Rubber Soul

24/7 - Blog and Soak

2011-08-02T21:06:00.000-07:00

So my newest hang-out is Lucy's LaundryMart - open 24-hours a day and 7 days a week. Inside are massive front-laoding washers and dryers of all sizes and capacities, a Starbuck's, and ACE Check cashing service, a Wells fargo ATM AND a Subway which is also 24/7. Right now they are blasting Soundgarten on the overhead speakers but the constant hum of machines and epic -sized fans is barely

A WORK IN PROCESS

2011-07-18T23:26:00.000-07:00

Time heals all wounds, they say. And for the most part they (that anonymous Greek Chorus we refer to all the time) are right. But there are still scars left from those wounds... scars on your heart. I have not been posting in, like, forever. And it's not because I have become a recluse and sit weeping in quiet desperation. I'm just... processing. Lots of extreme change takes time to adjust to.

YOU SAY GOODBYE, AND I SAY HELLO

2011-05-02T11:39:00.000-07:00

So.. it's been quite a while since I wrote on my blog. Haven't been really motivated to write much and I didn't want to make this all about feeling the loss... which I of course have been feeling since losing both my parents last year. Not that it isn't good to express it, I guess some things take care of themselves on a verbal level for me. But in accordance with all this and because this has

SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2011

2011-01-08T00:07:00.000-08:00

People at work have been following this truck via Twitter since it's launch in early December. My co-worker and self-proclaimed "foodie" DS posted on Facebook that it was going to be a few blocks from my house on Thursday night... so I drove there directly from work. The stars were aligned just right. I got the parking spot right behind the Lobsta Truck (parked in front of my local

CHRISTMAS TIME.... IS HERE

2010-12-20T21:31:00.000-08:00

This year it's the simple things and drive the merry and bright moments for me... as seen in this window --->> Work is a great distraction... my office mates are funny and we all three geek out about movies past present and future. Plus I am busy enough so there is not much time left in the day to think about my broken heart. I am not good in crowds yet so I am avoiding all parties and larger

ANOTHER GOOD BYE

2010-12-07T22:16:00.000-08:00

Mom, I love you... always.

Let the Holidays Begin

2010-11-28T15:24:00.001-08:00

YELLOWEEN

2010-10-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

The leaves are just turing yellow on the tree next door to my parents' house. By November they will be in full autumnal color. I come home every weekend to help care for my mom, who grows weaker all the time. These days I am flooded with memories every time I am here. Just the way the air smells drives home a million childhood days. I am already starting to miss it here. Not sure what's on the

OCTOBER YUMS

2010-10-28T12:13:00.000-07:00

IOn the recommendation of my office mate C, I went to Trader Joe's after work the other night to buy the "pumpkin ravioli." After a search up and down the isles...I finally asked a TJ worker who looked puzzled. "Um...pumpkin?" "Yes, he said he bought it here, at this TJ's" "Are you sure?" "Yes! (polite but impatient and hungry undertone) I proceed to follow her to the ravioli section...NO

AUTUMN HAS ARRIVED

2010-10-19T12:19:00.000-07:00

When I walked to my car this morning it was raining out... but the Sun was shining to my right in the east... so, I looked left to the west and saw this: <<------- So-Calif. has had some freakish menopausal weather this year - hot streaks then cool streaks with no warning. In any case, it is cloudy and rainy this week so for my money Autumn has arrived.

ONE MILLION FRIENDS

2010-10-05T22:35:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen it already - I highly recommend The Social Network. Not only is it a well-written, well-directed, well-acted film offering (Oscar worthy, IMO) - it is also a defining and solemn commentary of this age of Internet. I first became aware of Facebook by reading a blog that was written by a college student whose honesty online (albeit his online anonymity) made for a fascinating

Is it THAT hot in LA...

2010-09-27T22:22:00.000-07:00

...or are you just not very happy to see me at all... or anyone for that mattter?

NEW SEASON DWTS - MY CAT ZUZU REVIEWS FROM MY COUCH

2010-09-20T21:56:00.000-07:00

Margaret Cho - paws up for humor! Brandy - lighten up, it's TV Flo Henderson - Carol Brady 76? Really? Michael Bolton - Bring back the hair... if u can Crystal Palin - uh....... Jennifer Grey - Unrecognizable Baby is a tad over-qualified The Situation - Great abs-uation The Hoff - Oh, God. Kurt Warner - go long Kyle Massey - Who? Audrina Patridge - Nothing w/o Justin Bobby

SO LITTLE TIME....

