX0hDk_EBF-RPvpXdo7AdZBEyW07liDD6SuUGwvfKP8OML6ngxyoMJxlEVL9I21nkicxPXLC9n6B15gjiDvaEoZmsuFuNg9lPYBkhLisfLn4Typsv6aeKtb4mDWvTxpGJK1Q8/s1600/Native+Sage.jpg" height="640" title="Sage" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Native Sage, 10 bucks, at The Raven in Silverlake</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's the whole place that heals you. Every little thing...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvm6JupFH6S1gJF4sJUHEhCh0Bk4S5YDzBDGkglBqXgEIpJkHAcJ7C12wQjwZO3pqyKRDaaQl4xFwdnQGgA1jKfhl7xn4vAKs5-dWCE0lc7HpG0IbSHYO4o90VGx_Eu3j_9Jaiyg_82rQ/s1600/Review+of+The+Raven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Silverake" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvm6JupFH6S1gJF4sJUHEhCh0Bk4S5YDzBDGkglBqXgEIpJkHAcJ7C12wQjwZO3pqyKRDaaQl4xFwdnQGgA1jKfhl7xn4vAKs5-dWCE0lc7HpG0IbSHYO4o90VGx_Eu3j_9Jaiyg_82rQ/s1600/Review+of+The+Raven.jpg" height="424" title="Silerlake" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Massage Beds at The Raven</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDwBhySVn8lAtq9cPMGV7qhhuolOG72sEAGKCp8ixdPjmR3AER9U0O4teal0gqXBc9WVEOduA9ZvX-R5QXE2Wgl2T1_zLi9xSSdHHfMeshvJxxJGENQyjWgjS1FNUnVh7Nd8Kn7A2_Ig/s1600/Fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDwBhySVn8lAtq9cPMGV7qhhuolOG72sEAGKCp8ixdPjmR3AER9U0O4teal0gqXBc9WVEOduA9ZvX-R5QXE2Wgl2T1_zLi9xSSdHHfMeshvJxxJGENQyjWgjS1FNUnVh7Nd8Kn7A2_Ig/s1600/Fountain.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Main Area</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjm8TMSeVoPCHTRBBQ0Y7wRMRa3K6FJbhkhm2PPXiwEhOjGabC6MPGm9b4QeiLhjTWedSoQik-k_yaJ4CF0UpqMOHEwkyu3yWhcaAqZYxgiAJSGvbx0jbzHTSMSIB9zWPMbl7htZMFyHo/s1600/Massage+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjm8TMSeVoPCHTRBBQ0Y7wRMRa3K6FJbhkhm2PPXiwEhOjGabC6MPGm9b4QeiLhjTWedSoQik-k_yaJ4CF0UpqMOHEwkyu3yWhcaAqZYxgiAJSGvbx0jbzHTSMSIB9zWPMbl7htZMFyHo/s1600/Massage+Room.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Inside my massage room</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You know, I can't remember how I first came across Nikom. Was it through my friend, Amanda, or did we both find him around the same time? I can't remember. All I know is when the going gets tough, the tough, battered, bruised, sad and emo -- if they're smart -- go to Nikom.<br />
<br />
And that's it! That's what it took to feel okay, ready to take on the world, cease the self-pity party. I should say, that's what it took this time. Trust me, I have a lot in my quiver to nurse a bruised ego. Because I live here. I like it here. I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to keep trying, persevering and I have to know that rolling with the punches requires some extra TLC.<br />
<br />
But man, I wish I had chosen some profession in the self-care industry instead of wanting to be a writer.<br />
<br />
I would be really rich right now, right?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.vedanta.com/">The Vedanta Society</a> (Hollywood Temple) which also offers classes, lectures, meditations and private meetings with their head swami is located at 1946 Vedanta Place, Hollywood, CA 90068. It's open from 6 AM to 7 PM Every Day. Park on Vine for free but always check the signs.<br />
<br />
My favorite <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/arroyo">Whole Foods</a> is at 465 South Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena, CA 91105. Parking underneath the market.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theravenspa.com/silver/">The Raven Spa</a> of Silverlake is located at 2910 Rowena Avenue, Silverlake, CA 90039. 323.644.0240. Street Parking Available. Always feed your meter extra since you want to relax after! They also have a yoga studio you should check out. In addition, they have a <a href="http://www.theravenspa.com/monica/index.php">Raven</a> in Santa Monica (I don't know it that well) as well as <a href="http://www.elleonspa.com/">El Leon</a> in WeHo which I haven't visited for a long time but when I did I absolutely LOVED it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_uOwnShsfmpnaTDpI_1VkgOhdOR7B2wB36h9UTB57Eum17ZBXekjQTQ0FDWdxXANB5WXsgxoC4gjHpa71ch6TXvC1FkigcfmkvGUS819leZlqck4yPxFR6niueLn34vyEINFOcKI37g/s1600/Me+and+Nikom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_uOwnShsfmpnaTDpI_1VkgOhdOR7B2wB36h9UTB57Eum17ZBXekjQTQ0FDWdxXANB5WXsgxoC4gjHpa71ch6TXvC1FkigcfmkvGUS819leZlqck4yPxFR6niueLn34vyEINFOcKI37g/s1600/Me+and+Nikom.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-17782686683895685032014-10-10T21:32:00.003-07:002014-11-20T07:08:42.148-08:00Highland Park's Elsa's Bakery LOVE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEG8CaC268jH3swgApJSeI6Vz992hSOkvV92u-JDisi1A6IClpmdgGtSU73unOjfg1Cxe7LQgr4LZWCXQqovOtt0RBUqc7rwj9RvW-rd6qp6qruX0jX3EetHCta9IPOcfvZmG0mtfIaoE/s1600/Me+and+Eduardo+and+Mario.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ela's Bakery" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEG8CaC268jH3swgApJSeI6Vz992hSOkvV92u-JDisi1A6IClpmdgGtSU73unOjfg1Cxe7LQgr4LZWCXQqovOtt0RBUqc7rwj9RvW-rd6qp6qruX0jX3EetHCta9IPOcfvZmG0mtfIaoE/s1600/Me+and+Eduardo+and+Mario.jpg" height="640" title="Elsa's Bakery " width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
One good thing about moving into a new neighborhood is when you finally find that place that makes you feel at ease, taken care of, maybe even a little bit nurtured.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiAmGcoFMO4qA_kXXMpmeOPXqpbQoUDKba5iFyI-7W6yVKeVEbnCaltXSBTPKtmgsIToZXsHLyYQeC-5LXuCKSN-be7hVpwTna3P64YJyBuZkfNzDg8KcommPwx_ADbkLBJKFXV-MT2A/s1600/Elsa's%2BBakery%2Bin%2BHighland%2BPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Highald Park Art Walk" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiAmGcoFMO4qA_kXXMpmeOPXqpbQoUDKba5iFyI-7W6yVKeVEbnCaltXSBTPKtmgsIToZXsHLyYQeC-5LXuCKSN-be7hVpwTna3P64YJyBuZkfNzDg8KcommPwx_ADbkLBJKFXV-MT2A/s1600/Elsa's%2BBakery%2Bin%2BHighland%2BPark.jpg" height="424" title="Highland Park Art Walk" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Elsa's Bakery during the Highland Park Art Walk</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That place for me is Elsa's Bakery. Elsa's is beyond cheerful; small, intimate, and they remember you. I'm the Norm, they're the Sam and Woody. But they don't tease me. They treat me (and everyone else) like royalty.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMp5u-UYJyBpiydfuSo-bJQBuqoE05i4ojCWyKEKjRHKL7zE3i2jnHqkvWf99vgsycOtpRAt1jHqkzTdoSn1ZB-6METoJNS9_V5vwD0sbASZahT669r595Y3cueoaHFq9ErlJwPdf_I0/s1600/Big+Hairdoos+Images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cafes Images" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMp5u-UYJyBpiydfuSo-bJQBuqoE05i4ojCWyKEKjRHKL7zE3i2jnHqkvWf99vgsycOtpRAt1jHqkzTdoSn1ZB-6METoJNS9_V5vwD0sbASZahT669r595Y3cueoaHFq9ErlJwPdf_I0/s1600/Big+Hairdoos+Images.jpg" height="480" title="Cafe Images" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Inside are tons of classic Mexican baked goods. It's their specialty. They're famous for their sweet bread (not organs) both Vanilla and Chocolate...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgt4DTKLLU_cvWzFzeAsYLDlRLvlP-7w-EcDa7DTzFJykgK00GmkzmCNB71Xybmug4Now8piqeA_pcFZ81DJylr2QrfuwNNx_2yvOVTEP-QELfviSNEpPqTSfpEe8qdFQgWJrzF6vDa0/s1600/Bread+from+Elsa's%2BBakery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pan Dulbc" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgt4DTKLLU_cvWzFzeAsYLDlRLvlP-7w-EcDa7DTzFJykgK00GmkzmCNB71Xybmug4Now8piqeA_pcFZ81DJylr2QrfuwNNx_2yvOVTEP-QELfviSNEpPqTSfpEe8qdFQgWJrzF6vDa0/s1600/Bread+from+Elsa's%2BBakery.jpg" height="640" title="Pan Dulce" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pan Dulce</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Delicious and fresh breakfast pastries...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBQzb1E90Vup9oSiirpKE6tMyWpekP1TfVG3YA37VKmrTTCC-B1jtKXaDMIiQMnqZQ5od6r3BqpQaKb6DgXUgg147urINxw8l3ZpNlyT7Xqv8suAwUGVCE6pCs1hqJuC4Yv6CUWJznH4/s1600/Guava+Pastries,+Elsa's%2BBakery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Guave Pastries" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBQzb1E90Vup9oSiirpKE6tMyWpekP1TfVG3YA37VKmrTTCC-B1jtKXaDMIiQMnqZQ5od6r3BqpQaKb6DgXUgg147urINxw8l3ZpNlyT7Xqv8suAwUGVCE6pCs1hqJuC4Yv6CUWJznH4/s1600/Guava+Pastries,+Elsa's%2BBakery.jpg" height="640" title="Guava Pastries" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
And they have a rockin breakfast. My favorite thus far is the Desayuno Chapin described as a Traditional Guatemalan breakfast: scrambled eggs with tomato and onions, black beans, plaintains, cream and cheese.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAfFZUAURoCaQcz_jp6aoUQ8VLdS5cxIpnRXHlwygE7ot4cdM2iC_ikSTIuEtAD76dccuvU6T-mfdHHE5oYSIL51K1lIxGlojEQ4dxhEnkQ7bKN3hDOd8zf3tQAwZZy4rZviyenUe8m0/s1600/traditional+Guatamalen+Breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Danayon Chapin" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAfFZUAURoCaQcz_jp6aoUQ8VLdS5cxIpnRXHlwygE7ot4cdM2iC_ikSTIuEtAD76dccuvU6T-mfdHHE5oYSIL51K1lIxGlojEQ4dxhEnkQ7bKN3hDOd8zf3tQAwZZy4rZviyenUe8m0/s1600/traditional+Guatamalen+Breakfast.jpg" height="640" title="Desayuno Chapin" width="480" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>My favorite breakfast: the Traditional Guatamalen</i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Everything is fresh, even the tortillas...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMF89GhsOEAdSZBaVm0CoDENRlElnrOfjMKOPxThyKOj3PXMtGqKdFmiRIVK_fp8ukX8jFWpbg4GZcxtTLvCfKJAan814Xtf3kd_aI4enOHNOzr77srQjFkcwPrtczKc3H6FjU48JCkDo/s1600/homemade+corn+tortillas+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Homemade Corn Tomrillas" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMF89GhsOEAdSZBaVm0CoDENRlElnrOfjMKOPxThyKOj3PXMtGqKdFmiRIVK_fp8ukX8jFWpbg4GZcxtTLvCfKJAan814Xtf3kd_aI4enOHNOzr77srQjFkcwPrtczKc3H6FjU48JCkDo/s1600/homemade+corn+tortillas+.jpg" height="640" title="Homemade Corn Tortillas" width="480" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>Handmade Tortillas at Elsa's</i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And they have two for one tacos on Wednesday nights. That's two delicious tacos for $2.50.<br />
<br />
But my absolute favorite thing in the whole wide world - the thing that turned it all around for me was:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9k9plnDzCJ5BFQPyFzwAZstZgXdSIiD6a9ykV7e02aWgvuOMVnNr8zoFUGgTNnPzM7V9U1ui1vl7I9B3j99RQn2gMdM3-8YQVZVvaVwDke_N9T0eCSmPYiylc5lflAESDkVrFKRXSwe4/s1600/Mexican+Wedding+Cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Firda Kahlo" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9k9plnDzCJ5BFQPyFzwAZstZgXdSIiD6a9ykV7e02aWgvuOMVnNr8zoFUGgTNnPzM7V9U1ui1vl7I9B3j99RQn2gMdM3-8YQVZVvaVwDke_N9T0eCSmPYiylc5lflAESDkVrFKRXSwe4/s1600/Mexican+Wedding+Cookies.jpg" height="640" title="Frida Kahlo" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Frida's Mocha with Polborones</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To me, Frida's Mocha is one of the best, calmest coffee drinks ever. And yet it's still strong enough to give you the goose. Spicy, cinnamon-y, perfecto. It was adapted, maybe perfectly, from Frida Kahlo's very own Mocha drink which she had most mornings in her Mexico City home, La Casa Azul, located in Coyoacan. The owners brought the recipe back with them. She might have had it to counterbalance the alcohol and cigs from the night before.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKuGV1RM5-SNDTWqsZsaQPpN_I8BmYz3GWKfXC2pKHTx6RdISIy7ScZPE0AU1z5lCmMkpYRTMfqNgibR4eAtT1yRXN_L3RxVhUhO-YtjBseUBczawrnQXz4goMabPlpxGlyUrxxcylMU/s1600/Frida+Kahlo+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fridas Mocha" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKuGV1RM5-SNDTWqsZsaQPpN_I8BmYz3GWKfXC2pKHTx6RdISIy7ScZPE0AU1z5lCmMkpYRTMfqNgibR4eAtT1yRXN_L3RxVhUhO-YtjBseUBczawrnQXz4goMabPlpxGlyUrxxcylMU/s1600/Frida+Kahlo+Image.jpg" height="426" title="Frida's Mocha" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>That's my girl</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have it because it's delicious. And let's face it, I think of her every time.<br />
