Stinks Good

LA River Ride

2008-12-28T17:08:00.000-08:00

Jenny and I took our first bicycle ride along the LA River, stretching from Fletcher Blvd. to somewhere around the Griffith Park Zoo. This bike trail is surreal to say the least. On one side is the 5 freeway, the other a lost but not forgotten river that plays host not just to trash and abandoned shopping carts but also to herring's, fish, and ducks. We encountered not only other bikers, but photographers taking pictures of the wildlife and even hispanic families spending the day fishing and playing by the water. I forgot to bring my camera but I surely feel a photo essay coming on. One thing that bummed me out about the path is how close it comes to the Autry museum without there being any possible way of getting off the path and accessing the museum or Griffith park in general. If anyone has information on accessing the park from the path, please let me know.

More on the LA river rides in the future i'm sure.

Test

2007-12-31T15:37:00.001-08:00

Sean of the Dead

2007-03-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

Jay Burger was one of my favorite joints to sober up at in my earlier LA drinking days. the place was perfect. But sadly the landlord booted Jay out, built a shitty business structure in its parking lot, but for some reason kept Jay's hut sitting in the midst of it all.

Its been brought to my attention that the hut will be reopened under the name Sean's Burgers. Unless Sean is some long lost brother of Jay...I don't have high hopes.

NELA?

2007-03-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

Our hood makes the NY Times

Jettisoned

2007-03-27T07:48:00.000-07:00

I failed to remember to bring my camera when i walked down to the Hill Country event with my friends...So when Jenny and the others had to leave, I charged my camera and drove back down to the event. About a half a block away from the intersection i saw smoke rising from the street and a few people running in panic and stopping traffic. When i reached the corner i witnessed what seemed to be an awesome car crash just seconds after its occurrence.

Unfortunately, such events aren't uncommon...but there were a few bizarre things about this crash. A. there was one car...and its front end was obliterated. B. the engine of the car had been literally Jettisoned from the car about 20 yards away.

In addition, a traffic light lay on the sidewalk in pieces. The woman didn't seem to be injured but the site was of substantial devastation. None of us at the scene could really make sense of it...we had no idea how the whole event could have happened. It seemed like the woman must have been going terribly fast...and how the hell did she manage to hit the traffic light...and how the hell did that engine fly out of her car like that. All a bit nuts.

The Hills Are Alive

2007-03-27T07:33:00.000-07:00

This last Saturday I dropped by the aforementioned SW Hill Country store to check out the event as well as the store itself. It was all I had hoped it to be.

The store is mixed with a good mix of cool and functional western supplies. Hip "Reverend Horton Heat" style shirts and suits made by such brands as Scully, big Elvis and Hank Williams belt buckles, tooled belts and the like. I briefly talked to one of the owners who was pleasant and helpful. She explained that the "for sale" sign on the outside of the building was the residuals of a moment of panic by her husband, but assured me that they are staying put for the moment.

The event drew a small but pleasant crowd. The bands were good, ranging from roots rock to more orthodox country. The crowd, a mix of locals dressed either in their best rockabilly, western, and even hillbilly garb. But you needn't be rooted in this culture to have a good time...its just a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon. There was a small grill off to the side, but I've been told that you are welcome to bring a cooler of whatever gets you through the day.

Its been assured to me that next months line-up will be great. The plan is to have this be a monthly event and i believe they'll also be showing movies there at some point.

Please check this place out...I think it teeters on success.

Hill Country

2007-03-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

SW Hill Country has all the makings of a diamond in the rough from a totally naive perspective. I say naive, because I have yet to step foot into this Western Wear shop. Since I've moved within spitting distance to it, the facade has intrigued me. What I do know about it is this: It's located on the outskirts of Eagle Rock on the corner of Colorado and Eagle Vista blvd. a quarter of a mile from Figueroa. The only other commercial space in the vicinity is Cindy's diner and the upcoming Larkin’s restaurant. The outside of the store looks as though this shop has been there for 30years but evidently it opened in 2004. Minimal online research has determined that this shop is devoted to the modern day Los Angeles equine enthusiast. It's an odd location for such a place. I haven't noticed much "western" culture in the Eagle Rock area and regardless the place is disjointed from any common shopping district. To be sustainable SW Hill must either have a devoted group of enthusiasts who come back, or something that sets them apart and attracts people to this out of the way pup-tent of western wear.

Although I've been on a horse maybe twice in my life, my yet largely untapped fascination with the classic days of Hollywood’s star cow-boys (i.e. Tom Mix, and even Clint Eastwood) make this place very promising for me. But here is what really suggests that this place could be something great. Through a relatively obscure mail list I’m on I was informed that SW Hill Country is putting on a Jamboree of sorts.

The details are as follows:

Saturday, March 24,
MUSICX SW HILLCOUNTRY PARTY – Eagle Rock
Parking Lot Party at SW Hill Country Western Wear Store
1412 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041 (Plenty of free street pkg)

1:00 – 5:00 pm
Free Music, BBQ and Suds!, Bring your lounge chairs or sit on our hay
bales. Bands are: Triple Chicken Foot (Bustin’ down Old Time Banjo and
Fiddle Music), The Running Kind (Classic Country Rock), El Ten Eleven
(An experimental instrumental musical journey; the next big thing!),
and Rockwood (Cosmic Country!)
Visit http://www.myspace.com/swhillcountry to hear the music. Store specials throughout the day!
For more information, call 323-256-2500 or http://www.swhillcountry.com

Sounds like a good time to me!

You aint Sh*t

2007-03-09T16:59:00.000-08:00

Sadly, once more a cherished piece of kitsch in LA bights the dust. My lovely "Burgers 'n Shit has closed its doors and painted over the 'n Shit part of the sign. Yeah, Main street downtown is slowly gentrifying and the crackheads and whores who used B'nS as their goto spot for....shit have been slowly swept from its streets. Art galleries, clothing shops, and one solid vietnamese restaurant (Blossom) have replaced the stench of homelessness. Personally, I would have kept the joint named the same, but just upgraded the shit. But it doesn't seem as though downtown business owners share my sense of irony.

Burrito Brothers

2007-03-02T12:20:00.000-08:00

Take a few minutes to check out this short film that combines a few of my favorite things, Mexican food, urban guarilla cyclists, and charity. It's an inspiration.

Found out about it here. Check out the comments and find one of many reasons I'm beginning to hate Curbed LA. But more about that later.

A moment

2007-03-02T12:14:00.000-08:00

It's been ages eh?

Sorry, lots to deal with. Moving, wedding, and a variety of other things.

Some ask, Doug since you've moved from Skunk Central will this blog persist? Well, my current answer is, as long as the waft of skunkage (i think we have a friend living under our house) remains and so do things that symbolically "stink good" I think i'm fine with keepin it stinky. With that said, I'm also thinking about starting a new blog soon, so be on the look out.

So, allow me to pick up the ball again...

What Is It?

2006-12-18T11:17:00.000-08:00

Ok, so the regulars should know of my historic fascination with the man Crispin Helion Glover. His acting debut as Mr. McFly in Back To The Future paved the road for some of the most bizarre character acting I've seen in commercial filmmaking. In addition to his oddball feature appearances, Crispin fashions himself an artist. Having published 5 different art books, a cd, and now a feature film of his own.

Yes, the premiere of Crispin’s directorial debut "What Is It?" has been making the rounds slowly from city to city. Crispin, devoted to the integrity of the film has dismissed any normal distribution channels for the film and instead, carries it under his arm from town to town for a 3day viewing of the film as part of a performance and Q/A experience.

My friend Jamie gave me the heads up of its appearance in Portland and quickly I heard of its arrival in LA. I've heard whispers of this movie for some years now...and never knew if it was actually released. The only thing I knew about it, was that it starred almost exclusively actors with Downs Syndrome. Enough said, Crispin must have outdone himself on this one I thought.

So tickets were purchased, I coaxing Huey and then Tiffany to accompany me to the night of weirdness. That night, we drove to Hollywood, paid too much for parking, and ate shitty pizza in a rush to get decent seats for the event. We arrived to the Egyptian theater and were greeted by a long line that we had to sit in even though we had purchased tickets online. We got in, and sat through some annoying commercials that you should expect to have to endure at a "non-profit" art house joint.

The lights dimmed and from an elevated stage/podium thing Crispin revealed himself wearing a black suit. He proceeded to recite/perform segments from 11 books he had written/created. Sometimes reading at break-neck speed only to arrive at a single word that deserved extreme emphasis. At times, the performance seemed to drag, but then picked up steam again. All in all, I enjoyed it having owned 3 of the books he read from.

He then presented the film with little description but assured us there would be a Q/A after the viewing.

Ok, so the film. Well, I've been rather wordy already.... and I'm not sure if I could really explain all that went into this thing. Yes, there are people with Downs Syndrome. They act, but you can barely understand half of what they say. There are Snails, and they get the raw end of the deal. Snails are crushed, salted on, sliced, and murdered in a variety of manners. There's Shirley Temple. There's a man in Black Face who pierces his cheek with a syringe. There are nude monkey women. There's a physically disabled man on a giant clamshell. How it all fits together is a stretch. In general, it sort of seems to be an upscale homage to the history of Avant-Garde cinema. Bunuel, Kenneth Anger, David Lynch...On the other hand, its kind of random and a bit offensive. I've always known that Crispin likes to be odd (and thats the thing, i don't think he is Odd, and I don't think he's posing to be Odd, he just likes to be Odd). But I never really thought he liked to be offensive really. And that is what was surprising about this thing...his intent to offend. He admitted that this film is pretty much just a F You to the studios though, but unfortunately it kinda feels like an F-You to the Downs kids as well.

Well, after the movie he rambled about some aspects of its history and intent. All interesting, but also kind of expected and derivative. Don't get me wrong, It was all I had hoped for and more. But I find that Crispen likes to lump himself into a collective of "shock-artists" instead of truly setting himself aside as a singular voice. He has assured us that this is the first in a trilogy of movies he's producing. He states that he's proud of this one, but the next is his passion and what he would like to be known for. I had several questions for Crispin, but unfortunately the Q/A just dragged too long and I wasn't called on so I left. Missed the book signing and all.

So, that seems to fill my weirdness quota for the next six months I think.

Keep the Hope Alive

2006-12-14T10:58:00.000-08:00

So its the season for giving right? Well, If you really want to give something special, please take a minute to read about young Callum Robbins. Son to J. and Janet Robbins. J has led the bands Jawbox and Burning Airlines and also played for the now under-rated GI back in the day. He's a fixture of the DC culture and an Indie Rock icon.

But enough about him, his son is very sick and needs every chance to fight it. A donation site via Paypal has been constructed. Drop a few dollars ( or several) in the pail and make a real difference in the hope for a family of truely decent people.

Sorry about the lack of entries in the last few months. Moving to Eagle Rawk has really been a full-time endeavor. I promise to write about the change in life as well as my Crispin Glover experience as soon as possible.

Peas, and Happy Holidays people.