2010-09-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

Today, September 16, is my friend Barb's birthday. I can only hope she can get tacos and peach ice cream in Heaven. If you have ever had the pleasure of having a cat for a pet you must have experienced that moment when they seem at peace with all the world and then suddenly turn their heads like they've just heard a blood-curdling scream - when you of course have heard nothing. Freaky. <--

MILESTONE SUMMER CONTINUES...

2010-08-22T12:39:00.000-07:00

Wow. "They" say that which does not kill you can only make you stronger... and another "they" said that God does not give you more than you can handle. Well, OK... guess I will heed those words from They. The kitty in the foreground is Gracie Allen - not named after George Burns' famous comedienne wife - but was named by the peeps that found her - their last name is Allen. Found in the garment

I MISS YOU, DAD

2010-07-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

My dad passed away unexpectedly on July 5th 2010. Soon I will write about him... for now it is all still new and I can barely write this much through my tears. So... I will simply say that I miss him.

THE 1,124th REASON WHY I LOVE LA

2010-06-28T19:18:00.001-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mesdames et Messieurs, Meine Damen und Herren: is now serving Can you think of a better variety of hangover food? (God, I love this town!)

FATHERS BROTHERS UNCLES

2010-06-21T00:09:00.000-07:00

(<-- LtoR: Uncle Joe, Uncle Leo, Dad, Uncle Arthur) It was quite a Father's Day. My eldest uncle has been struggling with health issues this last year and this week he took a turn for the worse. My Uncle Arthur passed away today June 20th, 2010 on Father's Day. My dad was devastated as he and his brothers are extremely close. The fact that all four brothers have lived long lives and have

ROOM WITH A VIEW

2010-06-03T00:02:00.000-07:00

Driving home from Hollywood tonight was one of those times I forgot about the traffic I was in and really took notice of all the lights. When I first moved into my Silver Lake bungalow, perched a block north of Sunset Boulevard and half way up a residential hill, I was happy to be on higher ground and was able to see a bit of those Hollywood lights from my west facing bedroom and kitchen

THE LOST GOODBYE

2010-05-27T22:33:00.000-07:00

The last episode of the hit ABC show LOST was broadcast last Sunday night. Did we get answers? Some. Did they leave us with questions? Some. Best part of the night was when I served up these thematically correct cupcakes for dessert ----> But forget all that because a new summer season will be upon us tv watchers soon which marks the return of Mad Men to our living rooms. So goodbye, Kate,

DAYS OF RHINO and ROSES

2010-05-26T23:00:00.000-07:00

When I heard about the temporary Pop-Up Rhino store, I knew I had to go. The small new/used independent record store located 1/2 mile from UCLA was where my friends and I all bought the new releases. Why? Simply because Tower and Sam Goody's and The Wherehouse were just not nearly as cool. Plus, Rhino had lots of great in-store performances - to name one little band, Nirvana. The store's owner

GR8FL FOR THE LUNCH

2010-05-19T23:13:00.000-07:00

So... I had this blog written, complete with an angry cloud picture and lots of exclamation marks. It was a rant I had written while feeling... well, frustrated. I didn't post it. Instead I will post this one... which lends itself to a more positive proposal. Today I called a colleague (who has become a good friend) regarding a work issue, and after it was dealt with we went into our usual

SPRING PALMS... LATER MOM

2010-05-10T13:19:00.000-07:00

Yeah, it was Mother's Day weekend - but when I was asked to go to Palm Springs for a min-break and stay the Two Bunch Palms Resort and Spa, I packed my little bags, threw on my linen schmotta and slapped on the sun screen. (Don't worry, I was back in time to bring my Mom flowers and grab dinner with she and my Dad because of the LA-is-two-hours-from-anywhere rule). ^ We missed our initial exit

WHAT IT IS...N'T

2010-05-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

I should be actively engaging in what is in the pic on the right ---> but here at Silver Lake Coffee the all-80s music track came on (Duran Duran, Madonna, MJ, Prince, et al) which inspired me to open up my iTunes and now I've got my earbuds and have graduated to an all-70s self-created track (Bowie, Elton John, Queen). This serves to remind me how in college I spent hours at Powell Library

MERCURY RETROGRADE and WHY I AM NEVER BORED

2010-04-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

MERCURY RETROGRADE: (llewellyn.com definition): The planet Mercury rules communication, travel, contracts, automobiles, and the written word. It goes in a retrograde motion or backwards three times a year for approximately three weeks at a time. When Mercury is retrograde, there’s a lot of confusion. People forget things. There are delays and frustrations.You should never start anything new when

T-MINUS FIVE EPISODES TO BEING FOUND!