<br />
This place is the real deal. In fact they found their chef who's from Puebla, Rosario, who will spend 14 hours making mole so that it's right. Those cookies you saw? Simple, satisfying, not too sweet but man, a hockey puck of goodness, those are Mexican Wedding Cookies and they're FIFTY CENTS A POP. Perfect with a Frida's Mocha.<br />
<br />
If you're going, give me a call. I'm probably already there. In fact I'm here right now, typing this, and am supposed to be somewhere else.<br />
<br />
That's how much I love this place.<br />
<br />
Elsa's Bakery (Pan y Cafe) is at 5102 York Blvd., Highland Park, CA 90042. Tel. is: 323.256.9455. They serve breakfast and Lunch Monday thru Saturday from 7:00am to 2:30pm but most nights they're open 'til 10. Street parking. Always check the meters.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeYUovJQp9LkVt0sI1fs8gOYmiQf9H6g124a4g4Sfx1U4n7fPOXXj4RcIS3dKuAqvsoab2P5IhBlNO6sGv0BtJIWJtEWkhkulyq17RSDU4EpWJ1RoblP8CSwfl_XBPitHeQVGjatghmk/s1600/Day+of+the+Dead+Decorations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day of the Ded" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeYUovJQp9LkVt0sI1fs8gOYmiQf9H6g124a4g4Sfx1U4n7fPOXXj4RcIS3dKuAqvsoab2P5IhBlNO6sGv0BtJIWJtEWkhkulyq17RSDU4EpWJ1RoblP8CSwfl_XBPitHeQVGjatghmk/s1600/Day+of+the+Dead+Decorations.jpg" height="480" title="Day of the Dead" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Enjoy!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-27422872943714933722014-10-04T12:02:00.002-07:002014-10-05T06:30:06.804-07:00Hello from the Writer's Chair<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aENX1Sf3fgQ" width="459"></iframe>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>Dear Opine Reader,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>I'm sorry I've not posted in so long! It's all because of a good thing: I'm working on a special script; something I really love. Always a scary place for a writer to be because it's like the boyfriend who is perfect for you and yes, you're sure he's completely flawed but you don't really know how and you certainly don't want to know how just yet because it's been so long since you've been so in love. Yes he could have bad breath and a barely functional car and yet, every little thing about him is delicious, funny, smart, nice -- every little thing is magic. You think of him constantly. You can't wait to see him again. And yet you still haven't introduced him to your friends. Why? You just want a little bit longer for the perfection to live on. The love feelings. The pink cloud. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>I'm never going to break up with this script, but I have a feeling the honeymoon phase is nearing an end. My script has recently met my friends, they have pointed out his flaws, and now because my script is not a person, it's time to change my script so he's as perfect as he can be. Yes, I can change him.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>And I do live in Hollywood, someone has to pay for the dog food, and my script must eventually, perfect or not, roam free and find his fans. I can't clutch onto him forever, right? </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>It takes a buttload of security to let your script out into the wild like that. Something about my script tells me, I'll be fine no matter what.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>And when that day happens, and it will be soon, I'll be back to the blog; my palette cleanser. The blog allows me to write, be myself, without pay, expectation or the need for approbation. Thus far I've received little to no harsh criticism and while I've never said don't disagree with me or point out an error, it's been kind of nice to write in such an easy, breezy atmosphere. I thought maybe no one's reading it - that's why no criticism. But in fact, close to 22,000 people have visited the blog to date and really, that's very cool. It makes me feel so connected and heard by a large world in a very kind way.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>But most of all I love my blog because really, it's just a forum to share all that I love about LA and encourages me to go out into the world when I don't have a script I'm in love with. When that's the case, I'm seriously inclined not to leave the house, I fall into a depression, any cheese laying around has a very short shelf life. It's my understanding that at these times it could be a temptation for my loved ones to call the authorities. There are no selfies taken.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>So! I promise to get back to this. Many posts are in the hopper: I went to the Art Walk with my dear friend, Max, in Highland Park, The Rose Bowl Flea Market with Max and Terry - a great time albeit ridiculously hot, and I have a special date planned with a certain little Italian Cannoli named Alice (read her <a href="http://www.alicecarbone.com/">blog</a>, it's da'bomb) for my next food piece focusing on Guisados. Oh, and Elsa's Bakery in Highland Park is coming up as well. Oh my God, it is AMAZING. One of my favorite places in the world. As is Mush in Silverlake - a great store and one I can't wait to photograph.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>As for now, I want to write more but I have to get back to this script stuff because I miss him, he me, and I really need to focus on that relationship. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>But like I said, there will be a bursting forth of posts. I do still exist here. And for all of you who keep coming back to look at my other posts, THANK YOU! Especially the visitors from around the world who have gone to the piece(s) about how to find The Hollywood Sign. It makes me so happy to think I may have helped people find what they were looking for. To date, those two How To Find The Hollywood Sign Posts are by far my most popular. Please feel free to share the word that these are the best directions (at least I think they are) to The Hollywood Sign ever.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>Oops, that might encourage some criticism. Oh well!</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>xoxo,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>The Writer in The Chair</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-91228207881847446622014-08-16T11:56:00.001-07:002014-08-16T12:14:20.473-07:00Two Things Worth Doing This Weekend - Ramen and TacosJust a quick how do you do to tell you two fun things going on in case you're looking for a good time. Both having to do with food. Of course.<br />
<br />
First of all, if you like tacos, and if you don't, I don't know you, you might want to check out <a href="http://www.latacofestival.com/">The LA Taco Festival</a> happening today in Boyle Heights.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_qgF8pSMw8EoDjmI0pWgFJzBG0vWw5IdZJcWQbmpOUQiIuVu4x9KNwkZIqm5RC17lxx6l7hCjnP4TQ1ORW8md8FqCTyWycjjlzXTxfbqex_gxFKPewrD8Xi9gpaWK86b777HgYxwyJM/s1600/carne+asada+Boyle+Heights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_qgF8pSMw8EoDjmI0pWgFJzBG0vWw5IdZJcWQbmpOUQiIuVu4x9KNwkZIqm5RC17lxx6l7hCjnP4TQ1ORW8md8FqCTyWycjjlzXTxfbqex_gxFKPewrD8Xi9gpaWK86b777HgYxwyJM/s1600/carne+asada+Boyle+Heights.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
To benefit homeless youth, there'll be mariachi music, art, community outreach and TACOS. That's from 2-8pm, at Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights. It's Cash Only at the door. And you can take the <a href="http://www.latacofestival.com/maps-directions/">Metro</a> to get there.<br />
<br />
Another option - this one happening today and tomorrow in Little Tokyo as a part of Nisei Week is a <a href="http://www.ramenyokochous.com/">Ramen Festival</a>.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7sN35mEl-0Kgv0LFaMLbxH6I1nmu65a4VV6hytsBtRHS2_dZvVSZwZjcY4FP9JtIujacL1T9NfmX8bcosLxrbM0tvKpmwRPmZT3F58vpUH-qH7Nx9OhlCJKD_yCXIiFu3gcfiD27BV0/s1600/Ramen+Festival+Information.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7sN35mEl-0Kgv0LFaMLbxH6I1nmu65a4VV6hytsBtRHS2_dZvVSZwZjcY4FP9JtIujacL1T9NfmX8bcosLxrbM0tvKpmwRPmZT3F58vpUH-qH7Nx9OhlCJKD_yCXIiFu3gcfiD27BV0/s1600/Ramen+Festival+Information.png" height="640" style="cursor: move;" width="508" /></a><br />
Honestly, the last time I ate Ramen I think I was in high school, but earlier this week my cute friend, Heather, called and I never heard her so excited. She not only found out about this festival but learned there'll be a gluten-free Ramen option. I mean don't panic, there'll be a lot of gluten there for "normal" people, but there will be an option for those who can't eat the gluten and yet crave the ramen.<br />
<br />
The idea that if they have so many options they actually have gluten-free Ramen leads me to believe there'll be A LOT of choices. So with an icepack around my neck to keep me cool, I am very willing to eat hot soup on an August day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqIhTsln-cfDJRh_omtDtARhKfxpsbe48fS41W45TvhOwXOlPuSoWxvZdnvwRFbc2pD1sdgIeqc9BTi22vS_xM1M45tj9VB-v-s2p_1iiPg0s8jDZt89jwCvA-bOrp_jseQeiCaM65fg/s1600/ramen+recipes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqIhTsln-cfDJRh_omtDtARhKfxpsbe48fS41W45TvhOwXOlPuSoWxvZdnvwRFbc2pD1sdgIeqc9BTi22vS_xM1M45tj9VB-v-s2p_1iiPg0s8jDZt89jwCvA-bOrp_jseQeiCaM65fg/s1600/ramen+recipes.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
Because that's the kind of friend I am to the Gluten-Challenged.<br />
<br />
Hope to see you there!<br />
<br />
The 4th Annual <a href="http://www.latacofestival.com/">LA Taco Festival</a> is happening today from 2-8pm. All You Can Eat passes are sold out but you can still buy (as long as supplies last) tix as follows: $4.00 will get you 1 taco, $10.00 will get you 3, and for $20.00 you get your 8 tacos. It's Cash Only at the Door. Click <a href="http://www.latacofestival.com/maps-directions/">HERE</a> for more information on Metro & Parking.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ramenyokochous.com/#!ramen-matsuri-down-town-la/c4q8">The Ramen Yokocho Fest</a> is happening today from 11-11 and Sunday from 11 to 9. There'll be 9 Ramen shops, count 'em, 9, dishing out ramen from all over (Sacramento to Las Vegas to Japan), DJ's, contests, including a gyoza eating contest (yum). It's taking place at 160 North Central Ave., in Downtown LA. If you're driving, try parking at 101 Judge John Aiso Street, LA, CA 90012. If you're going by Metro it's just a 3 minute walk from the Little Tokyo District Arts Station on The Gold Line. The Admission Price is $5 and the price for a bowl of Ramen is $8, flat. Children 6 and under go in free.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Enjoy! (how can you not?)<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-62324972002899109132014-08-12T15:00:00.001-07:002014-10-06T06:07:03.995-07:00Weekend Getaway - San Clemente<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oKbOmOceaQ32d1xrka2xxJprX65Fxg9Iin-Kf_WTsA2wJKDyzflkMyQAh5uDZhKXh9D-j4S3aZN5xnutx5_92P1dCR7L1nmAtXkY7oEuLzuXz2u71zYQy5HW5CZDRaOv_vQIbYM-a7k/s1600/The+surfers+of+San+Onofre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oKbOmOceaQ32d1xrka2xxJprX65Fxg9Iin-Kf_WTsA2wJKDyzflkMyQAh5uDZhKXh9D-j4S3aZN5xnutx5_92P1dCR7L1nmAtXkY7oEuLzuXz2u71zYQy5HW5CZDRaOv_vQIbYM-a7k/s1600/The+surfers+of+San+Onofre.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><br />