Froggers

2006-10-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

FROGTOWN ART WALK
Date: Friday November 17th, 2006, 7-10 PM

At some point during the 1960’s, residents of the small community of
Elysian Valley stepped outside to a veritable flood of frogs blanketing
the streets and yards of the neighborhood. Legend has it that the
polluted water of the neighboring Los Angeles River caused a decline
in the natural predators of the native red-legged frog: the herons and
the crayfish. The resulting reptile explosion caused the frogs to
overrun the banks of the river and to stray into the neighborhood. This
event gave the area its enduring nickname, Frogtown. The construction
of the 5 freeway effectively cut the area off from the surrounding
communities of Echo Park and Silverlake. The re-zoning of the lots
between Blake Avenue and the river created an isolated pocket of
industrial land that co-existed for years with the single-family
residences across the street. Many of the warehouses and factories are
now being occupied by a range of designers, artists and artisans who
find that the lively streets and nearby river make for a provocative
work environment. We are pleased to announce the first Frogtown Art
Walk, a celebration of the creativity and the diverse talents of the
residents and businesses occupying the industrial buildings of
Elysian Valley (Frogtown). The Frogtown Art Walk is a self-guided tour
of the various studios and business venues located along Blake Avenue
in Elysian Valley. The tour will include the Li’l Frogtown Gallery of
Frank and Sharon Romero, a recently re-purposed plaster factory
now occupied by a series of artists, a stop at Lovecraft Biofuels for a
demonstration of their bio-diesel conversion process, visits to several
architects’ offices, as well as several photography and sculpture
studios. The boundaries of Elysian Valley (Frogtown) are the 2 freeway
to the north, the 110 freeway to the south, the Los Angeles River to
the east, and the 5 freeway to the west. The event hours are 7-10 PM.
The tour is free and open to the public. Free street parking is
plentiful in the area. For further details, images, and a map of the
tour sites, visit the Frogtown Art Walk website at
http://www.frogtownarts.com or call the office of Tracy A. Stone
Architect at (323) 664-0202.

Participants in the Downtown Art Walk are as follows:

1. Romero Studio & Lil’ Frogtown Gallery, 1625 Blake Avenue
contact: Frank & Sharon Romero, tel. 323 226 0356
www.romerostudio.net
The studio of artists Sharon and Frank Romero share space with the Li'l
Frogtown Gallery, a venue for emerging
artists. Frank Romero is featured in Cheech Marin's travelling
exhibtion Chicano Visions and is well known for his
murals and paintings depicting Los Angeles.

2. Paul Redmond Photography, 1839 Blake Avenue Loft #6
contact: Paul Redmond, tel. 323 823 5001
http://www.paulredmondphotography.com
Paul Redmond is a Commercial, Editorial and Fine Arts Photographer
shooting out of OPENshade Studio, a
daylight space in the back north corner of 1839 Blake Ave. Modus
Operandi: For work-People. For art-Not
People. Pressed to describe his work "Arbitrary Landscapes" seemed apt;
tending to take himself off his beaten
path, searching for places where humans have "affected their space with
not much thought (which can be really
cool), too much thought (which assaults your sensibilities) or just
plain bad thinking (my visual cafeteria)". Subject
matter can include architecture, landscaping, roads, detritus or civil
engineering. In 2006 people began crossing
the line into his artwork and he's "giving them the tour, figuring out
what to do with these new visitors." They may
be asked to stay.
For the Artwalk, parts of two current portrait series: "Kissing Booth"
and "spawn: father, child"
are displayed. Several photographs from "light leaks" a 2003 gallery
exhibit produced with a plastic $18.95 Holga
Camera will also be up.

3. Eddy Sykes, 1839 Blake Avenue Loft # 4
Contact: Eddy Sykes, tel. 323 369 2979
http://www.chersonprom.org
ChersonProm is a sculpture and architectural design studio, focused on
ambitious material applications in art and
architecture. They specialize in architectural-scale kinetic systems,
create projects from a combination of old-school
technical know how, and modern CAD/CAM applications. They manage all
aspects of their projects from design, to
fabrication, to installation.
During the artwalk, ChersonProm will be exhibiting fulll-scale motion
architecture prototypes/ astm testing
equipment, documentation of architectural projects, a custom-restored
1972 Alfa Romeo GTV , and new sculpture
project in progress.

4. Shawn Freeman Studio, 1839 Blake Avenue Loft # 14
Contact: Shawn Freeman, tel. 323 702 3428
http://www.starchariot.com
Shawn moved to LA in '97 to work as a graphic designer while he
finished his BA at Long Beach State. He
participated in his first group show at Art Share in April of '99. In
May of 2005 he moved into Frogtown at 1839
Blake Avenue. He now works as a Creative Director while continuing to
create digital illustrations, video and
sculpture. Recent work includes custom video projections for local band
Blackup.
Shawn's art vibrates with the balancing of good vs. evil. His digital
illustrations and installations voyage to current
cultural disasters, possible futures as well as realms beyond the
physical plane. Shawn draws inspiration from the
natural beauty within the compositions of Alphonse Mucha and Japanese
woodblock printers such as Hiroshige and
Hasui. During the art walk his studio will feature a range of videos,
illustrations from his latest series of images as
well as a sculpture installation.

5. Lovecraft Biofuels, 2029 Blake Avenue
Contact: Brian Friedman, tel. 213 291 8587
http://www.lovecraftbiofuels.com
Lovecraft Biofuels is a cooperative of people with a common goal of
promoting alternative fuels. Currently, we are
actively converting diesel-powered vehicles to run on new and waste
vegetable oil. To keep these vehicles on the
road, we are setting up a network of private and community fueling
stations across the country.
Interest in vegetable oil as a fuel may be for environmental,
political, and/or financial reasons. We're working with
people from all walks of life. Our customers include truckers,
activists, liberals, conservatives, and anyone
interested in clean burning, free fuel from renewable resources
produced in the US.
We will open our main headquarters in Frogtown, (where we do
conversions), for the Art Walk.

6. Tracy A. Stone Architect, 2041 Blake Avenue
Contact: Tracy Stone, Sameena Sitabkhan, Donatella Cusma, tel. 323 664 0202
http://www.tracystonearchitect.com
Tracy A. Stone Architect is a small office offering a full range of
architectural services with an emphasis on
sustainable design. Recent projects have incorporated such features as
retention basins, green roofs, thermal
chimneys, building integrated photo-voltaics, permeable paving, etc.
The North Central Animal Services Center (on
target for a LEED gold certification) for the City of Los Angeles, was
featured in a recent LA Times article (dated
October 9th, 2006) entitled “Fawning over the Fauna at the Shelter”.
The office currently occupies an old industrial textile factory as part
of a small live-work complex along the LA River.
A portion of the office functions as a part-time art gallery. During
the art walk, we will feature work by noted artist,
Andrew West.
http://www.cadmiumgreen.com
Andrew West has spent the last twenty years in an effort to push the
boundaries of painting. He has hung paintings
on trees, let them crawl around the floor, created site-specific works
outside of gallery spaces, collaborated with
other painters, and embarked on an infinite series of paintings. He
works with subjects most overlook; the
neglected, the microscopic, the unpopular.
His style has become increasingly improvisational over time, allowing
the process of painting to strip the objects he
works with of identity and function, and transform them into something
more. The task of naming these paintings
places them into an art historical context, establishing a new,
narrative potential.
Recently West has turned his attention to the topic of robots, an old
interest of his. Though his connection to the
subject comes from mid-Twentieth Century writers such as Asimov and
Simak, and science fiction films like
Alphaville and Bladerunner, his imagery is not drawn from the fantasy
worlds of western comics and Japanese
manga. Instead, he is focusing on the often unassuming and
non-anthropomorphic robots found in actual industrial
and scientific environments. Using such objects to build paintings
around, he looks to express the avant-garde
sentiments of these other media in order to investigate what shape a
compelling, relevant painting practice might
take in the future.
West received his Master of Fine Arts at UCSD, and lives and works in
Los Angeles. Besides there and San Diego,
he has shown in northern Mexico, Chicago, Amsterdam, and Tokyo.

7. California Modern, 2057 Blake Avenue
Contact: John Conneely, tel. 310 701 9349
calmod2@gmail.com
California Modern is a general contracting firm started with the goal
of building meaningful modern architecture. The
company builds on the premise that modern is an attitude and a way of
life, not a style. We work closely with
talented designers and architects to ensure that the client receives
full value and the work meets the highest
standards.
The founder and principal of California Modern, John Conneely, comes to
modernism with an extensive background
in traditional woodworking and building. With a B.S. in engineering and
advanced education in accounting, John
spent 20 years building monumental circular staircases and finish
carpentry to the highest level both in residential
estates and corporate executive suites. California Modern was built on
a commitment to quality and an overall
dedication to craft. With its own shop and an extensive network of
quality vendors, a high level of quality can be
achieved while working within reasonable budgets.

8. Paragon Cabinets West, 2900 Denby Avenue
Contact: Caleb Powell, tel. 323 270 8971
Paragon Cabinets West is currently completing the full reconstruction
of the original built-in cabinetry for John
Lautner’s Harpel House.

9. Steel and Things, 2900 Denby Avenue
Contact: Steve Graziani, tel. 310 864 9461
http://www.steelandthings.com
I work in direct welded steel, combined with hardwoods and glass,
achieving contemporary, earthy pieces. My
sculptures range from decorative to functional.
On the night of the art walk, I will have my gallery open with about
30+ pieces on display along with some food and
drink.

10. RAC Design Build, 3006 N. Coolidge Ave
Contact: Susan Fanfa, tel. 323-663-9898
http://www.racdb.com
RAC Design Build is an integrated design build firm that provides
comprehensive design and construction services
for residential projects. The company is guided by a desire to create
built work that resonates with permanence,
craft and clarity, and brings these same principles to the work process.
Please join us for a bite, a drink, and a visit during the Frogtown Art
Walk where we will have on view in our
workshop drawings, models, mock-ups, and photographs exemplifying a
variety of mediums, all of which are part of
our design and construction process.

11. Brand Name Label (Gabriel Renz), 3010 N. Coolidge Avenue
Contact: Gabriel Renz, tel. 213 434 0369
http://www.brandnamelabel.com
Brand Name Label and Jeremy Watson Fine Woodworking share a studio
space in Frogtown. Together they meet
the diverse needs of their clients by being a highly adaptable and
multi-disciplined fabrication shop. Capabilities
range from large-scale Kinetic Architectural pieces to fine furniture
and art fabrication. Please join us during the Art
Crawl for Drinks and Live music throughout the evening and into the night.

A Quick Update

2006-09-29T23:43:00.000-07:00

Hey kids,

So I've been swamped with things lately. As most of you know, Jenny and I finally found a place and there has been tons of organizing and scheduling of workers and whatnot. In addition, I've had a freelance job that's been consuming my "free time". All of that combined with my day job being busier then ever and the usual suspects something had to give. So I let the freelance go. I need the money, but I think I need the sanity even more. So hopefully I'll have an hour or two to devote to the blog again.

Los Apartmentes!

2006-09-05T21:54:00.000-07:00

I was unaware that there was a Los Angeles edition of Apartment Therapy. The site is occasionally a good source for interior design ideas.

Surrealism in September

2006-09-05T21:27:00.000-07:00

Southern California is hosting two art shows including 3 of my favorite painters.

Opening this friday at the Santa Monica Museum of Art is Enigma Variations: Philip Guston and Giorgio de Chirico. I had never realized how similar these two artists were but evidently De Chirico was a great influence to Philip Guston. Both have been a big influence on me. I'll be trying to make the opening being held this friday between 7 and 9.

Santa Monica Museum of Art
Bergamot Station G1
2525 Michigan Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90404

If you'd like to take a trip out of town down to San Diego and visit the SD Museum of Art and check out the show, Transmission: The Art of Matta and Gordon Matta-Clark. Matta is a rather under-rated surrealist who I only know a limited amount about. 10 years of living in LA and having still not made it down to San Diego, I think this show might be enough incentive.

San Diego Museum of Art
1450 El Prado
Balboa Park
San Diego, California

Snow In Silver Lake Pt.2

2006-09-04T12:13:00.000-07:00

A reply to my previous post yeilded these great images of Snow in Silver Lake in 1949. Pretty amazing. Check out a few more historic photos of the lake here. Thanks Angie.