2010-04-07T14:03:00.001-07:00

OK... we Lost fans are down to the final stretch to the series finale - where all the secrets will be revealed as well as the secret to life, the universe etc. We are still confused, but one good thing just happened in last night's episode - Desmond, everyone's favorite Scotsman, is back and connecting the dots with his time-traveling petite mals.One theory is that Desmond's personal journey of

Mad About Barbie

2010-03-10T12:28:00.000-08:00

WELL WELL WELL... SICK

2010-03-03T22:05:00.000-08:00

OK... well it's been quite a few weeks. The month of lay-off announcements at work are finally over (for now) and yours truly made the cut. I see it more like a reprieve from the governor - because this could be an annual thing (they had lay-offs last year as well). The stress of waiting to see if gainful employment was still a fact of life and then seeing friends pack up their offices was too

What rhymes with Valentine?

2010-02-14T08:33:00.000-08:00

THE CATCHER FALLS

2010-01-28T13:58:00.000-08:00

<-- That's what my edition of "Catcher in the Rye" looked like back in the day. It was an older edition that I found on a book shelf at my parents' house - I think it was given to my brother at some point and he left it there. The book was on my reading list for my freshman year literature class because it is an American classic. I was 17 years old and loved it at first read. I read it for the

AFTER THE RAIN

2010-01-23T12:29:00.001-08:00

It rained for something like 6 straight days in Southern California... with constant rain and dark clouds - we did not have a clue of what was going on surrounding us. Today the rain was gone, the sun was out.... and LOOK! SNOW-COVERED LOCAL MOUNTAINS! On my way to breakfast this morning I pulled over and grabbed a shot from my cell - this kind of snow will melt soon so you have to snap it up

THAT SCENE...

2010-01-18T22:44:00.000-08:00

On the Golden Globe Awards show last night they gave director Martin Scorsese a special award. I was thrilled because Martin Scorsese is not only a wonderful filmmaker in is own right - but also demonstrates a high regard for film as an art form.There is a scene in The Age Of Innocence where a flock of men walk down the streets of New York City and a gust of wind blows and they all grab their

STAY IN - IT'S RAINING!

2010-01-17T19:29:00.000-08:00

Take one rainy night - Golden Globes on TV - Mexican hot chocolate and a pastry from the Tropical Cafe - my new comfy red throw - pomegranate candle - sweats - a lap top so I can live blog - - and you've got yourself a fine little evening.P.S. holiday tomorrow - no work, whoooo hoooo!

REALLY? NO! REALLY?

2010-01-13T11:53:00.000-08:00

By KIRSTEN GRIESHABER, Associated Press Writer 1/13/10 1 hr 35 mins agoBERLIN – A musical about Barack Obama's "Yes we can" election campaign premieres in Germany this weekend, including love songs by the president to his wife Michelle and duets with Hillary Clinton.Even John McCain and Sarah Palin are given stage time, with actors portraying the losing Republican candidates and belting out songs

TEAM CONAN

2010-01-12T16:01:00.000-08:00

While I don't actually watch his show with any regularity ( I lean towards Letterman and/or Kimmel if they have guests that peak my interest) - I absolutely never watched Jay Leno. He came accross as irrelevant and quite frankly, a freaking bore to me. It just feels like the TV swine over at NBC is jerking everyone around with this unsubstantial-considering-the-state-of-the-world-today news item

ZUZU'S PETALS

2010-01-05T23:07:00.001-08:00

Today I got a text from another very good friend who read the previous blog entry and inquired about the stress that kept me awake last night.My first two thoughts were: "God, how sweet that is to ask after me!" and then "Oh, my God - people are actually reading this blog? I mean, they might not all be commenting - but people do read this thing." Needless to say - both thoughts made me smile. I

JAMES TAYLOR WAS RIGHT

2010-01-05T07:25:00.000-08:00

It's good to know that in the midst of sheer anxiety, when stress is on maximum overdrive keeping my eyes wide open in the middle of the night... there is someone I can call.