"People love the beautiful things." This from the founder of San Clemente, Ole Hanson. You heard me, Ole Hanson. I just love that name so much. You can't help but put on an old-timey voice on if you go to the San Clemente Ralphs because Ole Hanson first used it as a stable and then he opened up that same location as The Hotel For Sick People (aka a hospital). Now it's...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaDj0fZxor7pTMdLYABCJ6b9ICHS5QHIPNxMeaV6rpKaVhb2IwAZTtIwxNT2Rn1P_h_MqWcvTy_pZSDaYJnCEeVtZ65Wybyepyu7n6lqJgoaZYsNh7OFx7T-uZMsyurLHqqf0oODNNd4/s1600/Ralphs+in+San+Clemente.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaDj0fZxor7pTMdLYABCJ6b9ICHS5QHIPNxMeaV6rpKaVhb2IwAZTtIwxNT2Rn1P_h_MqWcvTy_pZSDaYJnCEeVtZ65Wybyepyu7n6lqJgoaZYsNh7OFx7T-uZMsyurLHqqf0oODNNd4/s1600/Ralphs+in+San+Clemente.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The San Clemente Ralphs, once The Hotel For Sick People</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Ole Hanson started the town of San Clemente in the 20's. It was to be a Spanish City by the Sea. And it is. It's far enough from both nearby cities (San Diego and Los Angeles) to feel you've gotten away. And dude, I needed to get away. </div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4alJ8rkx84vQxnOBAqfZQElEqU5yGhoNdrY8t2iuB22iHnBV-b0q4r14GFqc-6F6z4zFsj3zh2do6hRwol_lsNYRaeu-T7-2Lm_fbi8qOZOCnyNKWLOh23T2lgfvl1Mm2HqCq93HM80/s1600/cynthia+greenburg+opine+la.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4alJ8rkx84vQxnOBAqfZQElEqU5yGhoNdrY8t2iuB22iHnBV-b0q4r14GFqc-6F6z4zFsj3zh2do6hRwol_lsNYRaeu-T7-2Lm_fbi8qOZOCnyNKWLOh23T2lgfvl1Mm2HqCq93HM80/s1600/cynthia+greenburg+opine+la.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Me Feeling the Rut of Home</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Of course I love living in LA. I absolutely do. But if you don't go away once in awhile you have NO perspective on where you live. Someone important said that. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Me.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmBd6tk9eq2CChjnyPTnauwKEdBs4KwZPgx5hI2gxOoxlLM74S-zTlDsAVrbpMDC6evwH9sYJJWsshvYjT8urcyLyTW8tJmDLeprLWRGHfgYlTXVWl18PayWg-U52r8k3qX6U5uTpGO8/s1600/Me+Happy+on+Vacation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmBd6tk9eq2CChjnyPTnauwKEdBs4KwZPgx5hI2gxOoxlLM74S-zTlDsAVrbpMDC6evwH9sYJJWsshvYjT8urcyLyTW8tJmDLeprLWRGHfgYlTXVWl18PayWg-U52r8k3qX6U5uTpGO8/s1600/Me+Happy+on+Vacation.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Me on Vacation is a Happy Me</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
San Clemente is really known as a surfer town and home to Camp Pendleton Marine Base. My friend Max's, Dad, was based here in the 60's where he learned to surf before being shipped off to Vietnam. He got his board from Hobie who had one of the first surfboard shops in the country right in Dana Point, which is the town just above San Clemente.</div>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxlNnYbUA8PTwhyphenhyphen8dMDkOeyy18eNME24meo14wLZWd4vkNh6yMOl3ac72h7vaO-0_ad-LDCvnWNTCKtigfvQ8v5T7ao_fWJ2sO4zYw8mokpPecKhz0POLbzoOwGrRiWnx6YX_Xny3DPk/s1600/old+timey+car+San+Onofre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxlNnYbUA8PTwhyphenhyphen8dMDkOeyy18eNME24meo14wLZWd4vkNh6yMOl3ac72h7vaO-0_ad-LDCvnWNTCKtigfvQ8v5T7ao_fWJ2sO4zYw8mokpPecKhz0POLbzoOwGrRiWnx6YX_Xny3DPk/s1600/old+timey+car+San+Onofre.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Surfing Family waiting to park at San Onofre</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
My husband likes to surf and I like to sit on the beach and do nothing so this seemed like a good place for us to go. And he already knew San Clemente. It's the town right above San Onofre where all good surfers (he is one) make a pilgrimage.</div>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaD_XAc7rXOqDl_vl_n_KpBApieM4DkDCY1yhm3kXHC7fdx2KP8_yxqnzdtxncXTOoLJKlGXoGVXtAm6AzJ3tYE4Onh6a7HlQchPjVcr-nt5Qb6mHE0gNsNDOlIs36rWVUWhN1VixMVwY/s1600/San+Onofre+Surf+Town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaD_XAc7rXOqDl_vl_n_KpBApieM4DkDCY1yhm3kXHC7fdx2KP8_yxqnzdtxncXTOoLJKlGXoGVXtAm6AzJ3tYE4Onh6a7HlQchPjVcr-nt5Qb6mHE0gNsNDOlIs36rWVUWhN1VixMVwY/s1600/San+Onofre+Surf+Town.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Surfers at San Onofre</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
But the waves were rather flat the weekend we were there so we didn't really partake too much.</div>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNitPWunNPXqUEx8OxgqWpBkaX5Wed7AfVdugN5mHOGaaE6NIDhnm8fIV-gQGt8WUSXsvrpmtJqPL0mvOkJOd2HsW3wFt9tlqdfcxL3_bsZQ8tDXzASfd-TYVZDx8Klh-uJ7pKxFMPrS8/s1600/Terry+making+a+sand+castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNitPWunNPXqUEx8OxgqWpBkaX5Wed7AfVdugN5mHOGaaE6NIDhnm8fIV-gQGt8WUSXsvrpmtJqPL0mvOkJOd2HsW3wFt9tlqdfcxL3_bsZQ8tDXzASfd-TYVZDx8Klh-uJ7pKxFMPrS8/s1600/Terry+making+a+sand+castle.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Terry making a Dribble Castle</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
We did though swim in the water. It called to us. San Clemente has one of the nicest, most mellow and fun beaches in SoCal. I had no idea of course. And it's not hard to park there. I fear parking at beaches like nobody's business. It just sounds hard ALWAYS. Of course if you go to San Clemente and want to be very close then you should bring tons of quarters: it's 10 minutes per quarter. We on the other hand found a sweet parking place TWO DAYS IN A ROW right on the street. Parked for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">FREE</span> whu-what? Two days in a row? Yep. Also the beach bathroom is clean (this from a girl who HATES HATES HATES public bathrooms) and the water is niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Frankly, it really doesn't take much to make me happy. That's another way of saying money's tight. So why then, might you ask, would I choose a beach town at high season? Because I like to research and find the least expensive way to be happy. Presenting...</div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j9MAKYwHLWZT9yct2DPDaBCFuY2fZO6UaqtbffMd-iz-wKdfuaDtu63N-QyobCo3vXJXNDpbitNenM0XZZPqUGCVGFOJk2Bhr0aGKxljSoNIXsg3NMCu62wrDY77BxwcUSfvB14DlAY/s1600/Hotel+Picture+in+San+Clemente.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j9MAKYwHLWZT9yct2DPDaBCFuY2fZO6UaqtbffMd-iz-wKdfuaDtu63N-QyobCo3vXJXNDpbitNenM0XZZPqUGCVGFOJk2Bhr0aGKxljSoNIXsg3NMCu62wrDY77BxwcUSfvB14DlAY/s1600/Hotel+Picture+in+San+Clemente.jpg" height="480" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><i>Happy: The Patriots' Boutique Motel</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I did not take that picture. I found it on the internet. But you get the idea. <a href="http://www.thepatriotsmotel.com/">The Patriots' Boutique Motel</a> is a pretty plain place. In fact my husband thought they should go to a Hotel/Motel Art Fair and buy some more pictures. But in reality, neither of us could care less. The most important thing - and I mean like ESSENTIAL - was the bed was comfortable. And I mean it was outrageously comfortable. Like we didn't want to leave this super plain room because we loved the plain bed so damn much. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8DlHoq-sTZN1JSaMjRosThJHgq-M28VhHJaPlE9dM1R-f2xD3-W7inkKJ0mHVOtBSy5lCR0KHwn1z8-LdqkcbydH5-dSb9CEQIMrPi0OYpqaeot502iR3FmWez3z0UDfUcJnXeBl2zw/s1600/Our+room+in+San+Clemente.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8DlHoq-sTZN1JSaMjRosThJHgq-M28VhHJaPlE9dM1R-f2xD3-W7inkKJ0mHVOtBSy5lCR0KHwn1z8-LdqkcbydH5-dSb9CEQIMrPi0OYpqaeot502iR3FmWez3z0UDfUcJnXeBl2zw/s1600/Our+room+in+San+Clemente.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Who needs art?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
All I need are some tasty waves, a television set and a comfortable bed and I'm fine. (also the room was super clean and $150.00 per night which <u>included</u> tax and whatever other fees there were. The price was right).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDIhnijvMPauV_Ru4Yvz5zLcWyRZ08GAskJVpH8LN51iUd8PSw0JTWNVdQ2HGGye2Oks94KK-HOuUcNGs_adbHDamTZS664ytWBDkHKKB6qVnFqAyeRxYh2NSS27DbeHqdo18GqRkE2U/s1600/Inexpensive+Places+to+Stay+in+San+Clemente.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDIhnijvMPauV_Ru4Yvz5zLcWyRZ08GAskJVpH8LN51iUd8PSw0JTWNVdQ2HGGye2Oks94KK-HOuUcNGs_adbHDamTZS664ytWBDkHKKB6qVnFqAyeRxYh2NSS27DbeHqdo18GqRkE2U/s1600/Inexpensive+Places+to+Stay+in+San+Clemente.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
As for the town itself, there are two main strips: El Camino Real and Avenida Del Mar. I'm not going to lie, it's okay. It's a mixture of Radio Shacks and Subways with cute boutique stores, restaurants and surf shops. Stand-outs include <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shopreclamation">Reclamation</a>, a lovely and beautiful shop that showcases reclaimed wood and bottles used to make one-of-a-kind furnishings and art, one very delicious <a href="http://www.oliversevoo.com/">olive oil store</a>, a store about mermaids, the famed Ralphs, and a sex shop, <a href="http://www.conrev.com/">ConRev</a>, smack dab in the middle of El Camino Real. The girls that work there are really friendly and look you straight in the eye; they don't want you to feel shy. So don't go there if you think you can disappear. You can't.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
As for the food, hmmm. Listen, this isn't the foodie capital of the world. San Clemente is a pretty straight-foward place. That being said, here are some highlights:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://banzaibowls.com/">The Original Banzai Bowl</a> located right on El Camino Real is a fruit, smoothie, juice place and also a hang-out for teens. I loved the interior. And concluded it's a good place to drop in if you want something refreshing:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B389Fhtm7XfxyRz8sYOCdoillW48EMHSx9DPdsVu4cJM96yjbI8g3oabB3th4Bwhw3EVwHXWEDJHqvcBaVzSgQau6-IZLwBna2dZm3Gv6NGtlKSAbzcc6mMVAijZDIrZxjWob8SoNaA/s1600/Banzai+Bowl+in+San+Clemente.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B389Fhtm7XfxyRz8sYOCdoillW48EMHSx9DPdsVu4cJM96yjbI8g3oabB3th4Bwhw3EVwHXWEDJHqvcBaVzSgQau6-IZLwBna2dZm3Gv6NGtlKSAbzcc6mMVAijZDIrZxjWob8SoNaA/s1600/Banzai+Bowl+in+San+Clemente.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