Luscious Dough's Film Reviews

2006-09-04T12:01:00.001-07:00

Little Miss Sunshine: Believe the hype. A joyous clusterfuck. Good times.

Factotum: Wacktotume. There are some shining moments in this movie, but why don't you just read the books. They're usually a quick read anyway. Marisa Tomei steals the show in my opinion. I give her props for sleazing down for this role.

My Creative Friends: Scott at Ten10

2006-08-31T15:43:00.000-07:00

So I've been meaning to do an entry on my friend Scott Nadeau and his shop Ten10 for quite some time now. But I wanted to do it justice, get some nice picts and think it through a bit. But this morning Mr. Scott greeted me from the front page of the LA Times Home section and screamed "Good God Man, what are you waiting for?!"

Scott is one of the first business owners I met in Silver Lake when I moved here, and he's been a gracious man ever since. I've bought several pieces from him, so maybe he's just a good business man...or maybe its just that he tolerates me so he can spend quality time with my dog Lu. Regardless, he's a good guy and has exceptional taste in furniture, pottery, and sculpture.

Recently he has helped revive the careers of a handful of California area mid-century designers and artists. Stan Bitters, a sculptor and ceramics artist has gotten a helpful boost from Scott's enthusiasm for his work. So has the late David Wilkens. Who had an eponymous gallery show of his work curated by Scott. Each have had small articles in the LA Times recently.

Scott himself is a bit of a designer having developed a series of sofa's, chairs, and lamps that he sells exclusively in his store.I happen to have one of his couches in my living room (now covered in Lu hair unfortunately). As well, he and his father collaborated on a portable Fire Pit that I bought for my dad to use on his fishing trips.

Scott has a passion for clean lines and natural materials. Much of Ten10's products are dedicated to either things like Architectural pottery that bring structure to the natural environment or sculpture that brings an organic sense to ones living room.

I'll snap some pictures this weekend and elaborate on this posting, but I wanted to get something up because I had actually noticed quite a few people landing on my page after doing a search for Scott's name. The picture above is the top of one of Stan Bitters' "totem" sculptures that have been available at Ten10.

Ghost Ride The Whip

2006-08-31T08:08:00.000-07:00

The title refers to a ridiculous phenomenon that’s been sweeping the burbs. Kids get out of their rides while its still moving and proceed to dance around like idiots and sit on the top of the car while it careens into a tree, lamppost or another car. Brilliant (to paraphrase the English)!

But this entry really isn't about fools smashin up their parent’s rides. It's about realestate. My experience with it so far.
It really is like riding a car with no driver...or it at least feels like it. Allow me to explain.

My fiancé Jenny and I decided to get a place of our own. A place that we could start fresh in and grow into together instead of moving into one of our current places where one of us might feel out of place. Jenny currently owned a condo. So the first goal was to sell her place then roll the money over into our new place. So first things first, Jenny and I had to find an agent to sell her place. We decided to interview 3 different agents. All had slightly different pitches...but it was difficult to gauge who they truly were. I mean, it’s like trying to hire your own car salesman or lawyer....people we love to loath and hate to deal with. Hiring the devil essentially. So we decided on an agent and off we go, Jenny and I dance around the car while the invisible ghost we've just hired steers the car (or so we hope). The car (which is actually Jenny's home mind you) veered close to crashing then veered back on track. Finally, the ghost closed the deal and we were back in control of our path.

During this whole process, we found a house that we became enchanted with. So, you could think of it as two cars running side by side....Jenny and I trying to keep both from colliding, dancing around like witch doctors trying to cure the bizarre real-estate spells (i.e. forms and contingencies and the like).

Jenny and I still haven't completely regained control of our path, but we've gotten a good hold on the door and the car seems to be running straight. So lets hope it all ends well. I'll keep you updated.

Placeholder

2006-08-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

Hey kids, sorry about the lack of postings...super busy, stressed, lithargic. I have managed to aquire a proper Flickr account and will be trying to post more photos there. Point your browser here and check back often. I'll try to organize it a bit better as well.

Sunset Junction, What's Your Function?

2006-08-21T21:23:00.000-07:00

Regrettably I missed the Fuck Yeah fest this last weekend. It looked like a good line-up. My impression is, despite the 20dollar a day price-tag, that its integrity and passion for "underground and local" talent seems legit. At the very least, it seems like a solid weekend of booze and music. Seemingly unlike another local festival that arrives this upcoming weekend. Yeah, I'm talking about the Junction. Sadly, this festival has been going down the tubes for the last few years. It has been debated that the festival has been flawed from the get-go. Regardless, this year a festival that was supposed to be a fund-raiser and community-building event now also carries a comparatively steep entrance fee of a mandatory 15bucks at prime time. I remember when the event had a suggested donation of 5 dollars.

A mailing list I’m on has developed a flurried dialogue on the whole thing. Much of it about the question of whether its lawfull to force a price on the public for an entrance fee. There has also been talk of whether or not the person organizing the event is really donating all the money to youth organizations as he promises he does. Every year more questions and more problems arrise and the character slowly gets stripped away...

"OK, the fee ($12.00 before 4 PM, $15.00 after) is mandatory. The City Attorney did an investigation and nowhere in the City charter does it say someone using the city streets must let people in for free. The City Council members Garcitti's staff and two members of the Silver Lake Neighbor Council have been in negations with the Sunset Junction organizers to work out the following for the affected community: The neighbors one block north and one block south of Sunset from Bates to Edgcliff are entitled to two wrist bands per day per house hold. All they need to do is bring ID or something with their address to the
Sunset Junction office (Tsunamis cafe on Sunset and Sanborn) Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday of this week to get the wristbands. Also, in public meetings the fair organizer, Michael McKinley, has stated that no one will be turned away for lack of funds...."

Response: "I'd rather just boycott it instead...anyone interested in playing Mr. T's this Saturday night right back...."

Another observation on the new VIP section of the festival went something like this:

"This weekend's festival will have a "first-ever VIP hospitality lounge." It will be at the Cliff's Edge restaurant on Sunset, where the flakkery says that "headliners from the street fair and other special guests and celebrities can relax in The Oronoco Green Room, a custom-created environment that showcases the latest music-inspired trends and environmentally-friendly fashion and design." It's nice that they are finally carving out a special refuge for celebrities at Sunset Junction."

Response: I'm seeing the last pillars of Silver Lake's unpretentiousness crumble before my eyes. How sad that so few down to earth voices are left in this neighborhood to protest this latest concession to the phony and elitist Westside celebrity worship bullshit we were once immune from. ...
"A special refuge for celebrities", Yes, God forbid they have to come in contact with the rest of us. (there was a time when the bands actually were us.)The "environmentally friendly" design must be a catch-phrase for excluding any "non-celebrities" and normal people who might be seen and could offend the eye.
Perhaps what we really need is a "special refuge" from the "latest music-inspired trends and environmentally-friendly fashion and design." I just wanted to put the word out that not everyone here believes this hype or buys into this Bullshit. Many, like you, may try to create your own world within a world here in Silver Lake but the truth lives on here and will hopefully rise up to bite you on your lipo'd asses while you're savoring your Silver Lake gelato. I believe that this event was founded on the principal of peace, unity and tolerance among ALL the constituents of the Sunset Junction community. The Sunset Junction Street Fair has officially SOLD-OUT, and I don't mean tickets.

Just some food for thought. Me, well, I'm probably going to hit the Junction on Sunday simply because I want to check out The Cramps, a band I've always wanted to see. I'll be sure to feel a bit ashamed. Watch out Junction, I have a feeling in future years people will be saying Fuck Yeah.

Oh, by the way, I'm hoping to sell some Silver Lake Air Freshners at the Junction, so for no other reason maybe the event will fulfill some selfish marketing needs.

I See Crabs in LA

2006-08-21T08:01:00.001-07:00

This last Sunday Jenny and I stopped by Cliffs Edge restaurant for brunch to celebrate Jenny's official moving out of her condo and our official co-habitation.

If you're not in the know, Cliffs Edge is a hidden gem located right next door to the 99cent store on Sunset in Silver Lake. Enter the not descript parking lot (its so in not to have a sign on your joint here) and enter an oasis of Mediterranean charm. There is seating inside and out....but I really wouldn't know why you'd want to sit inside this place..the patio and terrace areas are what really makes this place special (ambiance wise). The place is managed by Pierre Casanova, who was formerly at Les Deux Cafes and Little Door. Makes sense.

The crowd is definitely more high-end then I'm used to seeing at a Silver Lake establishment.

We sat down and drooled over the menu for a bit. Nothing too out there, but tempting versions of standard Brunch food. Jenny ordered a spinach omelet with gruyere cheese and I ordered the poached eggs with crab hash and salsa. Jenny's omelet was damn good. I know, omelets are omelets...but the cheese definitely amped it up a notch. It was served with a Brioche toast that had some sort of fresh fruit compote spread...peach and orange rind maybe. Solid. But I have to say, if for nothing else, my egg dish was reason enough to visit this place. Small but perfectly poached eggs topped with a red and green salsa and sour cream sat upon a layer of crisp hash-browns and.....wait for it.....a mass of LUMP CRAB MEAT. Oh man, I’m telling you up until now I had yet to actually taste real crab in LA. Whenever I order crab-cakes anywhere in LA its always minced to hell and smothered in breadcrumbs or some crap. This was just pure chunks of crabmeat. Bliss. I don't think it was Blue Crab, but I’ll let that slide.

I had an expensive but tasty Bloody Mary to accompany the meal. The glass was rimmed with crab seasoning, a perfect compliment.

Since it was a celebration, we didn't stop there. We ordered a desert as well. Caramelized pear crepe with mascarpone ice cream. Jenny loved this dish. Not too sweet, but delish.

We let our meal settle and people watched (Mrs. Bestor walked in of course, and yet again didn't say hi....harrumph!). I then jetted over to Luxe for my haircut and stopped by Giant Robot for a toy fix. All in all a pretty good Sunday.

We'll be back for Dinner to this place I'm sure...or maybe another brunch and try one of their Kobe Beef Hamburgers. Cliffs Edge is at 3626 Sunset Blvd near Edge Cliff Blvd.

Tiki Teeeeeeeeeeee

2006-08-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

O.k. kids, its been a rather stressfull few weeks. We all could use a drink. So I point you to THE original Silver Lake/Junction/Los Feliz drinking spot. There may be some who have been around for longer (The Dresden perhaps) but the Tiki Ti is the epitome of what makes the area great.

The location. A tiny closet of a building that was once a Violin repair shop as well as the Republican local headquarters.

The owner. Three generations of the same family. Cooperatively owned. Opened by truely a revolutionary bar-tender who was witness and part of the Exotic Drink revolution in the 30's.

The decor. Cluttered with stuff beyond kitsch and bordering on obsession.

The hours. These guys are open when they want to be open and closed when they don't feel like being open.

The drinks. Expensive yes, powerful YES, delicious HELL YES. Don't dare order a beer, and if sweet drinks aren't what you're looking for then drop your seat over at one of the other venues....don't matter to them.

There are many things annoying about the Tiki Ti. Many of the regulars are ugly drunks. The periodic screaming of TORO eventually gets on your nerves. Its gets so damn crowded its hard to move. But that withstanding the joint is an original and should be cherished.

Please read about Ray, the original owner. An amazing guy. I was proud to have seen him pour.

I'm glad to see the place finally has a website. Its cluttered but filled with character, just like the joint.