HAPPY

2009-12-31T17:20:00.001-08:00

Today as I drove around running errands (cleaners - Goodwill - post office - bank - 99c Store - but never did make it to the car wash) I was blogging in my head about the weather and the change of seasons. About how unbelievably cold it is in my house at night and in the morning and yet I can barely recall how desperately stifling hot it was at the end of summer. I thought how my oven seems to

BLOGGING IN MY HEAD

2009-12-24T12:33:00.000-08:00

My hand to God - nearly every day I write blogs in my head about things I observe, hear, see and do. But for some reason when I get home (or in front of any computer) I'm just not physically up to the task of sitting and typing down all these thoughts -some of which I jot down on scratch paper so I can remember to blog about it!Ugh. Laziness - no other excuse.OK... so it's a NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

PORTLAND IN THE FALL

2009-10-26T22:49:00.000-07:00

P&D - two of my all-0time faves.COLOR!Dot's - best burger EVER and a cranberry margarita!Nice reflection!Chinese graphics exhibit!Portland from the plane.All taken with my iPhone at the end of October 2009. I am SO behind on blogging. But more about that in my next blog.

SEEMS IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

2009-10-13T16:28:00.000-07:00

JULIE, JULIA AND AMANDA

2009-10-07T20:43:00.000-07:00

Last week K and I took a French cooking class that specialized in Julia Child French dish recipes. As you may know, there has been a renewed interest in JC's cookbooks since the popular movie that was based on a popular book that was based on a popular blog (see how it all comes home?) Chef Amanda Cushman has a series of cooking classes in LA - a plug for her http://www.amandacooks.com/ -and we

THE SEPTEMBER BLOG ISSUE

2009-09-29T23:37:00.000-07:00

The end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Then comes Christmas. Well, it feels like that anyway.My first taste of fall occurred when I was waiting to meet someone at the Barnes & Nobel Cafe overlooking Westwood Blvd. We were meeting to see the documentary "The September Issue" and after a Q&A with the filmmaker. In spite of the movie, I hadn't really planned on buying the big fat Vogue -

NUMBER 9... NUMBER 9... NUMBER 9...

2009-09-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

What kind of fan would I be if I didn't acknowledge the date? 09-09-09 Marks the long awaited release of The Beatles Rock Band and the entire catalog of remastered albums. I am listening to the mono and stereo remasters on a special edition of Breakfast With the Beatles right now - channel 25 Sirius/XM radio. I have shit computer speakers and ear buds... but it sounds freaking amazing!Also today

WHAT TO DO ON YOUR DAY OFF

2009-08-17T11:44:00.001-07:00

Work has been crazy busy this summer - big releases and people taking vacations has us all scrambling to cover each other's desks as well as our own. Since the waters seem relatively calm (for now), I took a three-day weekend.So now it's Monday and what to do? I already have evening plans to see Depeche Mode at the Hollywood Bowl tonight.Deliberating on how to spend the rest of my day.... here's

IS IT SUMMER YET?

2009-08-13T23:19:00.000-07:00

** My internet kept crashing when I was originally writing this blog**I just got through watching JULIE & JULIA... now all I can think about is cooking food and blogging, so I guess you can say that I am sort of inspired. Although it's 11:00 pm, so it's probably not a great time to cook - but coincidentally enough - we're having a breakfast potluck at work next week and I volunteered to make a

SUMMER SHOPPING SPREE

2009-07-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

One itty bitty laptop light - CHECK! One Sun dress - CHECK!One VW Jetta side-view mirror - CHECK!One Amazon Kindle DX - CHECK CHECK CHECK!

FAREWELL TO MJ: An LA Showment in Time

2009-07-12T22:03:00.001-07:00

So much has been made in the media about the untimely death of Michael Jackson that I almost didn't post this. However, I heard a local radio show discussing MJ's death and one of the announcers said something that I agreed with - which is that until he died, we all didn't realize how much we really did like and appreciate his music and talent - perhaps even more than we ever knew.So - yeah, (

OBESESSION!!

2009-06-30T21:02:00.001-07:00

Trader Joe, you did it again. 8 minutes in my mini toaster oven and damn it, I've got a meal!

WHAT A WEEK...

2009-06-27T18:28:00.001-07:00

First this poor young woman is shot down, an innocent unarmed bystander:Then Ed passes... end of TV era:Farrah loses her battle - ugh, brings up so many memories of the friend I lost last year:and now Michael Jackson's untimely death. Below is my fave clip of the J-5 medley with Cher:

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY....DAD!

2009-06-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

SOLSTICE or SOUL TEST?