For breakfast: My favorite place was <a href="http://zebrahousecoffee.com/">Zebra's</a> at 1001 South El Camino Real - which also was like a five minute walk from the motel. You walk to the left, past The Bagel Shack (which looked good and thatched), the famous Ralphs Hospital, and then you hit Zebra's. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0R2Ct83u4fpj2Tfud0gYvoMyhh0X0pTuDqlmPowyL9UZfuqKfQg77tySM33paSFqdSx3-6QU3WmoRSRrItmV_1JeirtSsEPp-Q-BjlwWOuNLHfj-Pk5V8kdpdAmNbaIQVH-mwYdMzKQU/s1600/Crazy+beards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0R2Ct83u4fpj2Tfud0gYvoMyhh0X0pTuDqlmPowyL9UZfuqKfQg77tySM33paSFqdSx3-6QU3WmoRSRrItmV_1JeirtSsEPp-Q-BjlwWOuNLHfj-Pk5V8kdpdAmNbaIQVH-mwYdMzKQU/s1600/Crazy+beards.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The guy who owns it has the best beard I've ever seen in my life. The girl who works the counter has one side of her hair in blue WHICH matches her blue vintage car. The muffins are fresh-baked every morning with fresh fruit in them. Delicious! And their coffee hit the spot. You can trust that I know a decent cup of joe. I'm a major coffee snob, there are a million references about this on this blog, so if I say the coffee is good, it's an end-of-discussion moment. Also they play Bread and Three Dog Night and America and you gotta love a place that plays soft hits from the 70's.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xnyh6i9NvmE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The other stand-out for coffee was in Dana Point, just north of San Clemente. I have no pictures or cutesie stories about <a href="http://www.jcbeans.com/">JC Beans</a> but again, the coffee was tasty, it was a fast drive from our hotel, and I forgot my wallet and the girl told me that it was okay. No Problem. <i>Just pay me next time</i>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I like beach people.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Lunch? I don't got nothin to say about that but for dinner, if you're smart, you will not listen to the locals and you'll listen to me. Avenida Del Mar is where all the main restaurants are. And nail shops (yep, we got a pedi at one of the two Minghee's)... </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSHfqOrW2s80pHw-xeMXiibkyLwi_3S_1AOiIo24fdUAQOG0wZDGYbCfbVKJyA6NlfDGGe_pyW7Auy2dtSDZWWgU1XxP_Neb7bW7N5_Zsp6qRo4Rrm0SdoWNZK2tSowW1U6zwJ74BYZg/s1600/Pedi+in+San+Clemente.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSHfqOrW2s80pHw-xeMXiibkyLwi_3S_1AOiIo24fdUAQOG0wZDGYbCfbVKJyA6NlfDGGe_pyW7Auy2dtSDZWWgU1XxP_Neb7bW7N5_Zsp6qRo4Rrm0SdoWNZK2tSowW1U6zwJ74BYZg/s1600/Pedi+in+San+Clemente.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Terry's first pedi</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
But back to food. Everyone recommended we go to this one place that shall remain nameless. Here is the place that I want you to try: <a href="http://www.villagemedrim.com/index.html">Village Mediterranean Rim</a>. It's a Moroccan-y, meaty, Mediterranean-y place with so many choices for Tagines it's unbelievable. (Tagines are slow-cooked meat & veggie stews though I think at Village Med in addition to their meat one-pots there is also a straight-up veggie option). The food is fresh and delicious, stew-y and comforting. Though not all of it is tagined - they also offer entrees like Chermoula Encrusted Salmon ($27) and Braised Leg of Elk ($25). It's romantic, open-air, the service is a little slower than you'd like but you're on vacation so who cares? The owner was born in Damascus, trained in Italy and spent time in Morocco. <u>And</u> Brentwood where he had a successful bunch of restaurants. Now he's here, has been for awhile. He likes all of the freshest ingredients, has good taste and a good eye -- in other words, the ambiance is lovely. So for a romantic, delicious dinner, this is a safe bet. And for what it's worth I highly highly highly recommend the Lamb Meatloaf Tagine served with cous cous. Yumtastic. Tender, tasty, filling, original.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
That being said, I cannot lie. My favorite meal was a Noosa Raspberry Yogurt mixed with some salty almonds that I got at Ralph's.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwfO6IA_x7LqOjvxMav86gh4lIDmO4tku_ocpRDtW9NKuuWO3fBaBvqYBJS6c5Z4HLzgTXAOqqYaSVMP0e3nKR6t41CDGCcmb9uhn3l5_fmruOlU56guc8JR7SbuhqaVl1HzvFZnnljY/s1600/The+Ralphs+Plaque+in+San+Clemente.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwfO6IA_x7LqOjvxMav86gh4lIDmO4tku_ocpRDtW9NKuuWO3fBaBvqYBJS6c5Z4HLzgTXAOqqYaSVMP0e3nKR6t41CDGCcmb9uhn3l5_fmruOlU56guc8JR7SbuhqaVl1HzvFZnnljY/s1600/The+Ralphs+Plaque+in+San+Clemente.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Because you don't really come here to eat. At least that's how I now see it. Truthfully, before we went I'm not sure what I expected or wanted out of our weekend away but what I got was one of my favorite visits to a beach in a long-ass time.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3N68QfYJ3-wETFlc0aPrjpx5UmDhR_BdeJxboEaCFrc7vBqfN8Dpa8482akvBCryQ8MY3OIPYuBxKYHGb5PESkb6YX2VeQLpDPRJKif4IrTzlSp2PAmpSi88s6icENX3MUNOZ8blLP8/s1600/Best+Beaches+in+Southern+California.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3N68QfYJ3-wETFlc0aPrjpx5UmDhR_BdeJxboEaCFrc7vBqfN8Dpa8482akvBCryQ8MY3OIPYuBxKYHGb5PESkb6YX2VeQLpDPRJKif4IrTzlSp2PAmpSi88s6icENX3MUNOZ8blLP8/s1600/Best+Beaches+in+Southern+California.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This girl was so excited to be buried in sand. I swear, she was the most adorable thing on the planet</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Nothing much beats zinc'ing up your body with sun block (might I recommend <a href="http://trustthebum.com/us/">Sun Bum Zinc Oxide 50</a> which we picked up at Hobie's on Camino Real and it was perfect) and chilling out on the sand with a fantastic book. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHJpbCkHCzwUuMaJIW6gRr_sxibyEm1B7zIN6zDj1km9SpI0G9iDTmfFmchDw7ikejvbUGk6-d3E9bjQN3Ncot4FjyYT-FmFIb8PNSDrb6q0UW6vLrACy2Gx3_-RoPSTItD3QLtwMddk/s1600/Jojo+Moyes+One+Plus+One.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHJpbCkHCzwUuMaJIW6gRr_sxibyEm1B7zIN6zDj1km9SpI0G9iDTmfFmchDw7ikejvbUGk6-d3E9bjQN3Ncot4FjyYT-FmFIb8PNSDrb6q0UW6vLrACy2Gx3_-RoPSTItD3QLtwMddk/s1600/Jojo+Moyes+One+Plus+One.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This book is so good - addictive.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
There were families everywhere, couples frolicking in the waves (yep, including us), kids on boogie boards, adults on boogie boards, surfers, sunbathers, joggers - it was like that scene from "Jaws" minus the shark business.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
What a grand way to get out of town and less than two hours away (even less if you download Waze). So worth the drive. And so worth downloading Waze! If you haven't done so, chop chop!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHQMfIXqnx8SfKWe3CBZLzrMeGRO07wCnySz5H3gjb-KWtuMCSRZ3JOwpMhhtA6eu6yLV_0Sb9BEtLvl5lV_8GiLtQJZMBknr0Cr11YMEuuzF_FOXBtkNC9JY3ChBhB1OgZ1N5sPwsgc/s1600/The+water+in+San+Clemente.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHQMfIXqnx8SfKWe3CBZLzrMeGRO07wCnySz5H3gjb-KWtuMCSRZ3JOwpMhhtA6eu6yLV_0Sb9BEtLvl5lV_8GiLtQJZMBknr0Cr11YMEuuzF_FOXBtkNC9JY3ChBhB1OgZ1N5sPwsgc/s1600/The+water+in+San+Clemente.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pedi + Beach = Happy</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Directions: While it's just over 60 miles south of LA, San Clemente can easily inch into a mega slow drive. Normally you'd take the 5 from LA there and back. That being said, check out <a href="https://www.waze.com/download/">Waze</a>. We did so much circuitous stuff I couldn't possibly repeat it but all I know is we loved how fast our route was. On a Friday, when we left at 3pm we got there at 5. That's pretty amazing considering that should've been the worst traffic on the planet. Do though be careful. If you go the weird Waze way you may end up on Tollroads. Those fees have to be paid relatively quickly. To find out how paying for The TollRoads works, click <a href="https://www.thetollroads.com/customerservice/learn-more.php">HERE</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ralphs is at 903 South El Camino Real</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.hobiesurfshop.com/Our-Stores.html">Hobie's</a> Surf Shop in San Clemente for Men is 100 South El Camino Real and for Women is at 151 Avenida Del Mar.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Info for The Beach at <a href="http://www.sanonofreparksfoundation.org/site/park-info/san-onofre-state-beach">San Onofre</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Info for The Beach at <a href="http://www.sanonofreparksfoundation.org/site/park-info/san-clemente-state-beach">San Clemente</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The <a href="http://www.thepatriotsmotel.com/">Patriots' Boutique Motel</a> is located within walking distance of the beach (and the owner even offered to drive us there. <i>LOVE</i> beach people!). Right now a Double during weekdays goes for $109, on the weekends it goes for $139 (not including tax and fees). Obviously this is subject to change. Book through their website for the best deal. They welcome dogs! 711 South El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672. 949-218-6348.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://shopreclamation.com/">Reclamation</a> is at 105 Avenida Del Mar. 949-545-6400. They offer shipping.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The <a href="http://www.oliversevoo.com/">Olive Oil Store</a> is actually called Oliver's Olive Oil. It's at 211 Avenida Del Mar. They offer shipping.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/conrev-san-clemente">ConRev</a> is at 401 South El Camino Real. It's right next to a Subway. I didn't see this location listed on their website so I included the link to their Yelp page.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://plus.google.com/110608351816526091410/about?gl=us&hl=en">Minghee's</a> is at 132 Avenida Del Mar. Walk In's welcome.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://banzaibowls.com/">The Original Banzai Bowl</a> is at 120 South El Camino Real. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://zebrahousecoffee.com/contact/">Zebra House Coffee</a> is at 1001 South El Camino Real.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.jcbeans.com/">JC Beans</a> is at 34114 Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.villagemedrim.com/index.html">Village Mediterranean Rim</a> is located at 123 Avenida del Mar. They do take reservations. 949-361-8970. Casual but nice attire.</div>