Skid Row

2006-08-12T07:32:00.000-07:00

I'd like to mention an interesting dialogue that I've been following on my friend Spencer's blog Leftcoast Breakdown. The debate is about the seeming gentrification of Downtown Los Angeles. Over the last 5 years, LA has been making a concerted effort to "rejuvinate" its downtown. New shops and restaurants have been popping up, and more visibly Loft and Condo's have been springing up like dandelions. Some of them are renovating old historic buildings and wharehouses and therefor recycling the urban environment. Some are being built on tight pieces of land crowding the already crowded area. In the midst of it all are the homeless or near homeless. Whether they are drug addicts, mentally ill, or just down and out in one way or another...there are plenty of people living on the streets down here. Both working downtown and sharing a studio space with a friend of mine, i'm able to witness the state of things on a day to day basis. Our downtown has its Skid Row like most cities. But the thing that always amazed me about it....our skid row is actually called Skid Row. I mean, there's a sign that says Skid Row. Now, the extent of the homeless population far exceeds this one small street, but this just shows how blatent the whole situation is. And how does one solve this issue. Its terribly difficult. One would hope that there would be a way to help the homeless, use whats around them to help them and rejuvinate those who are willing. But being a middle class resident of this town, I'd also like to go to some of these new venue's and not get harrassed by crack-heads and skin-and-bones prostitutes. I certainly dont have the solution, but as I always say the solution begins with debate.

So first I direct you to the OpEd piece that sparked the conversation. Then to Spencer's retort. Then the conversation that continued.

Doggie Style Update

2006-08-11T21:15:00.000-07:00

So the owner of Doggie Style decided to do the right thing. I passed her on the street this morning, and she asked about Lu. I told her she was still healing, so she offered to pay for the vet bill. Later in the morning, she stopped by and paid me for the vet bill and much of the grooming bill. This was the right thing to do, and I give her credit for coming around. I'm still sure I wont step foot in her shop ever again.

Doggie Style?

2006-08-08T02:30:00.000-07:00

More like doggie abuse. Those are harsh words, but I really don't know how else to describe it. What the hell am I talking about?

Well, I believe I've mentioned the store down the street from me called LA Doggie Style. A few months ago a Chimp graced their doors for a Japanese TV program and threw me for a loop. The owners are a typically nice female couple that live just a few doors down from me.

Anyway, last saturday I figured I'd pamper my dog and get her groomed at Doggie Style. Actually, when I stopped by the store early on saturday morning I only expected to try and see what their rates were. But the groomer was there and offered to do the service right then and there...all convenient. I walked back home to get my wallet while the groomer did his thing. He called me saying Lu was all ready and that they only take cash. So I picked up Lu and paid the guy....in all the excitement not getting a receipt. Lu was peppy enough, and oddly kept shaking her head from time to time, but I thought nothing of it. Later in the day, she was still shaking her head and pawing at her ears. I finally got the hint and checked her ears. Inside was a lightly bloody but heavily gooey mess. It looked like something had irritated her ears, like they had been rubbed or scratched up. I was horrified. She's never had any issue with her ears before.

There was no doubt that the irritation was the result of some part of the grooming. I became more and more angry with the thought. I take my dog in for some royal treatment and instead she returns injured. What the fuck? The next day i stopped by and while the groomer was not in, I asked to speak to the owner (who i mentioned is my neighbor). She had me wait about 15 minutes and finally came out. She assured me that the irritation probably came from the groomer plucking some hairs and that it wasn't totally uncommon for her ears to be a bit irritated. She cleaned them out with a cotton ball, which Lu did not like at all. She said Lu would be fine.

Bullshit. Lu's ears are still fucked up. I deflect her paws as she tries to scratch her ears and crusty nasty stuff abounds in them. I'm taking her into the vet tomorrow. Once more, NO ONE that i've talked to who has their dog groomed has ever heard of such a thing.

I've gone through many struggles with Lu's health as of late, and the last thing i need is for my friendly local dog groomer to make her life more miserable. This is unforgivable. I don't know how these "animal lovers" can A. treat my dog so poorly and B. Not take responsibility for their actions.

It's 2:30 a.m. and I was woken up by the sound of lu shaking her head again. I can't sleep because the whole thing makes me sick. Thanks Doggie Style(LA) for fucking me in the ass.

The Hunt for The House

2006-08-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

Many of you know that Jenny and I are currently in the midst of the great hunt for a house. It's both exhilerating and terribly frustrating at times. Its a big step and a big purchase. So many facets.

But when its the House that Captain Beefheart recorded Trout Mask Replica...what's to ask? Pshaw to the neighborhood, schools, termite inspections, and questions of whether it has central air. It has Central Vibe man. Imagine the crazy shit that happened in this house.

But seriously folks, Regretably it's not in our price-range and the "lines" aren't quite right for our couch. Ironically enough, we did see a place this last week that was renovated by one Barbara Bestor and was close to amazing. It's in a neighborhood that I'm currently infatuated with, Adams Hill. But alas, again a bit over our price and didn't have central air.

Well, the hunt must go on.

Marry-Anne or Ginger

2006-08-05T08:52:00.000-07:00

I'm on a total Ginger kick these days. And despite the title, I'm not talking about the red-haired bombshell from Gilligan's Island (I'll always be a Mary-Anne guy, the pig-tails drive me wild). I mean, the root...more specifically the flavor of the root. The root itself is butt ugly.

Ginger Beer, Ginger Chews, Ginger Preserves, even Ginger Mojito's. It's all about the Ginger this summer.

Here's the run-down of Ginger Products I endorse.

I picked up a tin of Chimes Ginger chews while i was in Chicago. Cool retro tin, and the chews were good and spicey but virtually impossible to get out of the wrapper intact. The Ginger People make virtually the same product (without the cool tin) wrapped in wax-paper which makes it much easier to eat.

The Ginger People also make a fantastic Ginger Spread. Smear this stuff on a good piece of french bread with some Goat Cheese or butter and you've got yourself a fantastic light breakfast or snack.

For Ginger Beer, Blenheims and Jamaica's Finest make the spiciest. So spicey the fumes will make you choke if you don't watch out. I suggest drinking it out of the bottle instead of pouring it into a glass. Bundaberg makes a much more mild version, tasty with a splash of scotch or whisky.

While in Chicago, Jen and I went to Topolobampo. A high end mexican joint with fantastic Ginger Mojito's. I have yet to try and make them at home but will give you a heads up when I do.

I also love fresh Ginger Lemon Pear juice that many health food stores sell. I've seen it at Fresh Fields on the east coast and Erewhon here in LA.

That's all I have to say about that.

The Hip Elderly

2006-08-05T08:44:00.000-07:00

I kinda feel like I wanta to look like this dude in 30 years. Not necissarily like a surly asian guy (although i am surly, and i do go to Mitsuwa alot...so maybe it could happen). But I think this guy has good style. I like his hat, his glasses, his shirt. All casual but kinda cool. Just kinda chill you know? I think there could be worse modes to be in, when in your salad days. The one thing I don't want to be, is standing in front of a BK waiting for a bus. If this dude was riding a beach cruiser, he'd be spot on.

An aside, I took these pictures...completely randomly while I was sitting at a red light driving into work. I wish I could capture gems like this more often.

More then Meets the Eye

2006-08-05T08:29:00.000-07:00

They're filming parts of the upcoming Transformers movie in the industrial complex that includes the American Apparel building. The lot is filled with funky cars and semi's. Pictured here, you can catch a glimpse of Bumble Bee, a transformer who's alias is a yellow car. I wasn't much into the Transformers....they were a little passed my time. I was more a Shogun Warrior kid. Regardless, this may be the largest production I've seen in the lot. Stop by during the evening this weekend and you might see some cool shit going on.

Tiki Heaven

2006-08-01T18:26:00.000-07:00

Go for the Swap Meet, stay for the movies! Or if you don't have plans yet, check out the Tiki Invasion this weekend. This place looks RAD....yeah i said it. Mission Tiki in Montclaire.

Mr. T Pities George Michael

2006-08-01T18:21:00.000-07:00

A week or two ago, I listed Losanjealous.com as a new blog on my radar and worthy of yours. If you had any doubt, then surely you can't deny the geneous of their re-occuring segment, the Mr. T Visitors Guide. Sweet!

31 Flavors of Glendale

2006-08-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

A little trivia to start your day. Did you know that the worlds largest ice-cream store chain got its humble beginnings in Glendale? Specifically the Adams Hill district. Irv Robbins started his own shop, Starbird, in 1945. Mr. Baskin opened up a shop in Pasadena a year later. In 1948 they join forces, and the Starbird shop becomes the first BR which steadily grows to thousands.31 flavors, one for every day of the month. Read more here.

Languid LAist

2006-07-31T22:48:00.000-07:00

So, I know this may burn some potential bridges, but has anyone else noticed what Laurel (a workmate of mine) and I have noticed. LAist has really gone down the tubes. The writing is like reading a high-school english project...and the subject matter is not terribly current. To be brutally honest, they've never seemed truely "In the Know" but on the other hand scouring the blog on a daily basis I have discovered a few informative things from time to time. And this is why I come back. But in the last few months....nada. So what give's LAist...uninspired? I can certainly understand that feeling, but hey this is LA...there is always something to discover.

Waraku Cool

2006-07-31T22:30:00.000-07:00

Today, Cool Hunting highlited a shop on Abbot Kinney called Waraku. I discovered this gem of a shop over a year ago. They focus on designer sneakers and apparel, much of it from Japan. Once more, the wise Josh Rubin focused on the line of surf wear from Namitatsu. Namitatsu decorates its t-shirts and shoes with neo-traditional japanese imagery of Sumo-like characters surfing dragons and the like. Some of the coolest shit I've seen in ages. As well, Waraku sells a line of shoes called Patrick that are probably the coolest sneaks I've seen in ages, but sadly also carry a steep price-tag. Across the street from Waraku is the house-wares shop Tortoise. Also worth the trip to the west-side.

Living La Vida Lotus

2006-07-31T22:12:00.000-07:00

Although the Echo Park Lotus Festival was held several weeks ago, the lotus' themselves have just started to really show their full beauty in the last week. Those of you in the area should stop by, feed a goose or two and check them out.

MorYork

2006-07-30T22:55:00.000-07:00

Saturday night, I hit the David Wilkins opening I mentioned the other day. The show was great. The guy’s stuff was beautiful. Much of it were maquettes for larger works and process stuff. There are three bronze sculptures that I could only dream of owning. The show is up for a very limited time. I encourage you to check it out. In addition to the Wilkins show there is a permanent collection of trinkets and oddities created or collected by the owners of the space. Chandeliers made out of buttons and bottle caps, bizarre found objects (including what could only be described at Cock Rocks) and things that blur the definitions between the two...definitely a marvel.

The space, in and of itself is a piece of history and art. Having acted as a Grocery store and roller rink the building was built in the 30's and If you watch Reservoir Dogs....you may find the space familiar.

Next weekend, the gallery will be hosting the Ave. 50 Studio Fundraiser. Avenue 50 Studio focuses on artwork by Latino/Chicano, the donation is 20bucks. Check it out. Saturday August 5th at 7pm. Again the gallery is located at York and Ave. 50 in Highland Park.

Thanks to Scott and Johanna for being such gracious hosts.

The Shirting of Nairobi

2006-07-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I mentioned my friends trip to Kenya. My workmates and I got a collection of shirts to give a group of kids living in a orphanage outside of Nairobi, run by a single nun. Well, I finally got some snapshots of the kids in their brand new duds. The gifts went over really well evidently and my friends Kelly, John, and I hope to put together some other fund-raising type things for the cause. Thanks to everyone who contributed. I'll keep you posted.