2009-06-20T12:59:00.000-07:00

Today should look like this. Blue skies - warm temps - picnics - BBQs - flip-flops, etc. It's the eve of the summer solstice . Now, in Cali, we have what's called "June gloom" - which means a marine layer of high clouds in the morning which burns off to a warm and sunny day by about noon. However, this year the gloom has extended its stay and is remaining on/off throughout the day. So instead of

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

2009-05-23T16:49:00.001-07:00

<-- This apartment has been for rent for months... um, who do you call if interested?<-- There's always one in the crowd.<-- So Silver Lake.<-- Yes.<-- Welcome to California.<-- Morning commute, if only it were true.<--- You'll be searched at the Pearly Gates.

SOMEWHERE AL GORE IS SMILING

2009-04-22T12:44:00.000-07:00

First, a word about this week's weather:"IT'S HOT! IT'S COLD! SWEATER? TANK TOP? WHAT????" - that sums up this week's LA weather forcast. Today it's the perfect sunny and pleasantly cool spring day... until tomorrow, when it snows, fiollowed the next day by another heat wave.The company I work for has a week's full of Earth Day activities. On Tuesday I brought in a box of old VHS tapes for

SCORING a 10 on the "I'M NOT CRAZY" Meter or GREETINGS FROM CALIFORNIA!

2009-04-08T15:26:00.001-07:00

Watching TV last night I felt a jolt. I looked around at the clock 10:07pm. Normally I'd turn to someone and ask "Did you feel that?" But I was alone, so I turned to my cats and said "Did you feel that?"< - - this photo is indictative of their response.I asked a myriad of co-workers all who had a similar response to that of my cats. Until I saw L in the hallway.Me: Did you feel an earthquake

THE WONDERUL KIND OF PEOPLE...

2009-03-31T23:04:00.000-07:00

...are the ones who take you out to dinner and bring you flowers... because even though you aren't feeling so well, you kept the date.

CUPCAKES...on a LARK

2009-03-22T13:05:00.000-07:00

I've been driving by the Lark Cake Shop for months and admiring how BEAUTIFUL this small Silver Lake bakery is from the outside. In the evening there are tiny blue lights lining the window and beyond that such a warm fuzzy light emanating that you can almost smell the warm baked goods it houses! I've resisted temptation to stop... until last night. I decided to buy desert for myself and K for

NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL A FRIDAY!

2009-03-06T21:52:00.000-08:00

<--Rock band all afternoon (and Wii bowling)...A quick maggie -><- and home in time for the reunion (and farewell) of Siegfried & Roy!

ABE + GEORGE = 3 DAY WEEKEND

2009-02-16T22:19:00.000-08:00

I spent my holiday sleeping in, wrapped up in all my comforters listening to the rain come down, the gusts of wind rattle the tarp on the guy's roof next door... and then the loud piercing chirp just before the electricity went dead on my block for the next three hours.Happy President's Day!

GET ON YOUR BOOTS!

2009-02-13T11:19:00.001-08:00

http://goyb.u2.com/ I'm at work... it's Friday... enough said. :)

I'm LOST

2009-02-11T23:35:00.000-08:00

OK... let's discuss. Time travel gives you nose bleeds and can kill you.Where did Siad go?Smoke monsters can convince you to kill your own.Jack always appears to be on the verge of tears.John Locke is the new Alice (w/o the LSD).No one ever seems to need food or sleep.I still want to punch Juliette...pow!

FIVE REASONS TO SMILE

2009-01-22T07:12:00.000-08:00

1) We have a new President!2) LOST is back on the air3) New U2 single is good4) I have fabulous new walking shoes5) Hot spell over... rain is in the forecast

THE MISSING TAPES

2009-01-14T22:02:00.000-08:00

I took a vacation over the Thanksgiving holiday (taking full advantage of the 3-day week and the following week which was originally slated for a trip to Europe that fell through) - making my time off a stay-cation. When I returned to my office I almost immediately noticed that the whole (and nearly full) spool of Scotch tape was missing from my tape dispenser. It was puzzling, but with these

And Another One's Gone...

2009-01-07T20:48:00.001-08:00

I learned on my drive home that my carpool partner's boyfriend played the organ today at the memorial mass for artist Robert Graham. For some reason, I'd missed the news that Graham passed away on 12/27/08. I first took note of Graham when I did research for a paper about commissioned art for the 1984 Summer Olympics held in LA. Graham sculpted the figures for the entryway for the LA Coliseum: --

A NEW YEAR...