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSXnoTZPQMHsM8916Ye4xyZIjAed2am54_Hvh55dGvqmaERU2qGydKVlEJhHj4FIalIIIHP3dB4rQZ53mNEEpqyxhSH8_YxWxCHyPY5SJovWif0oSLam79MkS2FV8lZyriV7S9kIlu9Q/s1600/Republik+of+Kalifornia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSXnoTZPQMHsM8916Ye4xyZIjAed2am54_Hvh55dGvqmaERU2qGydKVlEJhHj4FIalIIIHP3dB4rQZ53mNEEpqyxhSH8_YxWxCHyPY5SJovWif0oSLam79MkS2FV8lZyriV7S9kIlu9Q/s1600/Republik+of+Kalifornia.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-21407618130379674042014-08-01T11:42:00.000-07:002015-02-18T13:06:41.468-08:00Two Things Worth Doing This Weekend: The Motherf*&ker With The Hat and The Norton Simon Museum<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3IHUfDzvN2LX0S4O79Aud-K7mUiPsLAN5faidM_rpMeDchCMJgatHuZ5BlsrA49xDFShnVAIma5n3RGCIh4PjlYjd9qsVA0vjvspdOaSHgoT87CCHHRQ4B1Ku-QToCjbYIUQkf1CYL8/s1600/John+The+Baptist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3IHUfDzvN2LX0S4O79Aud-K7mUiPsLAN5faidM_rpMeDchCMJgatHuZ5BlsrA49xDFShnVAIma5n3RGCIh4PjlYjd9qsVA0vjvspdOaSHgoT87CCHHRQ4B1Ku-QToCjbYIUQkf1CYL8/s1600/John+The+Baptist.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Man, you get invited to see theater all the time in LA. ALL THE TIME. But it's not often you see GOOD theater. That all changed for me last night. I had THE BEST TIME! I went to The Lost Studio on La Brea where I saw <a href="http://www.mfwiththehat.com/#1">"The Motherfucker With The Hat."</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilS3r1kMURUsJDGEghL9YmitaYNFBQ5K4GWjp0X9GkB9n-nSvnF0k05_L6wJeFYmFISCK9nomSXKJKdIii87tt-BkwI3-6qBs3-pSS6LfNFaxFKOAYODlFqrOXDdGo2meaGi9VgBl90K4/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilS3r1kMURUsJDGEghL9YmitaYNFBQ5K4GWjp0X9GkB9n-nSvnF0k05_L6wJeFYmFISCK9nomSXKJKdIii87tt-BkwI3-6qBs3-pSS6LfNFaxFKOAYODlFqrOXDdGo2meaGi9VgBl90K4/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="416" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>Trust me and see this play. Pictured: Shaun Duke, Alex Desert and Chris Amitrano</i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I went because my buddy, Alex Desert, was in it but had no idea how amazing it is! I know how amazing Alex is but the play - the other actors - everyone involved... fun, funny, smart, moving, suspenseful, deep. </span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIjaKDJFI30FaL0yaV4l5j50MlnqjOFnijufr4r4C_p7hF0iOUl3SuZ25FjD6YPWJlUhBSSPC3MSWqEPb1YhuojyEaJ3R8a-OJGx8meLjTb-dtdmZf57dOPH5SDGosUTscJunYscliyU/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIjaKDJFI30FaL0yaV4l5j50MlnqjOFnijufr4r4C_p7hF0iOUl3SuZ25FjD6YPWJlUhBSSPC3MSWqEPb1YhuojyEaJ3R8a-OJGx8meLjTb-dtdmZf57dOPH5SDGosUTscJunYscliyU/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="512" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Christopher Amitrano and also one of the play's producers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Motherfucker With The Hat originally premiered on Broadway in 2011 with Bobby Carnavale and Chris Rock. Written by Stephen Adly Guirgis, it was nominated for 6 Tonys, including Best Play. The LA version has an incredible cast of people that might not have the same name recognition of Bobby Carnavale and Chris Rock but they should: Chris Amitrano, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melissa Pino, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Shaun Duke, Keili Lefkowitz and my bud, Alex Desert as Cousin Julio. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The play's running through August 10th and if you go through Brown Paper Tickets, it's 20 bucks. 25 at the door. Click <a href="http://www.mfwiththehat.com/tickets">HERE</a> for deets.</span></span></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But before I went to the play, I was doing a full out cultural day and spent a few hours at <a href="http://www.nortonsimon.org/">The Norton Simon Museum</a>. It is BREATHTAKING. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK9q9l8U32icDj1qwgubQXCjd1YUTnt9xjF3iF6o8dmzwOowE8xj7PGCjwStTAPSge5W7X1fjvq8EDkYfOSOndjZJMxcRS_q1VRlAitFnvSOw-pldoXAgnsWJwsyM8TGZBD1Po6wvzes/s1600/sculpture+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK9q9l8U32icDj1qwgubQXCjd1YUTnt9xjF3iF6o8dmzwOowE8xj7PGCjwStTAPSge5W7X1fjvq8EDkYfOSOndjZJMxcRS_q1VRlAitFnvSOw-pldoXAgnsWJwsyM8TGZBD1Po6wvzes/s1600/sculpture+garden.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A true treasure. Located in Pasadena just off the 134, it's outrageously easy to get to, the parking is FREE, and tonight, from 5-8 pm it is FREE to the public. They do that the first Friday of the month. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Currently on display they have a huge Himalayan Buddhist Art exhibit amongst a vast array of Southeastern Asian art which is incredibly moving:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXcF5JfLufzB2pTw13rQ7_es-spw2vz24b2APzkz4iahVmePChHGUQ-zzs_uPPUIWHNTR8Xhb3dcQlItgw9CW737XdGTaNDrcSqOMY5XEiVcxoACuM5BAABH1nneSunnnMa6Lm4p5EFw/s1600/Shiva+Dancing+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXcF5JfLufzB2pTw13rQ7_es-spw2vz24b2APzkz4iahVmePChHGUQ-zzs_uPPUIWHNTR8Xhb3dcQlItgw9CW737XdGTaNDrcSqOMY5XEiVcxoACuM5BAABH1nneSunnnMa6Lm4p5EFw/s1600/Shiva+Dancing+.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downstairs at The Norton Simon Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gc7qarXtg0W2eX2kfNofo170QVsPMB-lbhphSrdbWCV19vuKusBX239OYVb77w0D8IRtbS23q7khL6SqKbrXI-sDjXvDxAp3QmwX8vQtHTS9flJ8OBX8nGmg5jvGKfeDduBejvEhl4M/s1600/Statue+of+Lion+Profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gc7qarXtg0W2eX2kfNofo170QVsPMB-lbhphSrdbWCV19vuKusBX239OYVb77w0D8IRtbS23q7khL6SqKbrXI-sDjXvDxAp3QmwX8vQtHTS9flJ8OBX8nGmg5jvGKfeDduBejvEhl4M/s1600/Statue+of+Lion+Profile.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtTvUKZKnPBmIm-Ou-xOdSy3rO9FEnVRuQjA299hh1X1t-j6SCIHgNg5VGRMbVkfKdxzIzGpWAO5DmTiUjVzFhmaqTCiLKpbtLM1miLqOKa0TSgsIJ0DN_tJCvGzSyAquWVUpnJRNUKc/s1600/Sidhdhartha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtTvUKZKnPBmIm-Ou-xOdSy3rO9FEnVRuQjA299hh1X1t-j6SCIHgNg5VGRMbVkfKdxzIzGpWAO5DmTiUjVzFhmaqTCiLKpbtLM1miLqOKa0TSgsIJ0DN_tJCvGzSyAquWVUpnJRNUKc/s1600/Sidhdhartha.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...but always there is a tremendous collection. Rodin's...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUri9XSbcjymyzQ72eH9gtHFqrwP3P_9LiZLYg2trPVWnLmzWG_KH6NXFEGLV9XGjxjb75WN6q13U5RhteVkla-h1BrIiamx979d0kiVaUpHrrkNIdQszVovi-A8e9gZHfRzmfHuDu8RM/s1600/Rodin's+Monument+to+Balzac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUri9XSbcjymyzQ72eH9gtHFqrwP3P_9LiZLYg2trPVWnLmzWG_KH6NXFEGLV9XGjxjb75WN6q13U5RhteVkla-h1BrIiamx979d0kiVaUpHrrkNIdQszVovi-A8e9gZHfRzmfHuDu8RM/s1600/Rodin's+Monument+to+Balzac.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Balzac</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJ3eCXxRo9tzT_nDl3n362jfiY59N0hPt0MwL1yoaTTPxcZr-nqtZP_eZp0-RnU53MP4oMx59Cgkb9OwjJovbQbA4NZNGOZGG9MEpXMtRbUG3YkkUNaIKl__dxOWUrH9rSMhxoIdPQRM/s1600/Rodin's+Walking+Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJ3eCXxRo9tzT_nDl3n362jfiY59N0hPt0MwL1yoaTTPxcZr-nqtZP_eZp0-RnU53MP4oMx59Cgkb9OwjJovbQbA4NZNGOZGG9MEpXMtRbUG3YkkUNaIKl__dxOWUrH9rSMhxoIdPQRM/s1600/Rodin's+Walking+Man.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rodin's The Walking Man</i> <i>in front of the museum</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Picasso's, Rembrandt's, Degas'...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlU7R2xa-v7LUDiqHL9uhHYthM0w6aZu6za-RhiQLp0IW8Y4v61R9pU-SoFzgdXRBdlH5XYVZhTF6uym52X3FAAE-GudmqK-EaQhqdEBAP90E1QQUCSHMjDAbWeZNtkqVzxbYFCcRSiXY/s1600/Degas+Dancer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlU7R2xa-v7LUDiqHL9uhHYthM0w6aZu6za-RhiQLp0IW8Y4v61R9pU-SoFzgdXRBdlH5XYVZhTF6uym52X3FAAE-GudmqK-EaQhqdEBAP90E1QQUCSHMjDAbWeZNtkqVzxbYFCcRSiXY/s1600/Degas+Dancer.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmHgKMbHOKknvpRec3PatvLUcj_y8H_kfZUWnfqau79kBQS-iAcMZrWCuN9xJ8Xqcx4xO3ozj7bvz5cPsr702E_cAMbFy-46kRJZsLI3eAU9Y5b6tq3G82ouB-7talTyNCwS90Aw4Oa4/s1600/Degas+Bathers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmHgKMbHOKknvpRec3PatvLUcj_y8H_kfZUWnfqau79kBQS-iAcMZrWCuN9xJ8Xqcx4xO3ozj7bvz5cPsr702E_cAMbFy-46kRJZsLI3eAU9Y5b6tq3G82ouB-7talTyNCwS90Aw4Oa4/s1600/Degas+Bathers.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpT8tbxUYtp5h_8Wc4PvQlOmF7_jiMb77MjBsqpxG-Mz2JKETxyKGOV5idVpvScCEKNQ4_Ij-yE8DduGLGupbY8FY1_WD8cpcBw_v9cPNmJV3sImBrRz8k76mgQaX1UK1FrCU1fA1S1E/s1600/Degas+Nude+Girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpT8tbxUYtp5h_8Wc4PvQlOmF7_jiMb77MjBsqpxG-Mz2JKETxyKGOV5idVpvScCEKNQ4_Ij-yE8DduGLGupbY8FY1_WD8cpcBw_v9cPNmJV3sImBrRz8k76mgQaX1UK1FrCU1fA1S1E/s1600/Degas+Nude+Girls.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Matisse's...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwkT-1cEHcrGFpvpd4wv_EQpi0LCmaTlFy3TlLoH1Fwn5uLzaIlCU_9_l3a_Ejr13Nc-Xhskvt90J60dfDcocSCYNxg5wvnblfoVQSIFS2hjAhbURPCK9cw9C6Eg5FpOhp5Qek8mRvAk/s1600/Matisse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwkT-1cEHcrGFpvpd4wv_EQpi0LCmaTlFy3TlLoH1Fwn5uLzaIlCU_9_l3a_Ejr13Nc-Xhskvt90J60dfDcocSCYNxg5wvnblfoVQSIFS2hjAhbURPCK9cw9C6Eg5FpOhp5Qek8mRvAk/s1600/Matisse.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Giacometti...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6e8_JRkGmxaif933b6D5BLomlpk6LGbi0gA6pciE9-Zhn_TlHYtQwaTMkMGfu0eF3n5S7LGP-uVFXxUkOvFTc8NpBrwvVFhwdCJT2j57HfDmFO2lLTOJj4d55YvqSq5dgPmxgzgk9Jo/s1600/Giacometti+Sculptures+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6e8_JRkGmxaif933b6D5BLomlpk6LGbi0gA6pciE9-Zhn_TlHYtQwaTMkMGfu0eF3n5S7LGP-uVFXxUkOvFTc8NpBrwvVFhwdCJT2j57HfDmFO2lLTOJj4d55YvqSq5dgPmxgzgk9Jo/s1600/Giacometti+Sculptures+.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Van Gogh's....</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51tdYxb573AL-9NusJVh9EuP61hBMgCpZMRKkl5IATOOtbmk2xdURgTcpYVEomIfdwT5Zv5e1WLISiKrYhKWztYuL5PqDlL9waN7h1X-rRmDjPKLXFc3Fx75aBDwexI5sWLk_bYbYyHY/s1600/Van+Gogh's+Mother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51tdYxb573AL-9NusJVh9EuP61hBMgCpZMRKkl5IATOOtbmk2xdURgTcpYVEomIfdwT5Zv5e1WLISiKrYhKWztYuL5PqDlL9waN7h1X-rRmDjPKLXFc3Fx75aBDwexI5sWLk_bYbYyHY/s1600/Van+Gogh's+Mother.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Van Gogh's Mom</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The sculpture garden is magical to stroll through. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimy7AN9ik_rhu24-ZpdJfHphqrRQ2CFXqEdmxThac1YgeH4T-KrGYqwMYE4VRg_eKZncbV39XmxlWTaWaEBR5WwQqFidulK4NBrYJw_Vz-EvrGXjYTrbVRQ673I33_Dz3aUJZrdAHhjjc/s1600/cute+duck+pictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimy7AN9ik_rhu24-ZpdJfHphqrRQ2CFXqEdmxThac1YgeH4T-KrGYqwMYE4VRg_eKZncbV39XmxlWTaWaEBR5WwQqFidulK4NBrYJw_Vz-EvrGXjYTrbVRQ673I33_Dz3aUJZrdAHhjjc/s1600/cute+duck+pictures.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Frankly I think of it as one of those places you could get lost, spend hours, daydream... </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxrwzevr1JIFS3Adoh5rVETxbNGscLjm-8LJM0kA60Z-BSucyLUHZdGlYtIf6OGU79nq6ZBGkQVNM67nxZv0ERuCqJObTp4IWxctivMoJ8LUlZkFmd5DnlbgQoc19lOsjto2xaxmcEAM/s1600/Sculptures+by+Moore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxrwzevr1JIFS3Adoh5rVETxbNGscLjm-8LJM0kA60Z-BSucyLUHZdGlYtIf6OGU79nq6ZBGkQVNM67nxZv0ERuCqJObTp4IWxctivMoJ8LUlZkFmd5DnlbgQoc19lOsjto2xaxmcEAM/s1600/Sculptures+by+Moore.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sculpture by Henry Moore in The Sculpture Garden at The Norton Simon<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrCTeMI6O7Bg-I8lNpauwo5ashoM65GIvN8Y1xpxqxn4BZlqI1RpEfzfXDfd9GpwKe7YpL3VRKj_FJFfvozQvwpWdFfhKwmHj_L_WGOBm2CGixdNzzCbOyARyFMgST0vkqKgdKXqWDWQ/s1600/A.+Maillol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrCTeMI6O7Bg-I8lNpauwo5ashoM65GIvN8Y1xpxqxn4BZlqI1RpEfzfXDfd9GpwKe7YpL3VRKj_FJFfvozQvwpWdFfhKwmHj_L_WGOBm2CGixdNzzCbOyARyFMgST0vkqKgdKXqWDWQ/s1600/A.+Maillol.jpg" height="480" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>Sculpture by A. Maillol in The Sculpture Garden at The Norton Simon</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What a tasteful, well-curated museum with immensely beautiful, invaluable and spiritual pieces inside and out. Such a worth-it trip. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(p.s. for those of you who read this original post when I didn't have to many pictures, I told you I'd go back!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.nortonsimon.org/contact/index.php">The Norton Simon Museum</a> is at 411 West Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105. Main number is 626-449-6840. Parking won't cost you a dime. Unless we just got lucky and then I'm sorry!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Motherfucker With The Hat is now playing at <a href="http://www.theloststudio.com/">The Lost Studio</a> on La Brea between 1st & 2nd. There might be a man with bongos out front. For tickets, try <a href="http://www.mfwiththehat.com/tickets">Brown Paper Tickets</a>. You'll save 5 bucks rather than buying tickets at the door. The play is running until August 10th. Street Parking available. As always, read the signs, feed your meter.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGy1fFhJ4P708k2rYzYyQiyuTA3of0nF_qgeXIQX9CSSxAiyLC5lR36fbJPZHtT2XMJxBx8l9ICh_arXEwj2XDFM7ucX61d6phmy-LljgXanAaz1OdAVRYD4EADTSFGBZT_1Dl4ZU9faY/s1600/Incredible+Antiquities.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGy1fFhJ4P708k2rYzYyQiyuTA3of0nF_qgeXIQX9CSSxAiyLC5lR36fbJPZHtT2XMJxBx8l9ICh_arXEwj2XDFM7ucX61d6phmy-LljgXanAaz1OdAVRYD4EADTSFGBZT_1Dl4ZU9faY/s1600/Incredible+Antiquities.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Enjoy!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-75150319616526838452014-07-18T16:40:00.002-07:002014-07-18T17:16:51.004-07:00New World MacI'm only writing this because I'm so sick of seeing my last post! I don't know if I've lost the urge to blog. I don't! So many people blog now. So many opinions. So much is being said. <i>Go here, do that, think this way</i>. Not sure what I think of any of it. I really don't. I just know though when I find a good thing, a really really good thing, I want people to know about it -- especially a good thing in LA that might be under the radar. Let's face it, that's all I ever really care about anyway: secret stairs, secret restaurants, secret tours.<br />