Year Old Stink

2006-07-28T07:23:00.000-07:00

Stinks Good turns 1 today. I've been doing alot of self-reflection about this whole Blog thing lately. When I have a few minutes, I'll give you my perspective on it. For now, thanks to all my friends who have come by regularly and to all you Kiefer Sutherland tweekers.

Sculptor David Wilkins

2006-07-27T23:05:00.000-07:00

Want to get hip to the Bomo Vibe, stop by 4959 York Blvd. in Highland Park on Saturday. My good friend Scott Nadeau from 10ten furniture is curating a Eponymous show of Sculptor David Wilkins at Mor York Gallery in Highland Park. Mr. Wilkins passed away last year I believe and wished for Scott to repesent his body of work. The show will be well rounded in showing maquettes as well as full-sized versions of many sculptures. David's work can also be seen around the Los Angeles area including Padadena's Cal Tech. The opening, again, is Saturday from 5pm to 10pm. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 - 5.

I believe there was a mention of the show in Thursday's LA Times.

The Bomo Effect

2006-07-27T22:21:00.000-07:00

Barbara Bestor, local architect, released her book Bohemian Modern/Living in Silver Lake a few months ago.

The book features houses, shops, and people who define what Bestor believes to be a significant cultural force of eclectic and design oriented artists and creative types.

If you live in the area, or if you know Barbara...its like looking at a yearbook of people you probably see quite often. In part, it seems kinda cool. Makes you feel like you're part of something hip and influential. On the other hand, it seems kinda self-serving. Like through this book, a particular segment of Silver Lake (or should we say those east of Hollywood) have branded themselves instead of letting someone outside of the community attach the term.

I must also mention that this book suffers from the same problem that the LA Times article Ritzing up Silver Lake has with painting Silver Lake's neighborhood way too wide. But to be honest, I probably do the same thing. Echo Park, Elysian Park, Atwater, and many other neighborhoods get lumped into the Silver Lake realm. Funny, Echo Park has tons more historic significance then Silver Lake, but SL's cache is tremendous these days and it certainly not Barbara who is solely responsible for that.

I guess the whole thing is a bit close to me personally. For a variety of reasons. Regardless, I feel like the book is rather essential for those of us living in the area. And yeah, i got the limited edition signed soft-cover (with the droog inspired invisible spine) at A+R (a joint that opened just too late to get mentioned in the book). I recommend purchasing it over Amazon, where you can buy both the hard and soft-cover for about the same price i bought mine. I certainly hope that some day I may live in a house deemed worth of Bomo Vol. 2. Its a cool funky book. If not a little over designed.

It's all about the Buckle

2006-07-27T16:53:00.000-07:00

While in Michigan a month or so ago, My friends and I popped into a small little diner for some lunch. After an adequate lunch, we peered up on the chalkboard at the special deserts available. Blueberry Buckle stood out like a glorious epiphany....Oh yes, Buckle we all conversed...Yes we must all have the Buckle...its like a Crisp or a Cobbler right? The discussion was frenzied. The waiter came over and we ordered 6 Buckles. The waiter replied...."You do know what a Buckle is don't you?" We all, awkwardly said...."well, yes we think so...but just to make sure....what exactly is a Buckle?" He explained, and although it wasn't quite what we had in mind...after showing us a slice we all decided we would like the Buckle regardless. It was delicious!!! Not only did the taste remain with us, but Buckle talk persisted for days. Even as I returned home, we chatted about the Buckle. Well, the latest is this amazing list of Buckle Like concoctions and their defining characteristics. Never have sweet goodness and poetically whimsical names been consolidated into such a blissful list. Enjoy.

Betty: This dessert, dating from Colonial times, is made of stewed fruit and buttered bread crumbs.

Buckle: Buckles are a cake-like mixture of berries or fruit with a crumble layer on top. Sometimes the berries or fruit are mixed into the cake batter. In other recipes, they form a middle layer between the crumbled topping and the cake.

Clafouti: Cake or pudding tops the fruit.

Cobbler: Fruit is placed in a baking dish and topped wit biscuit dough. The dough may cover the fruit or be dropped in biscuit size dollops.

Crisp: Fruit filling is topped with a crunchy layer crumbled over the top.

Crumble: same as a crisp.

Grunt: Stewed or baked fruit topped with rolled biscuit dough and baked.

Pandowdy: The rolled out dough on top of the fruit becomes crumbly.

Tart: A bottom crust of pastry with short sides topped with fruit.

Thanks to Maya and the Boulder newspaper for the list.

Personal Updates

2006-07-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

To all of you who are friends of mine who I don't get to talk to very often and check this site to keep updated on the various ups and downs of my life, I give you the following lowdown.

a. Lu is feeling much better. She has a spur between two of her vertebra that has been aggrivated and causing her pain...the thyroid issue may very well be the result of that. Two weeks of anti-inflammitory pills and some other stuff and she's back to her peppy self.

b. Jenny may very well have sold her condo....but we have certainly learned to not count our eggs until they're hatched...so keep your fingers crossed.

c. I got my tire fixed on my bike, and am biking to work again. In this heat, not so much fun.

Nerds Stick Together

2006-07-27T08:41:00.000-07:00

Hey a quick shout out to LA City Nerd who, out of nowhere, linked me on his swank blog. Thank you sir (or madam).

Anyone coming here from Mr. Nerd's site, please take a few minutes to browse around....I'm sure you may find something of interest. I'm certainly not a full time blogger, so the organization is not the best.

Snow In Silver Lake

2006-07-27T07:58:00.000-07:00

Sweltering hot weather and humidity that reminds me of my days in Washington D.C. is one thing, but I think we'd all be even more perplexed if we saw snow outside our front doors.

The picture above is a postcard rendition of a staged snowstorm that Max Sennett put together when he had his studios in the Edendale/Silver Lake area. But evidently, it truely did snow here at one time. In 1949 to be exact. The Edendale Post Office (on the corner of Alvarado and Glendale) has apicture of the snow but I haven't been able to find any online.

More Shattered Dreams

2006-07-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

Two times in as many days my dreams have been crushed.

Ya see, I guess at heart I consider myself an idea guy. A dreamtime philanthropist without a cent to my name even. I come up with ideas that stick in my head. I know they're good ideas. I tell my friends and they say, "yeah those are good ideas, you should do them." And then I don't....I just keep them as ideas. Largely out of fear of what it takes to make an idea real. Lots and lots of money and time. I have neither. But maybe I'm kidding myself, maybe I'm just too lazy to really follow something through. Who knows? But I'm just being dramatic. If I really wanted to follow through with something, just because a version of it exists doesn't mean there isn't room for one more. I mean, there's always room for one more Thai restaurant, there's always room for one more Bar...

So what am I babbling about? Well, yesterday I stumbled upon MenuPages LA. This site essentially does what my friend Rob and I have been discussing for years. A web site that houses menu's from all your favorite restaurants, so you needn't keep that sloppy folder stuck in some random drawer. You know, that mess of menu's you have...of pizza joints and cheap Thai. It's a great resource. Check it out, and if you think it could be better, send me comments and maybe Rob and I will get off our butts and give it a run for their money....or we'll just sit back and say....yeah I coulda done that.

Then, this morning Jenny brought to my attention an article in today’s LATimes. The article titled Ritzing Silver Lake is about a woman who plans to open two Hotels in the Silver Lake area. One an hip moderately priced place where the old Sunset Pacific hotel stands. The other, a seemingly much more posh event in the Paramour Estate (Jenny and I briefly checked out this place for our wedding). This is another concept I had talked to my friends about several times. SL has needed a decent Hotel for years. In fact, my friend Cinnamon and I concepted a B&B in Silver Lake back when I worked at KPE which seems like a lifetime ago (and to give C her props, I believe it was originally her idea). Anyway, again, regardless of whether I created it or not, It's a good idea and I'm excited to see its fruition.

And just for the record, I wont go off on the writer of the article who lumped the Sunset Pacific, Short Stop, and Lucky Joy (i believe its Little Joy jackass) into the Silver Lake neighborhood which I'm sure will have Echo Park and Los Feliz hipster spinning in their couches.

So who wants to give me a million dollars for my next bright idea? Clearly we can't let this keep happening.

Keepin Cool

2006-07-25T17:45:00.000-07:00

It's hot as balls out there. Yeah, we've all been complaining about it all week. It makes me lithargic and grumpy. Even my trusty 1940's Vornado fan can't keep me comfortable right now. But i don't blame the poor little baby. This fan, that I found while living in Richmond VA. at a swap meet has kept me cool with its soft steady breeze for the past 10 years! I just discovered that a reproduction of the fan is available on Amazon. If the repro is just as dependable as the original, I highly recommend this puppy for small spaces.

Today, in a fit of heat induced frustration a co-worker and I drove to Office Depot in search of a desk fan to keep us "less-hot".
Again, Vornado has come through with a mini-fan called the Zippi. The Zippi is a little peculiar, what with its cloth blades and mini steel torpedo body.

Steal this Post

2006-07-25T17:40:00.000-07:00

The Coup are playing at the Knitting Factory this friday. Jenny and I are going. C'mon out and get your agro-groove on with us.

Surly Doug, Manic Wayne

2006-07-24T13:20:00.000-07:00

So this last weekend was unreal. The heat and humidity just ruined everything. Put me in a surly mood. Yet, I had high hopes that the show at the Bowl on Sunday would crack through the oppressive heat and funk of the LA air and my mind.

I was very eager to see the opening band Os Mutantes, as I mentioned before. So after some traffic and a quick nosh in the park, we made it to our seats just as they took the stage. I enjoyed them, but just as with most aging rekindled bands from the 60's, the stage presence wasn't all that. Regardless, the mix of Bossa Nova and Santana was perfect for the muggy day.

Thievery Corporation took the stage soon after. Although being from my hometown and having seen them in their element before...for some reason I wasn't too eager to see these guys. I try to like their albums, but they fall short for me most of the time. With that said, I give them props for being able to get the crowd going and the live performance added a needed energy to many of the songs. The two guys who are actually TC, didn't seem like they did all that much...I was kind of confused as to where they fit in. The last three songs really got the place jumping, only to be dampened by the last song where Wayne Coyne stepped up to sing in a barely audible raspy tone.

After a bunch of stage altering and maintenance....Flaming Lips took the stage, and so did dozens of St. Nicks, elves, aliens, and topless chica’s. Wayne informed us that the show was being taped for a DVD that would come out at the end of the year and urged us to go Ape Shit. Big white bubbly balloons, Confetti, and other insanity filled our vision while the band began a muted lackluster version of Race for the Prize (from my favorite lips album). After the song, Wayne again, told the audience to get into it and get nuts. The Sabbatical song was next, and pretty fun. Except that Wayne's voice was so far down in the mix and raspy that it sorta fell short. Oh, and after....he asked us to....yeah, get nuts. In fact, there wasn't a point in between any songs where Wayne wasn't pleading to us to make him look good for his precious DVD. The end of the show was salvaged with a glorious rendition of War Pigs by Black Sabbath.

Wayne, you're starting to annoy me. Your desire to milk your music for cash is starting to bother me. DVD's, JC Penny, and Snotty concert antics do not make a respectable rock act in my mind.

Japanese Beer Garden

2006-07-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

At the corner of 2nd and Los Angeles downtown is the New Otani Hotel. Catering, typically to Japanese clientelle i believe, the third floor features a pleasant japanese garden. My fiance, Jenny, had her sweet 16 party there back in the day. Recently it seems the hotel fell into disrepair, but signs in the hotel have been hyping a complete renovation.