2008-12-30T12:08:00.001-08:00

In the new year and beyond....As I made my annual sojourn across the 6th Street bridge into East LA to buy tamales for my parents, I am again reminded how big LA is from end to end, and that is such a culturally diverse city. I need to be more cognizant of that and I want to explore places that I haven't bothered to in the past. There is always something to see and do here - and I appreciate that

HO HO HO - A Christmas Cookie Tale

2008-12-23T22:44:00.000-08:00

So this year a friend and I attempted a mini baking session which was inspired by our having gotten new baking cook books from America's Test Kitchen. We began in the morning with a run to **Rock 'n' Roll Ralph's in Hollywood then spent the early afternoon baking away. Adhering to the request for "more gingerbread men, they're cute" I dutifully cut out many more of them than the Xmas trees. Well

OH MY GOD! it's almost christmas...

2008-12-11T17:09:00.001-08:00

Wow... looking at the date of my last entry, I haven't written (blogged) in a century, feels like.So what have I been up to? Let's see... Another birthday come and gone. Another Thanksgiving come and gone - although this year I cooked my first turkey dinner. It came out OK, if I do say so myself, but man, it's a lot of work to prepare! So I'd like to take this moment to thank my mother (and in

PRE-HOLIDAY POST ELECTION AMOUR

2008-11-11T21:55:00.000-08:00

HERE'S WHAT I LOVE......the way that crisp autumn evenings smell......that Obama won and we're all still feeling the happy!...that I am contemplating baking pies and cookies... ...mini dia de los muertos light boxes......and... POMEGRANATES!

I VOTED!...and I EVEN HAD TO WAIT!

2008-11-04T10:53:00.001-08:00

I've lived in my neighborhood for 16 years (RENT CONTROL RULES!) and I vote down the street at the elementary school. I always like going to vote in the auditorium because everything (the stage, the seats, the isles) are all scaled down for the littles. It's a nice kind of nostalgic feeling I get when I go in that place. However, today - in what may prove to be the most historic election in our

PROGRESS... CHANGE...

2008-11-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

I GOT GUM! I GOT A CHOCOLATE BAR! I GOT A ROCK!

2008-10-28T20:03:00.001-07:00

Tonight it's the traditional "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" TV special - where Sally sacrifices trick-or-treating and bags of candy for her man - only to be disappointed in the end. Men... sheesh.Thursday it's the play "School of Night" about the mysterious death of Christopher Marlowe... Friday, Trick or Treating.... and then rounding off the week is Dia de Los Muertos.HAPPY ALL

5 GOODS, 2 BADS, 1 MYSTERY...

2008-10-22T20:07:00.000-07:00

THE GOOD:1.) PUSHING DAISIES2.) TALKIN' ABOUT "TRUE BLOOD" and "TWILIGHT" w/ A3.) OBAMA IS AHEAD IN THE POLLS4.) TALKED THE BANK OUT OF EXTRA (UNWARRANTED) CHARGES!5.) CARPOOLING: SAVING GAS $ W/GOOD COMPANYTHE BAD:1.) OCTOBER 22, 2008 LOS ANGELES... 92 (F@$#%^#@) DEGREES IN THE SHADE!2.) I JUST ORDERED A NEW CAR COAT.THE MYSTERY1.) JUST REPLACED THE KEYBOARD ON MY LAPTOP...BUT WHEN THE TEMP

DRIVING IN LA - PA-LEASE!

2008-10-21T13:18:00.000-07:00

LA is a car culture... and while it would be oh, so NICE to have a better public transportation system here, we are all used to driving and we love the independence of time that it provides us.At the same time... I wish we could all drive by the same rules. Here are some things that tend to bother me when I cam commuting cross-town in the mornings and evenings that I'd like to vent... er...

CHILI WHEN IT'S CHILLY: A CULINARY EXPERIENCE

2008-10-13T20:23:00.000-07:00

So the weather just slightly turned in California this past week. We went from 90-degree weather mid-week to a lovely 70-degrees by the weekend and FINALLY an evening where a sweater and/or hoodie was necessary. Although it's also been windy which means fires in some dryer areas (we've had no rain yet)... ugh.Anyway... last night I was invited to observe and partake in a culinary delight. My very

A PHILANTHROPIST FOR OUR TIME

2008-09-28T23:57:00.000-07:00

Paul Newman died this weekend. Since it was announced that he was ill, it wasn't a surprise - but very sad news all the same. Many articles will be written about Newman, lots of TV special reports, but I wanted to say a few words.Paul Newman was a good actor and drove race cars and made salad dressing. I came to like Paul Newman for all the usual reasons... he was a good actor in good movies, he