<br />
So I was in New Mexico and had a terrible nightmare about what I'll <i>never</i> know when I woke up, disoriented and in moving my hands like a helicopter propeller to figure out where I was I spilled water onto my laptop. It was so weird and startling when I finally found the light and then saw this little puddle; this little innocuous looking puddle. Like it meant nothing. But it meant everything. It was the arsenic and old lace to my constant companion.<br />
<br />
I tried wiping it off and praying and blowing on it but it was 2 in the morning. So eventually I closed the top and said good night to it and sort of drifted off into an uneasy sleep where a pool was following me onto a campus and I wasn't wearing any pants.<br />
<br />
The next morning I woke only to immediately look at my computer the way you look at someone who's on a deathbed but you're not really sure if they're still alive or how you want to figure that out. I was at my friend's house, who said that we should dry it out. It might be fine. "Really, Cyn." So we opened it up and left it out in the desert sun to get warm, to get color in its cheeks. And on the advice of a Southwestern nerd we didn't turn it on. At night we brought it inside. As the days wore on, we sort of stopped noticing it was there, just hanging around. Outside during the day, inside on the counter no one goes near at night. We just let it sit. And sit. And sit.<br />
<br />
Finally it was time to head back to LA. While packing up, I remembered my laptop like some lonesome sock that you can't leave at your friend's house but you know it's useless and no longer has a place with you. Or rather it was an appendage that had no nerve endings; a floppy, lifeless dewclaw that just hung there. In went my metallic dewclaw into my bag like a dead person being transported for burial. Though I had a shard of hope. Perhaps when I got back to LA it would be fine with all that sunshine and that not being pressed ON, etc. All our high-tech methods.<br />
<br />
But at The Genius Bar in Pasadena (does anyone else feel scared and alone when visiting The Genius Bar?) I was told the water corroded the board and in all likelihood it was done. <i>Maybe </i>the hard drive could be saved. They showed me the damage. They showed me what <i>I</i> had done with my flailing arms and my forever forgotten dream. And then they told me to try and fix it would be $1,200.00. Oh and it would take days (I already had had to wait a few days just to get in there). $1,200.00 smackaroos. That's like 4 roundtrips to New Mexico or rent or just a ridiculous amount of money. Who cares what I could spend $1,200 dollars on? $1,200 dollars is simply too much. The other option they offered me was to spend more. I could buy a new laptop for two grand. I mean who are these people and what have they done with common sense?<br />
<br />
I left. Me and my appendage, walking down the mean, bright, dry streets of Pasadena. I knew what I had to do. I had to get a new computer. Just not the Apple Store way.<br />
<br />
I went online for a refurbished laptop. I found one for under a grand so good, good. Once it would come in, my plan was to find a private Mac Repair shop to see if the hard drive was still good. Apparently they couldn't tell me that at The Genius Bar at the time. The Genius Bar--where genius's hang out and drink hope away like an iced chai latte.<br />
<br />
So... I kept my fingers crossed. Perhaps my hard drive did avoid the deadly water like Roy Scheider in Jaws. Though Roy did get wet and eventually had to paddle his way back to shore with Richard Dreyfuss. (must find a new analogy).<br />
<br />
The computer arrived today. It's almost as nice as my last laptop but six months older. It has a little more weight and harsh edges where my old laptop had sexy woman curves. Either which way I called around about that hard drive thing. Prices quoted were from $75 to $150. Oddly I went to the $150 place. I wasn't sure it would cost that -- the guy said it could be less -- but it was that he seemed nice. I wanted to feel taken care of. The business of computers had up until that point felt cold and harsh and expedited. I wanted a second to breathe. To be treated like a human. To have another human look up from a device, look me in the eye and tell me what's what; maybe even say that everything would be okay. That it all wasn't such a big deal.<br />
<br />
I went over to New Mac World in Echo Park on Sunset and Laveta Terrace (otherwise known to my friends as Nicole's old street). Guy is the person who greeted me AND SHOOK MY HAND. And then he introduced me to Andy who was wearing a good rocker shirt and was very nice and mellow and took a look at my hard drive and within moments said it was perfectly fine. I suppose he's a SUPER genius. The transfer would not be hard. He could do it right then and there. And he asked me what I was going to do with the old computer. I'm sure I could have figured out a whole slew of things. Maybe there was a way to make money off the parts. But I also knew most likely I would dream that dream of doing something with it and do nothing with it and then have it sit there and stare at me and act as a surface for papers and old scripts and guilt so I said, "I have no idea." He told me he'd take it and not charge me for the hard drive transfer. I said "Yes." From start to finish I was in and out within 20 minutes. I was done. It was over. And wait, <u>he even carried my water for me out to the car</u> because, well, I'm sure you can understand why: I didn't want to carry my water and my computer at the same time.<br />
<br />
I'll get some pictures to post on this eventually. I'm not even sure I'm really back to blogging. But I wanted you guys to know THERE ARE GOOD BUSINESSES OUT THERE! Run by good, hard-working, polite, efficient small business owners who don't want to scare you and aren't juggling 3,000 people an hour. They will see you right away. They're right there. They're fair, they're even, they're cool. And they're in our town. Which is so good.<br />
<br />
Yay New World Mac!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://newworldmac.com/">http://newworldmac.com/</a><br />
1498 Sunset Boulevard<br />
LA, CA 90026<br />
They have two designated parking spots but you can also park on the street.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-33016370999152558882014-03-02T11:47:00.001-08:002014-09-16T13:50:46.723-07:00Ahhhh SUSHI<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm no connoisseur regarding sushi. I just know I fell in love with the cuisine when I moved to LA. I used to go to a fun place called Sushi 101 in the valley in North Hollywood. The chef there, Toshi, was a great guy and those were the halcyon days of sushi, shrimp heads, sake and Sapporo. It was a wonderful introduction. But then I moved and when I did, someone, at some point, introduced me to Ike on Hollywood and Gower. Not the nicest section but man, did I chow down.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Oh how I loved Chef Ike - he always bought the freshest fish and always kept the rolls pure. But then he left to go to Japan. Eventually I heard he opened a new restaurant, Kimagure, in Pasadena on Raymond. I wanted to go but didn't make it there. Money got tight. We moved ourselves. Life got busy. It was as if I forgot sushi even existed. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Then yesterday for some weird reason I said I wanted sushi. Every now and again it's a part of living in LA: you have to go out for sushi. It's a treat, to be certain, but it's as much a part of the LA experience as going to the beach once in awhile or getting an In and Out Burger.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Oh my God. Had I known I live only 15 minutes from Kimagure I would have gone much sooner. I might go to the beach twice a year but I'll sell my kidney for every other weekend at Kimagure.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Here's some photos. I went a la carte, as I always do:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXfclhlc0ho-H9kLYMpF0QApyxJIwzTkwGInJygcvUvhvvRx11e0uAvMB_v5Idb2XunApW_piB6odkoiiu6eOr99mJzBdAoFqezWAydMa6L0EOdSNym0RbWMUcGPpGMH_A-fQmTxMbsM/s1600/grilled+octopus+Ike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXfclhlc0ho-H9kLYMpF0QApyxJIwzTkwGInJygcvUvhvvRx11e0uAvMB_v5Idb2XunApW_piB6odkoiiu6eOr99mJzBdAoFqezWAydMa6L0EOdSNym0RbWMUcGPpGMH_A-fQmTxMbsM/s1600/grilled+octopus+Ike.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
I never eat grilled octopus. My fear always is it'll be chewy and one of those suckers will adhere to the roof of mouth. Not so here. It was delicious, succulent and I could taste that grilled crispness.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGhRKOZakWLT2Hed23DishckUF0L1o1eTToCCLht7byUEqcIlYtSDHXP-vQ5w9qxj5DPDVfyz6n4ckGfy3bxP2f3-4EIc3IYG9iU4C-5v0X1YYsi4-wCJ9ux9vegJUZo6xwpYMHZrsAo/s1600/Seared+Salmon+Chef+Ike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGhRKOZakWLT2Hed23DishckUF0L1o1eTToCCLht7byUEqcIlYtSDHXP-vQ5w9qxj5DPDVfyz6n4ckGfy3bxP2f3-4EIc3IYG9iU4C-5v0X1YYsi4-wCJ9ux9vegJUZo6xwpYMHZrsAo/s1600/Seared+Salmon+Chef+Ike.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
The grilled salmon, no lie, was like butta. Unbelievable. One of the best things I've ever eaten. So tender, melts in your mouth, and presents a fine smoky touch. Oy gavult konichiwa!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPICXQx0Qgn3ysPn_LC5pT3raLgaN_JzQS4LWe4z0OatPXZXQVZETTTcJCHYfTeqFZwdNXMYzcXtQpYa6P4CyLqcxfL_Nm2Dm417zrE0UJXv9j2EBeBIS9h7OYqQyiwYdYRYNwv41G5E/s1600/Shrimp+Sushi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPICXQx0Qgn3ysPn_LC5pT3raLgaN_JzQS4LWe4z0OatPXZXQVZETTTcJCHYfTeqFZwdNXMYzcXtQpYa6P4CyLqcxfL_Nm2Dm417zrE0UJXv9j2EBeBIS9h7OYqQyiwYdYRYNwv41G5E/s1600/Shrimp+Sushi.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