Over the last few weeks friends from work and I have hit there new Beer Garden at the japanese garden. Pitchers of Sapporo are 18bucks and you can order beef, chicken, and veggies to grill on a mini electric hibachi on your table.

For downtown workers, this place is a great spot to detox/intox after a hard week at work.

Last Minute Mutantes

2006-07-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hey, anyone reading this before they go to see the Flaming Lips tonight. Make sure you get there early (7pm) to check out the opening band Os Mutantes. They were written up in the LA Times weekend section as well as on NPR recently. Although this 60's Brazilian Psychedelic band made a resurgence in the 90's I was totally oblivious to it. Regardless, I finally got hipped to them this last week and they're not too shabby. Bossa Nova meets Santana and the like. Really fun stuff.

Bless This Heap

2006-07-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

The annual Blessing of the Cars will be going down on July 29th. Gearheads bring their Pre68 hotrods to be blessed by an actual Catholic Priest. The rest of us come to gawk and oggle the cars and their "made up to the nines" owners and fellow admirers. This is Rockabilly central people. Damn good people watching. The ubiquitous Jay Leno usually shows up at some point, if you're into big chinned hacks.

Ragatta Absurda

2006-07-22T07:25:00.000-07:00

The Echo Park Yacht Club Presents:

PADDLEBOAT RAGATTA 2006
SUNDAY, JULY 23, NOON
ECHO PARK LAKE BOAT HOUSE

The time has come once again to decide who is the master mariner and ruler of the Echo Park high seas. A race to the death (or finish) by crews of 2-4 sailors will take place at noon via paddleboat upon that treacherous body of water known to most as Echo Park Lake. Pirate, mariner, mermaid attire encouraged. Water pistols and other nefarious means will not only be tolerated, but rewarded! Awards and food from the sea at nearby Happy Coast (Costa Alegre) to follow. Paddleboat rental is $10/hour with $20 deposit.

Brought to you by the LA Cacophony society.

Rubber Soul

2006-07-21T08:03:00.000-07:00

On monday of this week, about a third of the way into work, my bicycle tire blew. A big nail punctured the "green slime" protected inner tube and my morning was killed.

For the last few months, I've been pretty good about biking into work an average of 3 days a week. I've been really happy with it. My rough estimates indicate that i'm probably saving $15bucks a week in gas. I'm not polluting the city as much. I'm getting a good amount of excersize ( its a solid 5 miles in and another 5 miles back and by another loose estimate I'm burning potentially 800calories each day I do it). Unfortunately, Its all built muscle in my legs but hasn't taken anything off my chest or stomach which is in dire need of reduction.

So now I need to simply change my tube, which i fear may be complicated by the inner tube that came with the bike containing this funky green goo that supposed prevent flats. Regardless, I'll take a stab at it and hopefully get it fixed in time for a sweltering trip in on Monday.

Bikely is a cool but relatively young site that aims to help people exchange bike routes around their respective cities. Especially in LA this could be a useful tool since the streets here are so damn bike unfriendly.

My purpose for this entry....well i'm not sure. I guess maybe to encourage you to dust off that Huffy and get out on the road. But if you do, make sure you bring an extra inner-tube.

More Evidence of Al Gore as Human Being.

2006-07-18T15:04:00.000-07:00

Good lord, why wasn't the country able to see THIS when Al was running for President? Could the world have been a different place?

Silver Lake Explained

2006-07-18T14:40:00.000-07:00

Many times I've seen my fair neighborhood listed as Silverlake and/or Silver Lake. City Nerd sets the record streight.

Tape Babies

2006-07-17T22:33:00.000-07:00

Those of you who are reading this in or near my home town of Washington DC may already be familiar with the work of Mark Jenkins. His urban works seem to have been popping up around the city for the last few years. Those of you who haven't seen his work may be as fascinated as I am by his creepy yet whimsical pieces. Many of them created from "molded" layers of packing tape. Any Washingtonians who have snapped your own images of his work, please send them my way.

Oddly enough, there is also an enigmatic music journalist in DC with the same name. Does anyone know if there is a relation?

Polar Inertia

2006-07-17T22:23:00.000-07:00

Polar Inertia contains some great photographic urban anthropology. Images of Taco Trucks and Burger Joints in our fair city.

Listless Lu

2006-07-05T09:24:00.001-07:00

Over the past 5 or 6 months my dog Lu has mellowed out. Extremely mellow, you might say outright lazy. She don't run like she used to, she don't wag her tail like she used to. And recently, she seems kinda depressed.

So the other day, Jenny urged me to take her to the vet, and we did. At first discussion with the vet, he mentioned that it could be neurological, for she has been stumbling alot and drags her feet when she walks. This really freaked me out, I instantly imagined some sort of degenerative desease that would keep stealing away my once happy go lucky pooch and turn her into a hobbled ghost. It was too much to think about. Lu stayed at the vet for a few hours for a work-up, blood tests and the like. Upon our returning to pick her up, the vet lessened the possibility of the neuro thing...but we'd have to wait for the blood tests to come back.

Turns out she has Hypothyroid, her Thyroid gland isn't producing this stuff called T4 enough. Hopefully this is the complete and only reason for her condition. So now, in addition to enzymes for her tummy, Lu gets to take two pills a day to increase her T4...and hopefully bringing her back to her goofy self. I'm quite relieved to say the least.

Summer Flicks

2006-07-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

I've managed to check out three different "non netflix" films in so many weeks. That's impressive for me....for some reason I just haven't been making it out to the theaters enough.

Sketches of Frank Gehry: I was pretty impressed with this movie. I think alot of SoCal people want to not like Frank...he's become such an icon...and the goto guy for anyone who wants to think they understand contemporary architecture. But if the movie holds any truth, there isn't any reason not to think this guy is totally legit (although it was directed by his pal Sydney Pollack). It's interesting to see into the mind of a person who creates art that, unlike a painting, is imposed upon the collective viewership of any given city. And the movie is largely about the mind and instinct. This is where i really think this film hits the mark where others don't. I got a good impression on where Frank is coming from...and I admire it.

Wassup Rockers: My company presented a sneak peak of Larry Clarks (Kids, Gummo) new film at our factory. Jenny and I went down to check it out. We felt super old, the event drawing almost purely pre-twenty year old skate rats. The movie was projected onto a big white sheet outside and the sound was miserable. Assuming we weren't missing any insanely deep dialogue through the wind muffled speakers I'd have to say this one was a clunker. Replacing Clark's typical shock-value with derivative story-line, I felt like this was a failed attempt at creating a Suburbia for the Latino's of East LA. Instead of understanding their day to day environment though, we follow them to Beverly Hills where Zaniness and Danger ensues. Whatever.

Nach Libre: I had very low hopes for this one, and I was pleasantly surprised. Nacho Libre was a very entertaining and incredibly well art-directed summer flick that was perfect for Jack Black. Go check it out. Enough said.

In Your Area

2006-07-04T11:58:00.000-07:00

A few other cool LA oriented blogs i've recently found.

1. Atwater Village Newbie
2. Los Anjealous

Time Piece

2006-07-04T11:32:00.001-07:00

I've recently really gotten into watches. I've periodically owned one...but I've either broken them all or just slacked on replacing their battery or something. All of them, previously, no more expensive then like 60bucks. But in reply to my engadgement ring to Jenny, she bought me a watch. So I obsessed. I wanted something pure and timeless. I've found that i'm not really a metal band guy...mostly leather. Anyway, So I settled on a Hamilton Jazz Master. Moderately priced but very good looking and well made. I was torn between the Quartz or Automatic. Quartz supplies more acurate time, Automatic is wound by the motion of your wrist and can lose time depending on how much you wear it but looks cool with all its funky metal moving parts. Hamilton is the oldest existing american watch company (although now owned by Swatch) and evidently created the first Electronic watch.

So now I'm always on the lookout for cool watches. Not necissarily to buy (not until i make that first Mil), but to admire. Yeah, if I had the cash, i could see getting pretty into it. Anyway, I think I'm once again on the front end of a trend. 121 Time is a new website that lets you customize the complete creation of your watch. Pretty impressive. Cool Hunting just posted an interview with a guy who runs the site Watchismo. I've even found a few blogs devoted to the Watch.

You may think your cell-phone is your end-all be-all gadget, but a good watch is still damn handy.

It aint all Youtube these days.

2006-07-04T11:15:00.000-07:00

Don't have VH1? Or simply rather hand-pick your retro-video reunion? check out "I Heart 80's Music"

Nobody Bodders Me!

2006-06-28T22:56:00.000-07:00

During my vacation I spent a pleasurable few days with some old high-school friends and there spouses and children. We all grew up in Bethesda Md., just outside of Washington D.C.

After coming home, we all corresponded about how fun it was hanging out again…and somehow the subject of an old commercial for a local Karate business was mentioned.This prompted me to do some research. As was commented, this one commercial is impossible to find. Strange, for we all remember and love it. Even stranger is all the other ephemera from 80’s D.C. television I was able to find.

YouTube, the Mecca of Video and animated Ephemera revealed a bounty of old commercials from Channel 20, an independent TV station that filled my weekends with Sci-Fi and Classic Comedy films as well as shows like UltraMan, Johnny Socko, and Lancelot Link.

This thread provoked me to do a search for the host of Channel 20, Captain 20 and his alter ego Count Gore De Vol. Amazingly, I found plenty of information on Mr. 20…purely because Dick Dyszel himself has been devoted to keeping it alive. When not supplying Podcasts of classic and new Count episodes, this man DJ’s Weddings and whatnot.

Still, very little information on the original commercial that sparked this obsession. My workmate, who also grew up in Maryland was able to come the closest to finding the Holey Grail of District TV. Jhoon Reee, the namesake of this business is still alive and well it seems, and is taking himself into the World Wide Web. His site is currently under construction, but promises to launch in mid July. Will Mr. Ree’s site contain the 30 second spot we have all stored bits of in our collective unconscious? We’ll see..

If anyone finds more classic media from our nations capital or even more importantly, finds the Jhoon Ree “Might for Right” commercial, please drop me a line.

On Returning

2006-06-24T14:38:00.000-07:00

Hey kids, I'm back from my whirlwind tour of Chicago and Michigan. Check out my Yelp page for some reviews of a few choice spots. I promise I'll get back to posting soon!

A Quicky

2006-06-13T23:03:00.000-07:00

Check out this cool video about the history of one small but influential sample.

A Heads Up

2006-06-13T22:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately. So much shit going on. Parents were in town, Jenny's house fell out of Escrow (back on the market kids, so if you're looking, snatch it up), Tons of work fulltime and freelance, and just typical insanity.

Jenny and I are leaving for Chicago tomorrow to chill and visit friends (you all know who you are). I'm sure I’ll have tons to report on when I get back. In the mean time, check out my Yelp reviews. I just conquered 100+ reviews which is cool.

One thing I think i should mention. My friend Spencer and I were talking about the tragedy of the final demise of the Urban Farm in South LA. I had been following this story for quite a while and had meant to Blog it several times. This event just seems like a senseless one. I mean, it just seems like an overt attempt by both the city and business hungry fucks to destroy an efficient and self-sufficient community service. I mean, LA is one of these city's that constantly bitches about the lack of money to help the poor and empower the city.... So people take over a barren piece of land and build a thriving garden to feed themselves...and just when it feels like a success and part of the community, a bunch of heartless assholes decide to take it over and build a parking lot or storage facility or something. Really ridiculous. And you know what, I feel partially responsible. Several times I thought that there was some small thing I could do to raise awareness or help in some small way...but I didn't. Today, after the fall of course, I thought of how easy and cool it would have been for AA to supply some sustainable shirts for someone like myself to create a cool design to print on...and then sell as a fundraiser. Threads did a similar thing for Katrina victims and I believe they raised over a million dollars or something(ok, a mil is expecting alot, but you know, maybe a couple hundred). If I or AA had helped to raise money we could've potentially helped to buy the property and give it back to the citizens. But instead, I obsessed about trivial things and drank my wine. I'm not going to beat myself up about it, but I'm not going to ignore it either. These are small but effective things we can do for our world, our city. It aint always impossible.