SIGNS OF AUTUMN TIDE

2008-09-22T00:36:00.000-07:00

Signs that fall approaching:It's almost dark by the time I get home. I am at that awkward stage wherein I leave the office with sunglasses on and then at some point on the drive home I am unable to read any street signs. (By the way - wearing my sunglasses after sundown is as Hollywood as I get and not so much a sign of cool, but rather a sign of autumn coming... and possibly bad driving).My

SEPTEMBER 16TH

2008-09-16T19:45:00.001-07:00

<-- college graduation.Today is my friend Barb's birthday. She's been gone about 6 weeks and I still have those momentary pangs of sadness... because I really miss her.Over the weekend there was a memorial in NY and a small BBQ here in LA. It was nice to reconnect with people I hadn't seen in years... like G said, "I think Barb is smiling at all of you for hanging out together and staying

EATING AFTER WATCHING BURN AFTER READING

2008-09-15T23:37:00.001-07:00

When it was decided that we'd catch the 7pm show in Silver Lake at local movie palace THE VISTA instead of the 8pm show in Burbank (because Silver Lake, my 'hood, is a gazillion times cooler), I drove swiftly but safely from the suburbs where my parents live down the I-10 and through downtown traffic. I slowed down just enough to allow my very very very good friend, JDN, to hop in my car so we

FULL CIRCLE 'DO!

2008-09-13T13:07:00.001-07:00

I was watching some kids walk to school this week on the way to work and started thinking about how excited I used to get about the advent of a new school year.When I got home that night I pulled out my photo albums to look at old school pictures when I noticed something ironic...<---- my haircut now is not unlike the cut I was given in kindergarten.

LOS TACOS HAN VUELTO!

2008-08-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

VIVA!So yesterday I got two texts while busily wrapping up crap at work for the long weekend. One said "I got tickets to tonight's Obama speech!" The other said "TACO TRUCK VICTORY!" While both messages contained equally exciting news, I figured one was already being covered by national news agencies, so I decided to concentrate on the other bit.Yesterday, a Los Angeles County Superior Court

WHERE IT BEGINS...

2008-08-20T22:38:00.000-07:00

<--- A's bumper.I post regularly to a music site, and I realized that in the last few months or so I've had something (not necessarily insightful or important) to say on the following bands/acts: Nirvana, Beck, Stevie Wonder, Depeche Mode, The Carpenters, Nine Inch Nails, Elton John, The Beatles, Ani De Franco, The Cure, Jimi Hendrix, Brandy, Radiohead, Prince, Amy Winehouse, Cat Power, Weezer,

GOLDEN SLUMBERS

2008-08-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

YOU KNOW TIMES ARE CHANGING WHEN...

2008-08-10T22:10:00.001-07:00

<---- see the sign on the window?

BFF

2008-08-02T00:24:00.000-07:00

A year and a half ago, my dear friend Barbara F. was diagnosed with uterine cancer. Yesterday, 8/1/08, we lost her to it. Grief stricken, my first inclination was to write about my pain and sadness. While my heart aches and I am incredibly sad, I think I'd rather just write about what a distinct privilege it was to have Barb in my life.We were college roommates, and she became a life-long friend

NOT THE BIG ONE...yet

2008-07-29T22:22:00.000-07:00

The stores were a mess, and some older buildings lost some bricks... and we in So-California survived yet another earthquake. Growing up in the LA area, for me these shake-ups are par for the course. In fact, most Californians understand that a tremor every now and then is pretty commonplace. We recognize them immediately and react with calm. It's the non-natives who get a little freaked.During

ONE SMALL WORD...

2008-07-26T16:49:00.001-07:00

(Elysian Park, Los Angeles -->)Do you know anyone who can literally turn around a stressful moment or even a whole moody day by just interjecting some kind words? Just saying one little thing - even insignificant in the bigger picture - can sometimes just lift your spirits and make you feel good - which can resonate even beyond the moment.Co-worker: Sun, are you the one who called about the

HOME cough cough SICK

2008-07-15T19:01:00.001-07:00

"It's just sinuses," I said... clearly in denial. I am rarely sick, and usually I can nip a cold in the butt by downing large amounts (but not more than the daily recommended, of course) of Airbourne... if I take it just as I get that tingly sore throat. But the reality is, I am run down from busy days at work, activities at night and staying up too late and not getting enough rest. I am coming

BLOG ABOUT MY POD

2008-07-09T23:46:00.000-07:00

So... tonight I was surfing through Kevin Smith's blog site Silent Bob Speaks (--> see blog roll on your right -->) and I listened to a few of his "smodcasts" as well. Listening gave me a fond flashback to when me and my old pal H began our very own podcast - The Pretend Radio Show. It was an experiment in what, I don't know, but it was fun while it lasted. Only H knows why it ended, if he