Of course the shrimp was lovely, so fresh I think it was wiggling and I ate it just as he served it, straight up, no extra sauce or b.s. mishigas. In fact what I like most about Chef Ike are that his recipes are pure and simple. The fish is the seafood is the star, not the sauces to cover up the ocean. He doesn't load you up with unnecessary calories, fried slivers of this and that and vegetables hardly resembling their original state. He assumes if you're there you like these tastes, you like fish, <i>you like real sushi</i>. When you step into Kimagure, it's as if you're walking to the Metro in Tokyo and just stopped in somewhere to get a quick bite before a long trip.<br />
<br />
That being said, check out the generous ginger. Ike don't skimp and I like a little palate cleanser from dish to dish.<br />
<br />
Much is not pictured. I was busy eating. Chef Ike made us a nice tuna roll, a kanpyo roll which I'm sure very few people get but I kind of like it for my last thing. It's a gourd soaked in sweet stuff and then wrapped in rice, of course. But the thing he started me with - and trust me - this guy and I go waaaaaaaaaaay back, is my favorite. Halibut sashimi with his perfect semi-sweet silky sauce that is so bright it almost has a hint of citrus. I never asked.<br />
<br />
Here's the menu in case you want to have the chef choose for you:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM02p4e8fy2rCxWH3Vnl4m7glqJVbGkdgoa5laKTZKenIud9vXXbhMgy3HDVuQvpX_yEn_PEGUvVRwolvo5pxqVDxzc7jkl6knBGjhbe2CbNWQHEI56k-pNgHLaMOML2Wc0ZSxQnzm6xc/s1600/Kamagure+Menu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM02p4e8fy2rCxWH3Vnl4m7glqJVbGkdgoa5laKTZKenIud9vXXbhMgy3HDVuQvpX_yEn_PEGUvVRwolvo5pxqVDxzc7jkl6knBGjhbe2CbNWQHEI56k-pNgHLaMOML2Wc0ZSxQnzm6xc/s1600/Kamagure+Menu.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
It'll probably look something like this:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-5D9iimIo-Ga4oSnWwnHkqMBvQcnJJFV_LN9SMud0VtsQsI7256NN79vdTlVijElFdcyAKib3Uwisuk8Af4DrxG6QJRYTHbPmxFFb0di4sNZlgj8HLs0tOnJl0A0BlJecF-eq_NGz9M/s1600/Best+Sushi+in+Pasadena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-5D9iimIo-Ga4oSnWwnHkqMBvQcnJJFV_LN9SMud0VtsQsI7256NN79vdTlVijElFdcyAKib3Uwisuk8Af4DrxG6QJRYTHbPmxFFb0di4sNZlgj8HLs0tOnJl0A0BlJecF-eq_NGz9M/s1600/Best+Sushi+in+Pasadena.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
But I'm an a la cart-er. I'm very picky and adventurous in doses. Besides Ike knows me. Knows what I like. And what I like is the freshest sushi prepared by a real master. There might be plenty of sushi spots in LA but when you find what you like, and a chef who cares this much about the food -- with a smile he puts together my sashimi -- who wouldn't want to go back?<br />
<br />
Ike-san! I salute you!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXP_l0DTa8IQmYICHxGrbC8dk1BCYc-hYWaSA3qtLd1AUhqadrmGU8_zBVCHKZqW2bL6AG2mhw906TpXCrsqKXuzv4OUFzWVtauboqiGPc3ll3LrOOr6wNaVQuEDPc_1SnH2aRy-etOU/s1600/Chef+Ike+in+Action.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXP_l0DTa8IQmYICHxGrbC8dk1BCYc-hYWaSA3qtLd1AUhqadrmGU8_zBVCHKZqW2bL6AG2mhw906TpXCrsqKXuzv4OUFzWVtauboqiGPc3ll3LrOOr6wNaVQuEDPc_1SnH2aRy-etOU/s1600/Chef+Ike+in+Action.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sushi-Kimagure-Ike/114844988602868">Kimagure</a> is at 220 South Raymond, Pasadena, CA 91105. Reservations recommended: 626-535-0880. Park at the Del Mar Metro Station. First 90 minutes are free.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-41407694984975089182014-02-11T09:51:00.001-08:002014-09-16T13:58:41.785-07:00My Favorite Salad<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0UA2XqCJ1xlmYAf0QJbpGs8wXnsLykD_znTUo1WPq-lqxc0U1f1zv5RglLP_asYqfvefiXP4MN0dWyM1bHurnoR7jcjaWQyJlqaKsfU585q5ch77MaE0auBbOvDwMSrj8Yo4L1joJgU/s1600/Bon+Appetit+Silverlake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0UA2XqCJ1xlmYAf0QJbpGs8wXnsLykD_znTUo1WPq-lqxc0U1f1zv5RglLP_asYqfvefiXP4MN0dWyM1bHurnoR7jcjaWQyJlqaKsfU585q5ch77MaE0auBbOvDwMSrj8Yo4L1joJgU/s1600/Bon+Appetit+Silverlake.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
Just have to make a quick and fast recommendation for one of my favorite salads. Actually it's one of my favorite lunch spots.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih050LUoWb4lyuZ-jkSw2IzgLIdxSwCq288RDdwq95VyV5xU1NRDHMmd0iYM_8W4jOTUc4ZNQz-nf4fIrxEg1DdGwCmIAKrs_Nk8aI2rpW0wERUI0zKVOGrd_tTiCzmc1bbCd27lfvwQU/s1600/Food+%252B+Lab+Exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih050LUoWb4lyuZ-jkSw2IzgLIdxSwCq288RDdwq95VyV5xU1NRDHMmd0iYM_8W4jOTUc4ZNQz-nf4fIrxEg1DdGwCmIAKrs_Nk8aI2rpW0wERUI0zKVOGrd_tTiCzmc1bbCd27lfvwQU/s1600/Food+%252B+Lab+Exterior.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
On Sunset, just a couple of blocks east of Silverlake Boulevard, sandwiched between Sumi's and Hemingway & Pickett, is Food + Lab. Now there's another Food + Lab in West Hollywood, and that one is fine, but this is the one I love and I can't for the life of me say there's any real major difference aside from the fact that...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4w0cZWPUQ_YeB88TOBdvyWAXu0ijttt_ijlWrSYvp4826kEdFFt9CCiTa0o44Ddi6vS6aNicVfhksgST_IkQh4S3wJMaRr_g-jyJM904fJYSgwSYg6mLQAVhXgRhY_MKJ2FakpoJNHQ/s1600/Where+is+Food+++Lab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4w0cZWPUQ_YeB88TOBdvyWAXu0ijttt_ijlWrSYvp4826kEdFFt9CCiTa0o44Ddi6vS6aNicVfhksgST_IkQh4S3wJMaRr_g-jyJM904fJYSgwSYg6mLQAVhXgRhY_MKJ2FakpoJNHQ/s1600/Where+is+Food+++Lab.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
...it's in Silverlake.<br />
<br />
Food + Lab is simple. Good food. Fresh food. Well prepared. But also the entire place is clean and mellow. New York tiled, metal but comf chairs and and I'm a big fan of the mirror and the artwork and hanging-low light fixtures:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Rj63ULY_D8eAMBvdtyLNh9kAhbITX6ZUs4-NqBzk7V6UYd5Ou6_fsjq0VLs-r2E2r_qgXD6XDONNacnYvqeaU9cI4c5U1xslrMAjElqHU3FkxH8KkYnd02xvtitbd0dCCkh_jsFVZhk/s1600/vintage+light+fixtures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Rj63ULY_D8eAMBvdtyLNh9kAhbITX6ZUs4-NqBzk7V6UYd5Ou6_fsjq0VLs-r2E2r_qgXD6XDONNacnYvqeaU9cI4c5U1xslrMAjElqHU3FkxH8KkYnd02xvtitbd0dCCkh_jsFVZhk/s1600/vintage+light+fixtures.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
There aren't that many restaurants where I feel I can really think. I can be alone and it's okay. This though is one of them. And though it has delicious sammys...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbnlFMVh_Zb2EKsX3QSMlswbsup7yTmD2OzXmQYDPgmBh_sf1HY6uMCCsf6KVFhM1gt7t6xJ0gtLCtW-Zz_xNuT3ZLMOgtSqLMIPFt_c8_VzD1zRzv9xOZ9_E8Wt4NgbLpG0ntkaDqJw/s1600/Grilled+Cheese+in+Silverlake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbnlFMVh_Zb2EKsX3QSMlswbsup7yTmD2OzXmQYDPgmBh_sf1HY6uMCCsf6KVFhM1gt7t6xJ0gtLCtW-Zz_xNuT3ZLMOgtSqLMIPFt_c8_VzD1zRzv9xOZ9_E8Wt4NgbLpG0ntkaDqJw/s1600/Grilled+Cheese+in+Silverlake.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Grilled Cheese with Kale Salad at Food + Lab</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
...tons of sides like kale salad and white bean salad, and Deluscious Cookies (which are at the counter and just trust me you should get one, they are fabulous) the reason I go is for one reason and one reason alone.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zIC-qAi85h8IdBgvV4yhWY6EY8YtIt8ffX73YXejBsMrxOIox5Oklf4ny01BR4JHzzyhhCCU28Hemx7SPQL08_mv6JPXMKhgmKXekpI7MRb8MPxF4E99tTcucIbZr7fWFsVrwf86PdU/s1600/Where+to+Find+The+Best+Salad+in+Silverlake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zIC-qAi85h8IdBgvV4yhWY6EY8YtIt8ffX73YXejBsMrxOIox5Oklf4ny01BR4JHzzyhhCCU28Hemx7SPQL08_mv6JPXMKhgmKXekpI7MRb8MPxF4E99tTcucIbZr7fWFsVrwf86PdU/s1600/Where+to+Find+The+Best+Salad+in+Silverlake.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Cobb Salad at Food + Lab</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is my favorite salad: The Chicken Cobb. Grilled chicken, yummy little tomatoes, spring lettuce, gorgonzola. It comes with 1 dressing but I ask for two and mix them because they're both AMAZING. They're not fattening, they whip the dressing so they taste rich and have a silky texure and it's a salad and who cares? One is the House Vinaigrette, the other, Lemon. The salad comes with bacon and egg but I don't get either. I feel indulgent with the bacon and I dislike cooked egg. So for me they usually just throw in some more of something like the cheese or the avocado or the tomato. Doesn't matter to me which component is added because they're all so good and the chicken, seriously, is grilled to perfection, charred - a hint of salt. So tasty Tom Colicchio (and it's his voice I hear in my head when I bite into it) would say, "The chicken is cooked perfectly."</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3aJcG0W65pj-Ou4BnAsZ75LrFzW20-NTZK_NOlHaq1ia91365QbzYqRPQSumjQid3cAV527qXVHpjo7PuvFgmjoGpaPqJc6ogtr38xtXDICOCH4nRLHE6n4O95QqFdCD26Xqc5o9nl8/s1600/Best+Salad+in+Silverlake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3aJcG0W65pj-Ou4BnAsZ75LrFzW20-NTZK_NOlHaq1ia91365QbzYqRPQSumjQid3cAV527qXVHpjo7PuvFgmjoGpaPqJc6ogtr38xtXDICOCH4nRLHE6n4O95QqFdCD26Xqc5o9nl8/s1600/Best+Salad+in+Silverlake.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Grilled Veggie Salad. Which is good too. But it isn't the Cobb.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They have other salads too, obviously. They can't just serve one. Like they have the extremely popular grilled veggie with goat cheese but I likes what I likes and you'll rarely see me diverge from my original setting.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While you're on the block, it's worth going to the places that align Food + Lab. They're both good little stores -- though one is about to move. Sumi's is going to Vermont which is a shame but they're there for now and the handmade jewelry is really lovely.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>UPDATE: <a href="http://www.sumisanywhere.com/">SUMI'S</a> HAS MOVED TO 1812 NORTH VERMONT, LA, CA 90027</u>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIZ9-agF4i3QQSjkVIKBO5ifePmlt8N2TYMKynzczv1qjRu9Gsn-_4hg6zaqp4yBuqllL_sLx8oMlQbGUy10E8U-E3KApbkiPaHcArBOhmvt-1PU8mmWIM4SFUA6E093Abz0yNRI9Dds/s1600/Jewelry+in+Silverlake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIZ9-agF4i3QQSjkVIKBO5ifePmlt8N2TYMKynzczv1qjRu9Gsn-_4hg6zaqp4yBuqllL_sLx8oMlQbGUy10E8U-E3KApbkiPaHcArBOhmvt-1PU8mmWIM4SFUA6E093Abz0yNRI9Dds/s1600/Jewelry+in+Silverlake.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sumi sells both some of her own designs, some of local designers. Very tasteful stuff and a close friend actually got her wedding ring here. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3PvE6PinR80u1Ly_rWN3SFyxVxsLj6EuecXdC3KFahet9WLxu5XPrWh4zUtLQWL92batiNuVg3avu_9GRmLa5EfEyHm5JiFa8NjT1no9brj7noqViEDiQnJLixapPdKoyrTAmcm2bvk/s1600/Rivka+Necklace+Sumi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3PvE6PinR80u1Ly_rWN3SFyxVxsLj6EuecXdC3KFahet9WLxu5XPrWh4zUtLQWL92batiNuVg3avu_9GRmLa5EfEyHm5JiFa8NjT1no9brj7noqViEDiQnJLixapPdKoyrTAmcm2bvk/s1600/Rivka+Necklace+Sumi.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wrapped Necklace at Sumi $143</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf87LWjY1ffj3D3CIePtgJpskIM85Z61pJWHeME3-n9-aaOEtrI2_E46W7jdTFIgV1RDjuu9OXn-FsU3GCIU-byDHtvcBOT4_fdEdTrMoJ0SJ7xWfvPxKp9uRAJHxOwrNRhoojsfl8fVA/s1600/Sumi+Earrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf87LWjY1ffj3D3CIePtgJpskIM85Z61pJWHeME3-n9-aaOEtrI2_E46W7jdTFIgV1RDjuu9OXn-FsU3GCIU-byDHtvcBOT4_fdEdTrMoJ0SJ7xWfvPxKp9uRAJHxOwrNRhoojsfl8fVA/s1600/Sumi+Earrings.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Classy and simple Rose Gold Earrings, designed by Sumi $46</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There are also these very cute handmade Carita Viola bags from Finland, tons of artwork and pretty little knick knacks. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3g8nMWIJtSAed_88H6gh0mjTFPmmfG1bh7BmPd7Dmh5pAP-3g06IhqlS0Pjn5zenZbp6w42A1KTMqtYyq63iEtJDaGYUQsd8zEXngbOn-ZOQKFOgRKhYRaDD4lOAsWu3h6R1ThqCPUyQ/s1600/Sale+at+Sumi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3g8nMWIJtSAed_88H6gh0mjTFPmmfG1bh7BmPd7Dmh5pAP-3g06IhqlS0Pjn5zenZbp6w42A1KTMqtYyq63iEtJDaGYUQsd8zEXngbOn-ZOQKFOgRKhYRaDD4lOAsWu3h6R1ThqCPUyQ/s1600/Sale+at+Sumi.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxlc7Euin_X0WS66-bOI05vIRTVDn9n7h_fkw9JCTdzL1BKvFByRcIk7fSGArMOrpOkqjKxKeuzF9PeywHxFCLRCB12B7hWjnDIHLM9AWq51xRAf1_j6R93Qrpo4TtigcCFMKCJTJnrs/s1600/Pink+Scarves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxlc7Euin_X0WS66-bOI05vIRTVDn9n7h_fkw9JCTdzL1BKvFByRcIk7fSGArMOrpOkqjKxKeuzF9PeywHxFCLRCB12B7hWjnDIHLM9AWq51xRAf1_j6R93Qrpo4TtigcCFMKCJTJnrs/s1600/Pink+Scarves.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gorgeous scarf at Sumi $22</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the other side of Food + Lab is Hemingway & Pickett. Also a totally charming and unique store.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCAsKcM1wd8zf-L9MVODhEG1Mjm_KYm45Y59gAqKfVm2r288bzWpboqxinthoWelrLQ1OVNKzMMwJBr3WnIZV8Q-iCicmNlE9Vz-0cYtuvU5SkGyCAqAltsrE2aY83zMFxNYAhW1gNnA/s1600/Beer+Mug+Sleeves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCAsKcM1wd8zf-L9MVODhEG1Mjm_KYm45Y59gAqKfVm2r288bzWpboqxinthoWelrLQ1OVNKzMMwJBr3WnIZV8Q-iCicmNlE9Vz-0cYtuvU5SkGyCAqAltsrE2aY83zMFxNYAhW1gNnA/s1600/Beer+Mug+Sleeves.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>$12 for the pair of Territorial Beer Holders</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLnr_mZWEFo2WbEbOcE05VDPugHw31xwhLabEwo__mI7m5QD_gNIxNQ1K_zig3S14_n4qtwsgsmy_eZuB-kyOQxgYeEuLvya6z8ZQAhLsS4thYfcCwvnPiz17ehDgFDFl29HyDCb7D10/s1600/Retro+Clocks+Silverlake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLnr_mZWEFo2WbEbOcE05VDPugHw31xwhLabEwo__mI7m5QD_gNIxNQ1K_zig3S14_n4qtwsgsmy_eZuB-kyOQxgYeEuLvya6z8ZQAhLsS4thYfcCwvnPiz17ehDgFDFl29HyDCb7D10/s1600/Retro+Clocks+Silverlake.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Awesome retro clocks by Bruno. $55.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQXMGxTXm1c1xEYb3ZaKSlWby2gze-_veD5IQt8UpGLTSVKRJZ4umn2pQjIAWya3FFACik6LUgoFTqX3zsqAfFuwhrmqP1LTMXQwLdknapIu9ZPX4xTm2dxH8oDm9_2lFeuGCO3CA_hE/s1600/Terra+Nova+NaturOil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQXMGxTXm1c1xEYb3ZaKSlWby2gze-_veD5IQt8UpGLTSVKRJZ4umn2pQjIAWya3FFACik6LUgoFTqX3zsqAfFuwhrmqP1LTMXQwLdknapIu9ZPX4xTm2dxH8oDm9_2lFeuGCO3CA_hE/s1600/Terra+Nova+NaturOil.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Terra Nova Natur Oil, 10 bucks.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7WCVKL1b2Arw9CvUV3OXFCxuqNchdydrsfGO58grtcb-SqQRjfQdnRxHfZ3lKHPkg43vwy-3CfHYjuyVXp4fK7GAYAMjXuEJ2aPyc75Tw2MkVFOFiHOZE9jFoV52ACI9n3W65lghHdI/s1600/Unique+Valentine's+Day+Cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7WCVKL1b2Arw9CvUV3OXFCxuqNchdydrsfGO58grtcb-SqQRjfQdnRxHfZ3lKHPkg43vwy-3CfHYjuyVXp4fK7GAYAMjXuEJ2aPyc75Tw2MkVFOFiHOZE9jFoV52ACI9n3W65lghHdI/s1600/Unique+Valentine's+Day+Cards.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Original cards.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNzu9FISD73fzTftS3Pw98X3Ybt3VaANcPsuAVZjFAHjJsTB6WIKevGGCWj1WN6M9ecvOt-RaO8bhglUknodEaSKXSrqgL30-ShmrKeioR11t-Eq71xu76RY4qwkLxAUCRXBqXgBfv8k/s1600/Upright+Pianos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNzu9FISD73fzTftS3Pw98X3Ybt3VaANcPsuAVZjFAHjJsTB6WIKevGGCWj1WN6M9ecvOt-RaO8bhglUknodEaSKXSrqgL30-ShmrKeioR11t-Eq71xu76RY4qwkLxAUCRXBqXgBfv8k/s1600/Upright+Pianos.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
They're great places. Probably worth the trip alone. But for me, it's very clear why I'm coming to this stretch of land...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiP7cB8gGZJpeOoX7CRPcHfhZfqWRpFYscYsKASmBLWsO496GphBVE-W6aipeQ3pFpT5443RDX7pZf8JCtuHkjvVsBduC8gC38vaDDFWdh-C0qMzDWNFpULm6qUglG_NHdITrOb2FPd0o/s1600/Where+to+Find+The+Best+Salad+in+Silverlake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiP7cB8gGZJpeOoX7CRPcHfhZfqWRpFYscYsKASmBLWsO496GphBVE-W6aipeQ3pFpT5443RDX7pZf8JCtuHkjvVsBduC8gC38vaDDFWdh-C0qMzDWNFpULm6qUglG_NHdITrOb2FPd0o/s1600/Where+to+Find+The+Best+Salad+in+Silverlake.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://foodlab-la.com/menus.php">Food + Lab</a> is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and caters. Hours are 10 to 9 on weekdays, 9 to 9 on weekends. It's located at 3206 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles 90026. Metered parking is available on Sunset, free side street parking is also worth the hunt but as always, check the signs. 323.661.2666. Their other location is 7253 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood 90046. Hours are 8-8 daily. There's metered parking on Santa Monica and free parking available in the back. 323.851.7120.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.sumisanywhere.com/">Sumi's</a> <strike>is at 3204 Sunset</strike>. 1812 North Vermont, LA, CA 90027. Monday thru Saturday 10-8. Sundays 11-6. 323.660.0869.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.hemingwayandpickett.com/">Hemingway & Pickett</a> is at 3208 Sunset. Tuesday thru Saturday, 11-7. Sunday and Monday, 11-5. 323.660.4200.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9191778224840439349.post-48463842180996325442014-02-09T14:02:00.000-08:002014-02-10T14:22:41.867-08:00Dumb StarbucksPeople don't really know what to make of it or if it's legal. But in Los Feliz, right on Hillhurst, a place that looks exactly like Starbucks but with the word "DUMB" in front of the name, has popped up.<br />
<br />
Dumb Starbucks... the fact that someone did this makes me VERY happy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo2i5viFMAJX2lMKA_jhUc29J-w6vyp3mx-Xkd9_v1Nh_BrdNnVonRbyPI-nDgEUNhmiERZ7GFFo9mVFrhpsXmU5w-d8YynnFO0NtVRF69NwS51c2Ph2WhI4pAIzvhgFd1oTFFsh3D0s/s1600/Dumb+Starbucks+Coffee+Los+Feliz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo2i5viFMAJX2lMKA_jhUc29J-w6vyp3mx-Xkd9_v1Nh_BrdNnVonRbyPI-nDgEUNhmiERZ7GFFo9mVFrhpsXmU5w-d8YynnFO0NtVRF69NwS51c2Ph2WhI4pAIzvhgFd1oTFFsh3D0s/s1600/Dumb+Starbucks+Coffee+Los+Feliz.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
Just south of Franklin on the corner of Melbourne in the same outdoor mini-mall as Tubtim (ever been there? I didn't think so) you'll find a really Dumb Starbucks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PcV170Ur5Dw7jg3ZttU7YShDpaHKrN4UJ2AFg8K7qWR3mFvK8W5iEgmtCMOBRUWL4AdxnJze_z2kl_VeLu2OOfeQkWK5h60jvAmILRS261bZn0s-fWIg6J28dzsiQgGA0OG0HhNWvG8/s1600/Dumb+Starbucks+Coffee+Now+Open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PcV170Ur5Dw7jg3ZttU7YShDpaHKrN4UJ2AFg8K7qWR3mFvK8W5iEgmtCMOBRUWL4AdxnJze_z2kl_VeLu2OOfeQkWK5h60jvAmILRS261bZn0s-fWIg6J28dzsiQgGA0OG0HhNWvG8/s1600/Dumb+Starbucks+Coffee+Now+Open.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
I think in all my time of living in LA I've never even noticed this outdoor mini-mall. Getting lots of attention now...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiv6EiQueXItcI_LpJ1dUgGOvopdVEHtSUtYqM6HAizOask8MnUNR2BTgfVN5inN1obO-l_tn0OMIegPRezFHwMKHPI4LiLztFYPHMVnSBwsPNXYti5gHzD3AhWDime7kCZ61Po3f6Q0/s1600/Dumb+Starbucks+Line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiv6EiQueXItcI_LpJ1dUgGOvopdVEHtSUtYqM6HAizOask8MnUNR2BTgfVN5inN1obO-l_tn0OMIegPRezFHwMKHPI4LiLztFYPHMVnSBwsPNXYti5gHzD3AhWDime7kCZ61Po3f6Q0/s1600/Dumb+Starbucks+Line.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
There were hipsters lined up around the block to get what I hear is pretty crappy coffee but the point wasn't the coffee. It was to be a part of a parody art movement.<br />
<br />
I appreciate this little touch on the inside:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jhjRlPpZphu-W2mPKQ5WoCNmZtrrUvdbZ5QxSMmxnpr_duj2jCs7G9Iqpoqx4INPZwoLByU0nDrfOH7wrQbHSKDKf59tph8Mx9NOe7NjtozOMr893Rm13-V0c8yeijGrAsu3C6Bup6E/s1600/Dumb+Taste+of+Cuba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jhjRlPpZphu-W2mPKQ5WoCNmZtrrUvdbZ5QxSMmxnpr_duj2jCs7G9Iqpoqx4INPZwoLByU0nDrfOH7wrQbHSKDKf59tph8Mx9NOe7NjtozOMr893Rm13-V0c8yeijGrAsu3C6Bup6E/s1600/Dumb+Taste+of+Cuba.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
Apparently they were out of Dumb Norah Jones.<br />
<br />
Dumb Starbucks might be, as @YayLAMag says, a "one note joke" but that is a joke I didn't think of and I really respect. Case in point:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KBacCX9HsV1p3BMg2vGkh5SmwzGBxVoHZAanqMXiE-54jjhWc8J2WYeftBNOJbJfNt4HnXThwALjuO6OwpMCvUlgOHlk-a0dCpnw5Vciv5VbzrQYfZQxuY4x441B2ObvRPip8k2p6Tk/s1600/Dumb+Venti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KBacCX9HsV1p3BMg2vGkh5SmwzGBxVoHZAanqMXiE-54jjhWc8J2WYeftBNOJbJfNt4HnXThwALjuO6OwpMCvUlgOHlk-a0dCpnw5Vciv5VbzrQYfZQxuY4x441B2ObvRPip8k2p6Tk/s1600/Dumb+Venti.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
Their legal justification for being able to do this Banksy Style Business Art which reeks of Copyright Infringement or some Legal Throat Clearing Mumbo Jumbo Lawsuit-Waiting-To-Happen is detailed in a letter they have posted at the cash register:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenW-LgzrNkAnmXiEPQzb2B07gsOcJ9o3K46alSE-3viICvo7mht-SkMgL3XuMr0TlleMtrzXH8JWW_DVNDCXb5Im-1P7AtXFejxcSdxnfPetDIaf0X-GJB2LcRtyrg2TYwW0C_ARoyCI/s1600/Parody+Law+Dumb+Starbucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenW-LgzrNkAnmXiEPQzb2B07gsOcJ9o3K46alSE-3viICvo7mht-SkMgL3XuMr0TlleMtrzXH8JWW_DVNDCXb5Im-1P7AtXFejxcSdxnfPetDIaf0X-GJB2LcRtyrg2TYwW0C_ARoyCI/s1600/Parody+Law+Dumb+Starbucks.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
I hope no one sues them or makes them take it down. Because I like it. I hope some day there's a Dumb Target and a Dumb Vons and a Dumb Pinkberry.<br />
<br />
I didn't wait in line because I hate lines and I had already heard the coffee was bad and really, it wasn't the point. The point was that they - whoever they may be - did it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBSZw3EOt7tVm68Zcw65T10KQwS2ZyaBgXplRP49prw0KYMH9rN7r5LbYskhmCClesvUMI3LDLO6lU7y7s5RNVpAxcsDzsUrA6xsTzer_WFPu91W7oOr6Oy_kxOdgK2z4Nrq8EiZoPI0/s1600/Starbucks+Patrons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBSZw3EOt7tVm68Zcw65T10KQwS2ZyaBgXplRP49prw0KYMH9rN7r5LbYskhmCClesvUMI3LDLO6lU7y7s5RNVpAxcsDzsUrA6xsTzer_WFPu91W7oOr6Oy_kxOdgK2z4Nrq8EiZoPI0/s1600/Starbucks+Patrons.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And whoever "they" are, if "they" are reading this, Dumb Starbucks is Stupid Fresh.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
My hat is off to you.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Thank you and do this EVERYWHERE.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Dumb Starbucks is located at 1802 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Feliz, CA 90027. Find them on Twitter @dumbstarbucks.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMM-X7cuSFYpVE0RN9z-krdXdD3Pxpu01jKwEzIH1iKjC6-Vv54nSNSNgeKTyDnLicjzPoUcy5AEBnO-e81tSTHPZ1DsztQlNSivqgC1l0ja-CwPmtFIL5379tupHVzhWOq4f8QyIdhcs/s1600/Starbucks+Iced+Tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMM-X7cuSFYpVE0RN9z-krdXdD3Pxpu01jKwEzIH1iKjC6-Vv54nSNSNgeKTyDnLicjzPoUcy5AEBnO-e81tSTHPZ1DsztQlNSivqgC1l0ja-CwPmtFIL5379tupHVzhWOq4f8QyIdhcs/s1600/Starbucks+Iced+Tea.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dumb Iced Tea</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18290531075147217108noreply@blogger.com0