The other month, I think I mentioned that the web team at AA and I collected money to buy cloths to send with my friends who were going to Kenya. The cloths were delivered to an Orphanage and evidently was a success. We hope to do more fund-raising and donation type things for this place. I'll post pictures and a more involved story as soon as I can. This is what I'm talking about...It may not change the world...but it does effect needy people. That's cool. For a person like myself, who has no savings or investments, that’s huge.

ps.
16 Million (i just heard) is what the owner was willing to sell the land for. What a fucking saint. And now he says he wont consider selling out of principle. This guy is unbelievable. He expected them to beg and instead they stood up for themselves and now he's accusing THEM of being rude and insensitive. I'm speechless.

In The Slaw

2006-06-13T21:48:00.000-07:00

This Spring seems to be a great season for music. I'm hearing a lot of stuff I'm liking.

The Coup's new album Pick a Bigger Weapon has definitely infected my itunes. I've been listening to it obsessively. Its like an Outkast album with politically subversive lyrics. Really great. Fairly heavy lyrics delivered under the guise of seriously funky songs. Who wants to check them out later in July with me?

The Raconteurs album is kicking my ass as well. Jack White with a real band and some friends to even out his goofy tendencies. Some are saying that this album is a little too all over the board...but since when are any of the White Stripes albums a lesson in focus. This thing ranges in influences from the Beatles to Sabbath and its all good in my book.

The new Mission of Burma album is maybe one of the best they've ever made. Pure Art-Punk. If you remember these guys from back in the day, don't count them out...they're still amazing. If you've never heard them, discover a band that's just as much of any influence as Gang of Four but a bit harder to imitate.

Lots of other stuff.

Oh, one thing. I saw a JC Penny commercial recently featuring Flaming Lips Yeah Yeah Yeah song. Holey crap, common guys, do you really have to sell out that fast. Using a great song about abusing power gets co-opted to sell suits and crappy clothing. Rather sad.

Blok Party

2006-06-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

Yolk is celebrating its 2nd year anniversary on its block of Silver Lake Blvd. and its throwing a party. There will be food and beverages (including promised chocolates) and a showing of 100 new Blok designs created by my friend Rebekah Potter who is flying all the way from Jackson Mississippiiii! I believe the celebration starts this saturday around 4. I'll be out of town for the shindig unfortunately. Please stop by.

A Million Bucks

2006-05-31T22:44:00.000-07:00

So, its official, the AA online store made its first million dollar month. Not sure why I got soo into watching the numbers, but it was rather exciting. According to sources, last year we made around 450k on the same month. Thanks to anyone who actually made a purchase and congrats to my workmates. O.k., enough greedy capitalist banter.

A Quicky

2006-05-31T08:06:00.000-07:00

Cool LA Crime Blog hosting a tour of Bunker Hill in all its seediness.

A Pathetic Sales Pitch.

2006-05-31T07:52:00.000-07:00

I usually don't like to talk about work much. But today could be a big day for us in the Web Devision of AA. But only if we have a really great sales day today. So I encourage any of you who might need anything from American Apparel to go and buy it online today before midnight. We've got a sale on swimwear going on, and a great array of 3packs of T's and 4packs of underwear that land you a little secret savings of its own. As well, let me tell you that our new T's, the Summer T, the 50/50, and the Track Shirt all surpass our regular T's in comfort. Seriously, they're awesome. So go an buy a couple. This will most likely be the only sales pitch you will ever here from me when it comes to American Apparel.

I know I haven't been posting much. Things have been nuts. Jenny accepted an offer on her pad, and we're beginning full on house-hunting mode. The Rents are in town for the weekend. Plus work is nuts, and I've got some freelance to keep me busy. So unfortunately, I'm still hearing about cool stuff going on and the like, just don't have any time to post it. But i'll try and get back into the swing of it as soon as I can.

Peas.

P.S. Check the comments section for an extra special Stinks Good exclusive deal!

Desert Life

2006-05-19T22:42:00.000-07:00

Since I've come out West, I've had a fascination with the Desert. Back east, there wasn't anything like it. Nature always meant an almost suffocating amount of foliage and trees. The desert is vast and sparse. Its like a giant japanese garden. Joshua Tree and the 29palms area is one that I've come back to several times. I find it incredibly relaxing. The heat forces you to slow down.

Up until recently, these towns catered to the Military bases nearby and those who worked and lived there didn't find much culture in their Oasis. But more and more, I've been hearing about some exciting stuff going on in these places. Coachella, a festival that has taken on a life of its own, may somehow introduced people to the areas potential. Recenty a club called Pappy and Hariet's Pioneertown Palace has been booking bands like Stereolab and Calexico. The latest sign of life in the desert I've stumbled upon is a project called High Desert Test Sites. In their own words, HDTS is:

A series of experimental art sites located along a stretch of desert communities including Pioneer town, Yucca Valley, Joshua tree, 29 Palms and Wonder Valley. These sites provide alternative space for experimental works by both emerging and established artists.

Pretty cool.

A little gem of desert space that I found a while ago is called Desert Christ. Read about it here.

21Sided Dice are Silly

2006-05-19T22:09:00.000-07:00

So back in Junior High, I had two friends who were way into Dungeons and Dragons. Richard and Hanz. Trouble makers by nature, but they were also budding comic book illustrators and we used to hang out and draw funky characters. I was always the less intense and more conventional of the three and I just couldn't grasp the "seriousness" of DnD. One day they convinced me to play, and I made such a joke of it that Richard tried to beat me up.

Near our houses were a series of drainage sewers that we used to walk or ride our bikes down. We'd find ourselve piering out of sewer ways and taunting younger kids walking by. We even managed to meander our way 3-4miles to the local mall all underground. There was one fork in the path that was infamous. It was called Spic's Dungeon. It was exceptionally dark and many said that hard-core DnD players would go down there and reinact battles with actual weapons (LARP's to them). I never made it down Spic's Dungeon, again it all just didn't make sense to me and I'd rather go home and master my drawings of Andy Cap (everyone could draw Snoopy).

Well, Dungeons and Dragons is sort of a hip nostalgia these days, and many video games emulate its style and substance but without all the sheets of paper and 21sided die. It all just still seems silly.

Get Out of Gitmo!

2006-05-19T21:30:00.000-07:00

So for the passed few years I've been amazed how the U.S. has been able to sweep the bullshit that's been happening at Guantanimo under the rug. How do we just sit here and allow, what in my mind can be equated to a concentration camp, slowly destroy all the basic morals that I've always thought this nation was based on. No matter who the people are being held there, I believe our pledge of allegience states "for freedom and justice for all". Literally cooping up humans (many simply picked up for no other reason then being in the wrong place at the wrong time) in giant cages for over 4 years with no resolution to their predicament is probably the worst of all the presumed tortures they have endured.

I recall a Sartre story called The Wall where a prisoner is held in jail with the idea of his death constantly looming over his head. He finally comes to terms with the idea of his imminent death, only to finally be set free at the last minute. He know longer knows how to face the concept of survival and life is his fear.

These people haven't the luxury of knowing their fate. So many of them have decided to take it upon themselves by committing suicide. Today, they rebelled, and the US attempts to use this event to demonize the prisoners further. I certainly don't mean to suggest that I perceive all of these people as saints who haven't potentially done great harm. I'm sure many of them have. And the US has every right to keep us safe from tyrants. But if they have, then lets prosecute them for their crimes. And if we've made a mistake, we should let them go.

My god, even the humor found in the fact that this place is located in Cuba (those evil cigar smoking communists) seems lost on most of us.

Wars against concepts that can't be won. Force feeding Democracy. Jailing those who haven't been tried. Invading the privacy of our own citizens under the guise of protecting our freedom. Man, its all just exhaustingly absurd.

What do we do about it. I haven't a clue. But if we don't all recognize the problem, we have less of a chance to create the solution...and someone else just might find one for us, and it’ll just end in an ugly circle of destruction.

Coyote Sighting

2006-05-17T08:15:00.000-07:00

Coyote's are almost as plentifull as skunks in these here parts. Well, until recently it seems. This morning I spotted my first of the season. Usually, by now I've witnessed the sunning of the pups in meadow next to the resevoir and morning coyote sightings would be standard. But since the renovation of the lake path I haven't seen many and certainly haven't seen the pups this year. It's a love/hate thing with the little mongrels. They kind of freak me out and fascinate me at the same time. The skunks, the coyotes, and the hawks all make Silver Lake seem a little further away from the stench of downtown or the sleeze of hollywood.

Jurassic Lecture

2006-05-16T08:23:00.000-07:00

Tonight at the Pasadena Museum of History:

"David Wilson is founder and director of The Museum of Jurassic Technology, a unique museum in Culver City that chronicles the history of human curiosity and ingenuity, focusing on the restitution of decayed intelligence and examining cross- sections between art, science and natural history. The Museum, in its enduring interest in “tiny things,” features several exhibits of, or relating to, art and technology on the microscopic scale. Mr. Wilson will present a lecture on the topic of microminiature art and technology, highlighting the work of the three acknowledged masters of Microminiature Art, Nikolai Syadristy, Hagop Sandaljian and Edward Kazarian."

Starve The Beast

2006-05-16T08:14:00.000-07:00

An interesting documentary called Sir, No Sir will be released soon. From the tone of the trailer/mini-site for the film, its about a movement (silenced from history by The Man) of soldiers that refused to serve in the Vietnam war and how we may learn from these brave and rebellious soldiers on how to address our current issues with an unwarrented war.

Scanlon Watch

2006-05-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

Even after duping Native Americans out of millions and creating a highlife lifestyle, Scamlon couldn't forget his wild spring break days in Rehobeth. Milking Indians during the fall and winter months, "life-guarding" during the spring and summer. The Delaware News Journal has the scoop on Sean's plethora of properties in Dewey and Rehobeth.

Thanks Spence, for the tip.

The Go-Betweens

2006-05-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

The Go-Betweens are a band that I rediscovered about 5 or 6 years back. Highly under-rated in my opinion. If you don't know their recent albums, you might remember the hit from the 80's "Was There Anything I Could Do?" Just perfect pop songs with great melodies and lyrics. Pick up any album and you wont be dissapointed in my mind. Sadly Grant McLennan, one of the core duo of the band, passed away on May 6th. All that has been said is that he died in his sleep.

My Ex, Sally has a sister who was living in a group house in Australia with one of the members (I can't recall who). If I were on better terms with her, I'd try and get the scoop.

Kiefer Watch Round Up

2006-05-13T08:46:00.000-07:00

So there are those of you that come to my blog because you're friends and interested in what i'm up to, and then there seems to be those of you who find my blog by your fascination with Kiefer "too cool for sobriety" Sutherland. For those of you, I now give you a rundown of all of my previous posts and a few new ones.
1. Tree Incident Video
2. Trending Kiefer
3. Kiefer and AA
4. Best Of (Kiefer sans Briefers)
5. Kiefer Sighting (The Beginning)
6. Like a Rolling Sutherland
7. The Wide World of Kiefer
I think I'm unofficially knighting Kief as the patron saint of Stinks Good.

It's Raining Kiefer.