LIGHTNING STRIKES

2008-07-05T01:20:00.000-07:00

WHEN FIRE WORKS...AND WHEN IT DOESN'T...Big Sur, Calif. 7/4/08

ADIEU, ADIEU... TO YOU AND YOU AND YOU

2008-06-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

I meant to write a post like this in 2007... but I thought the topic sad and slightly morbid. However, I'm gonna do it now - because maybe some of you out there in the blog-o-sphere share my feelings. This will cover 2007-2008.Even though I do not personally know these famous people, they have become a part of my life experience. Perhaps in some small way - they made me think. So here's my list

IN MY SO-CALLED SPARE TIME

2008-06-24T20:47:00.000-07:00

I read when I should blog... and I blog when I should read. I listen to music when I should read... and blog while listening to music.But in the end... not a lot of time for TV (except for breaking news), and that's a good thing, right?

TOO HOT TO POST

2008-06-22T20:35:00.001-07:00

Places I'd rather be during an LA heat wave on the first day(s) of summer.But since only some of these journeys are possible... I'll settle for sitting in front of my little a/c unit sippin' a lemonade and try to stay cool with Rif and the boys.

WHY I LOVE THE HARDWARE STORE

2008-06-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

Isles and isles full of everything a house can ever need... and more. Usually people go to the hardware store because they are fixing or improving or even building something at home. Initially, I always think of going to the hardware store as an errand - to get the paint or the tool or the plumbing stuff or the sand paper or the stain or the new bucket.But once I enter that door I am always

JUGGLE THIS

2008-06-09T00:06:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I last blogged. It's my busy time of the year, when I become a master juggler. In my "spare" time I am reading (and just barely with some sleep deprivation involved) 24 scripts a week for the Nicholl Fellowship - my day job work is crazy busy, and I am still getting out and trying to spend time quality time with my nearest and dearest. In the midst of it all - I am trying

BEST.CONCERT.EVER.

2008-05-18T23:55:00.000-07:00

The opening act - though not on the marquee, was also quite impressive, Jack Lawrence, Brendon Benson, Jack White, Patrick Keeler - The Raconteurs:(the vid's a bit frenetic - but the song kicks ass)They rocked the theater hard - and all VERY talented in their own right. Jack White is one of THEE most talented rockers out there today, IMHO. "Every record executive in the world should want an

Isn't it IRONic?

2008-05-03T23:30:00.000-07:00

It's starts here with The Big Lebowski. This is THEE most underrated Cohen Bros. film in my opinion, and it's Jeff Bridges' BEST comic performance ever. Well, among the many crazy moments in the plot is when Walter and the Dude go to get his money back from the kid who took a joyride in his car. When they are seated in the living room, they see the kid's father resting in an iron lung across the

VIVA, TTT!

2008-05-02T11:47:00.000-07:00

It's been a rough week - but at least I had Taco Truck Thursday to look forward to. Seems the Los Angeles City Council (heeding the cries of outraged citizenry who say they gather larger crowds at inapproriate hours) passed an oridinance that does not allow these traveling restaurants to park in one spot more than 60 minutes or be subject to outrageous fines up to and including jail time. Jail

Costco Déjà vu

2008-04-13T22:48:00.000-07:00

As I was exiting Costco today I found myself surrounded by an inexplicable familiarity. Men and women pushing carts loaded with food-stuff, clothing, lamps, appliances, bedding... flanked on either side by small children who were also carrying goods and sundries. As we all moved ever-so slowly towards the exit (where a Costco employee pretends to count the items in your cart and confirms the

MENAGERIE OF MUSIC

2008-04-08T00:15:00.000-07:00

I have very diverse taste in music. I love music - ALL kinds of music, and the last few weeks have demonstrated this to me more than ever before.<--- First up - I saw Alice Smith at Hotel Cafe. She is an up and coming Sony artist with an impressive first CD and a very charismatic stage presence. I love seeing these kind of acts in smaller venues like this. Crowds are appreciative and allow the

I'M ON THE ROAD TO...

2008-03-25T23:19:00.000-07:00

...MADNESS!Usually the journey is spent at my friend K's apartment where we (J, H, G, A, et al) provide a potluck of snack food and beer and K whips up some left-overs concoction from his fridge and surprisingly, it's usually OK.Anyway, an hour before round 2 of the tourney K's cable box went dead so we had to trek down to Big Wang's (that's right, Big Wang's) where we were joined by H and T and