2006-05-12T15:48:00.000-07:00

So the infamous tackling of the christmas tree no longer needs to be an entertaining day-dream. It's more surreal then you could imagine and it was caught on film. Defamer has the scoop. Thanks Rob for the heads up.

WeHo Condo Fo Yo

2006-05-11T23:08:00.000-07:00

Jenny, my fiance (still can't get used to that phrase), is putting her condo on the market this weekend. If you or anyone you know is in the market, check it out. She's put a good amount of work into it, with lots of brand spanking new amenities including oak floors and a new stove and dishwasher. The place is pretty swank and the area just keeps getting more marketable. See for yourself. Open house is this sunday between 2 and 5.

Who Loves You Kiefer?

2006-05-11T23:03:00.000-07:00

According to the new Google Trends tool, Austrians, Finns, and Canadians LOOOOVE their Kiefer. Or at least that's where most of the google searches for the local seldom sober celebrity come from. Why? Who knows.

Welcome to Our World

2006-05-04T07:26:00.000-07:00

So I went to Disneyland for the first time ever the other week. That's correct people, I'm 35 and have never been to any type of Disney themed place EVER. Did my parents rob me of my childhood by locking me in a cellar. No, they just took us to the country during the summer and made us swim in rivers and hike mountains. I certainly can't blame it on them. I've been in LA for at least 10years and just never made it. I'm not terribly fond of disney the company, but they make a damn fun theme park. I'm a big baby when it comes to rides, but the stuff I did at Disneyland was moderate in dips and climbs and packed with weirdness and novelty. Lines suck, and I don't care to wait in them. But when you're with friends you find ways to pass the time. I can't wait to take my brother' kids there. It'll give me an excuse to go on even wimpier rides. I also left at dawn so I didn't get to witness the freaks that come out at night. One complaint; I didn't see ONE SINGLE Mickey or Goofy or even Buzz. What's up with that?!

Giddy Up

2006-05-01T22:12:00.000-07:00

While we're at it, on my way home today I finally snagged some pictures of this enigmatic horseman painted atop a crappy building on Glendale Blvd. I have no idea what the story is behind it, but I really like it.

Burgers N Crack

2006-05-01T21:54:00.000-07:00

Walking back from the demonstration today I passed Burger's N Sh t. This joint is located right across the street from where my friend John shared his studio space with me for a while. Just on the cusp of Gentrified downtown BNS caters to the Crack addicts and Prostitutes that wander the blocks near by. I never braved actually trying to eat there. Way too scary, and I wasn't really interested in the appetizer of Crack Pipe that seemed to be an essential element. Regardless, the name is hilarious and needed to be documented.

Burgers N Sh t is located on Main st. downtown between 4th and 5th. My friend Heather took the pict at the bottom with the creepy dude standing outside, I took the image at the top, walking back today.

A Day With Alot of Immigrants

2006-05-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

So today, I biked into work, met up with some work-mates and then walked to the first of two marches starting downtown. We walked up 7th to Broadway and entered the crowd marching to City Hall. The streets were packed with mostly hispanic people all wearing white shirts and either carrying American or Mexican flags. Its been ages since I've been in such an impressive showing of solidarity.

The sun was heavy in the midst of soo many bodies. We made it to city hall and listened to a few speakers although the destination certainly wasn't as exciting as the journey. I was happy to be a part of it all. I'm not sure if I have any solid theory on how I think the whole immigration/illegal immigrant issue should be solved; but I definately think the people demonstrating have a right to make themselves heard and are an itegral part of this city.

Nairobi Bound

2006-05-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

My friends Kelly and John embark today on a month long vacation that takes them from Kenya to Spain to New York. I want to wish them a safe and enjoyable trek.

They will first visit their friend who works in Kenya. I'm sure they'll go on Safari and whatnot. But one part of their trip that I feel personally invested in, is their stop at a small Orphanage outside of Nairobi. Their friend Talon has befrended the Nun who personally manages this facility. Last week, Kelly and John asked me if my work would like to donate some clothes to the children there. They could personally hand this over to the kids (unlike some larger organizations who's intentions may be good but you never really know where your stuff is going). Well, I talked to someone at our company and unfortunately the timing was a little to quick to get anything through corporate channels. So instead, I took up a collection among the Graphics and Web department and in the matter of a few hours collected enough to buy over a hundred dollars of stuff at our Close-out store. At 4 or 5 bucks a T, we managed to get over 2 dozen pieces of clothing. I feel really good about this, and hope all my work mates do as well. Kelly and John promised to take pictures so that we can directly see who we've given our gifts to. As well, she mentioned doing periodic fund-raising for this facility which I'm totally into. I hope it all goes well and I'll keep you updated.

Immigrants Rights and Bomb Pops.

2006-05-01T08:03:00.000-07:00

Hope I run into a few of you at one of the Immigrants Rights marches decending upon Los Angeles today. In another stroke of coolness, my work is encouraging all of us (including us Graphics people this time) to show our force of unity on this issue. This thing stands to have a huge impact on the city today and hopefully on the actions of our "leaders" in days to come.

If you're down there, keep an eye out for the Tactical Ice Cream Unit. In their own words the TICU are:

"The ice cream vendor has long been synonymous with a roving oasis - a well-spring of refreshment; a reprieve from the heat; a cool intervention. In this regard, the Tactical Ice Cream Unit (TICU) is no different. The TICU emerges at a time when most channels of distribution, communication, and social interaction are mediated and constrained by the fervor of financial exchange. Incorporating an alternative strategy of utopian potlatch, the Tactical Ice Cream Unit is envisioned primarily as a mobile distribution center for ice cream and information."

This is a great idea and I see these protests to be a perfect venue for the truck. Although not originally from LA the truck has arrived to the city for a Spring of activism. They were on Alverado on friday night, but i missed it. Hope to run into them soon. I think the Ice-Cream truck is a resource that shows incredible potential for commerce and education communicating with the community in a really interesting way.

Crazy Watch Requiem

2006-04-30T20:14:00.000-07:00

One of the several eclectic characters I have been meaning to highlight in Crazy Watch has passed away.

El Circo Loco was a character I had only recently become aware of. Circo strutted his stuff along the section of Sunset Blvd that Bridged the Silver Lake area with the Sunset Junction strip. One day sitting at 7Seas munching on a fish taco I noticed a flamboyant pirate-like character across the street with a drum strapped to his chest and swinging a large ribbon while holding a silent boom box. I watched him dance his way down the street in amazement.

I told this story to the woman who cuts my hair, and she gave me the low down on El Circo Loco. He lived out of his car, and stashed an array of costumes in an alley way near Millies diner. For how long he's been doing this I'm not sure.

So on friday I recieved an e-mail stating that he had passed away and that a public ceremony would take place on Sunday. Jenny and I drove by the small park near the junction this sunday and saw a good collection of neighborhood people collecting to pay homage to Circo. Unfortunately I was unable to snap any pictures, but I found a Flickr site with some.

Good bye Circo Loco, we hardly knew ye.

Bagpipe's and David Hasselhoff

2006-04-24T21:05:00.000-07:00

Saturday night I tagged along with Jenny as she met up with a friend of hers that was in from out of town as well as some local friends. We all met up at a new joint called the 3rd Stop. The 3rd Stop is on third street near Robertson.

I never thought I'd enjoy a hanging out in any bar-like venue in the Beverly Hills/Robertson area. I mean, this is typically Pretension Alley. But the 3rd Stop is pretty cool. An LA version of an english pub, the place has a long list of beers. Many for a reasonable price of 5 bucks. Even the Chimay is 5 bucks. As well, there is a fun menu of bar food to choose from. Wood fired pizza's, tapa's style plates of brazilian style steak, gnocchi, and whatnot.

Good Brew, good food. What else could you ask for. Well if you're of Scottish lineage like me, the Bagpipe player who made an entrance soon after we arrived was an entertaining addition. The guy was good. If that wasn't enough, soon after the Bagpipe player finished his first set, who walks in but David Hasslehoff! He only stayed for a few minutes, but he lived up to all of his cheezy persona.

So If you find yourself in the Beverly Center/Robertson area overwhelmed by annoying pretense, take the edge off at the 3rd Stop.

A Quick Update

2006-04-24T21:01:00.000-07:00

If you didn't know, for the last week I was at Jury Duty. I got called onto a trial that lasted 7 days. 7 crazy days. So much to tell. It may take several entries. In the mean-time, I'll give you the lowdown on my weekend. Some good times...

What A Stinker

2006-04-19T22:59:00.000-07:00

Wading through a bunch of old papers, I found yet another gem cut from the pages of Apartment 3G. Could I have known back then that my life would be effected so much by beasts such as Bubba?

In The Slaw

2006-04-17T21:07:00.000-07:00

Just snagged a copy of the latest Built To Spill album. You In Reverse.

Like Soft Bulletin Report by the Flaming Lips, Keep It Like a Secret by BTS is one of my favorite albums of this last decade. The lyrics and song structures are just flawless to me. And like the Flaming Lips, BTS's follow up was a likable re-hashing of previous efforts. This album takes a turn down a new path. More jam oriented. Cruder production value, meandering guitar jams that aren't bad..just different. In fact, so far its pretty good. I'll have to listen to the lyrics some more, but I have a feeling there isn't anything compares to "You Were Right" or "Time Trap". This album is psychedelic pop in the breed that I love. For some, it might seem noodly though.

I saw this band once live. Doug Martsch had a cold, and his sound system konked out. I think I'll give them a second try...but from what I heard, Doug is now suffering from a detached retina.

So I think I'm set for sun-drenched day melancholy albums for the summer...I need some pick me ups. Something Groovy, Something Rockin. Anyone have any suggestions?

Edendale Photobooth

2006-04-17T20:01:00.000-07:00

What is it about Photobooths that make people act INSANE. I think we all had a great time on friday night. But these pictures don't show "a good time", they show "a momentary lapse of muscular coordination". We truely look insane here. Regardless, I love photobooths, and the Edendale Grill has a fun one. So stop by, get yourself a drink, the calamari (really good people) and leave with a few memento's of what you look like when you loose your nut.

Monkey News

2006-04-14T07:48:00.000-07:00

So a few weeks ago, I reported seeing a monkey in a track suit on Silver Lake Blvd. I have since learned that I was not hallucinating and that a monkey truly was standing outside of Doggie Style. I talked to the owner of the store, and she said that it was all for a Japanese TV program. OF COURSE IT WAS!!! They had brought in a mangy dog to have groomed and the monkey was supposed to be reporting the story. I'm in the process of trying to acquire photos of the event, so keep checking for Track Suit Monkey picts soon!

I'll be at Edendale Grill this evening having drinks with friends celebrating the big hook-up if anyone wants to stop by. 8:30

Kiefer Sightings

2006-04-10T20:20:00.000-07:00

When worlds collide man. Kiefer spotted at an American Apparel. And we failed him no less. To be perfectly honest, the workers at the Robertson store suck. Even when flashing my employee card the women at the cash register refused to brake her obnoxious scowl and was less then unhelpful. Try the Little Tokyo store Kief, they've been quite nice to me and will set you up. We've got V-necks up the wazoo.

As well, Kief recently recited his thoughts on cocaine and cooking....cocaine.

Urban Canvas Pt. 3

2006-04-08T22:45:00.000-07:00

Just a few yards down from the Still Life in Memory is one of many pieces by a local Graph artist. I know nothing about the guy, but his motif is almost always these little birds (seen flying a spaceship here) and puffy clouds ( a love cloud shapes myself). The style is great, nice bubbly lines and vivid colors. It looks like most of his stuff is allowed by the community, possibly commisioned. I'll try to start documenting his pieces. If anyone has any info on this guy (or girl) please give me a heads up.