broadcasting from the san gabriel valley

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Science of not getting enough sleep.....

So, I have been on the go for the past 48 hours. I can account for my whereabouts and going-ons for the last two days down to the minutes. With the exception of the 12 hours combined sleep, the 48 hours were spent doing a variety of things like working, classes, going to a collage workshop, homework, computer labs, printing, more homework, more printing, reading, orientation night for my summer program and a 45 minute phone call to my beloved Nathaniel. So when the final class of the day ended today, I was so looking forward to some couching and sleep time. Imagine my surprise when my dear friend Nick called and expressed interest in going to the Michel Gondry meet and greet. Nick, another recent Phoenician transplant, lives in Long Beach so while we had talked about the possibility of going to see the man of film and video fame, I was kind of thinking that it may not happen.

We left Venice around 6:30 and made our way up to Family Bookstore. (2 plugs in one week, Family!!) When we arrived we were greeted with a long line down spewing out the door on down Fairfax. Some treats were picked up at Canter's and we staked our place. Stood. Took a few steps forward. Listened to a man play drums. Chatted. Etc. Around 8:36 or so, we were finally at the front and I had to ask:

me: "So, are you TOTALLY tired of people taking pictures with you?"
michel: (in beautiful accent) "no, but my eyes are a little bit.......(trailed off)
me: ok, we will be quick.

so, i get ready to take a picture of Nick and MIchel and 1, 2, 3...."CHEESE"

BATTERY DEAD

I look at both of them still, still smiling in anticipation of the flash, and report the news and laughed.

I didn't see a bigger smile from Mr. Gondry all evening!

Lucky for us, we had a back up camera and were able to take some do-overs. He signed our comics. Made small talk. All in all, the science of not sleeping equates to a fun filled meet and greet evening with Michel Gondry.

nb: look at camera when picture is being taken.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Most Excellent Bookstore

This evening brought me to the Family bookstore in Los Angeles for the Sublife graphic novel release/signing. The author, John Pham is a nice guy. If graphic novels are your niche, check it out:

So, this was the first time that I had ever been to Family, and I was super impressed. The first book I happened to set my hands on (literally, leaning on the table, my hand brushed on it mid-conversation) was Sophie Calle's "Appointment" book in which she does a series of photos and vignettes inspired by her trip to Siggy Freud's house. One of my favorite art books ever. With that, I had to do some serious investigating of stock.

Browsing around was easier said than done. The tiny shop, while cozy and perfect for an afternoon or evening book stroll, was super crowded with artist/musician/graphic novel enthusiasts occupying the narrow rows. Despite the crowd, I was able to gather they had an art section/photo/literature/graphic novels/magazines/dvds/some vinyl/zines/printed art (including some Miranda July text screenprints) and even a rack of traditional comics by the door. It was visual pleasure in there. An artist's delight. I left mid signing and headed over to Canter's to get a delicious pastry and to begin reading, "Exit Wounds", one of my purchases for the evening.

I think Family will be seeing me sooner rather than later as Michel Gondry is going to be there THIS Wednesday signing and discussing his new comic AND his new book. AWESOME! Check it out: www.familylosangeles.com/

Thursday, October 16, 2008

save as "hot drummer"


so when i am talking about my boyfriends, it usually means well, my boyfriends in flight of the conchords.....umm, my boyfriend gael garcia bernal, jude law is another one and how could i forget my boyfriend crispin glover.

but another man has joined the ranks. the drummer from kings of leon. yes their show rocked, but what rocked even more was the jumbotron in which this beautiful drummer was showcased and all of his drumming glory. i pretty much had the WORST day of my life today (missed the stills and about 5 other things that i am too emotionally involved with at this point to write about). however, give me like 24 hours and i may be able to turn these catastrophes into chuckles. we shall see, we shall see. i will leave you with this reader, another image i saved as "hot drummer 2".

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Organic Pop Tarts?


Let me preface this by stating that if you are a fan of the said toaster pastry mentioned above, then this may not be the blog for you. Also, let me clarify. The 'organic pop tarts' are not pop tarts. They are 'toaster pastries'. For me to call them pop tarts is blasphemous. They can not even play in the amateur leagues under the majors of sweetened and fortified breakfast foods.

FIrst and foremost, pop tarts have history. Just look to the above image. The pop tarts of yore are sans frosting. Let me nominate the genius who suggested the addition of extra sugar for a macarthur grant. The pop tart of today is sheer perfection. The frosted cherry? Heaven. To those who critique my eating selections? A pop tart and coffee: less than 250 calories. Pales in comparison to a grande latte with a blueberry muffin. However, my selection of a pop tart and coffee cant compare to the healthier choice of orange juice and oatmeal so we will go back to the point of this entry: the organi-sizing of a toaster pastry.

So, while perusing the aisles at Whole Foods, I take a turn down the cookie/granola lane. I see these familiar rectangular shaped boxes and am happy to see that the purveyor of healthy eating decided to welcome such a traditionally unhealthy food. I look at the flavors and settle for a "cherry/pomegranate" blend of fruit filling......frosting and sprinkles included. 3.49. Not bad. Just about .50 more than regular pop tarts. When I arrived home, I decided to open these bad boys up. Horrific discovery number 1: only three pouches. Normally pop tarts come in packs of 8. The healthy ones? 6. So I open up the silver pouch and am amazed at the frosting ratio deception. Not much on my tart. On the box he was much more covered in deliciousness. So the moment arrives and I bit into the tart. Can I just say that whole grains DO NOT belong in a pop tart. Dry, little filling and even less frosting.

While a majority of things are wonderful when organic (burgers, veggies, fruits) the lesson learned is that fortified sugar breakfast foods are not. Here on out, my breakfast pastry allegiance is with Kellogg's...........

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

VOTE for Michael Ian Black

After watching the presidential AND the vice presidential debates, I found it appalling that not ONE candidate brought up the pressing issue of motor scooters. How come Michael Ian Black is the only one ballsy enough to do so. Well, you all know who has my vote this November......

Monday, October 6, 2008

saturday night



the crew this past saturday night at la cita in downtown los angeles. while we didnt go to the roller derby match, we headed out for a celebratory drink with our favorite skater, judy gloom. megan, i PROMISE i will be in the audience next game. the night was fun despite the difficulty with parking. i must give myself some props on refining my parallel parking skills. while they are by no means at expert level, they have advanced somewhat from beginner.

slice not jones

i need to make an edit to the previous post in which i cited "kimbo jones" as being the most awesome man in the world when what i meant was to say that "kimbo slice" was the most awesome man in the world. how could i make a slip up like that? slice was crucial to the awesomeness.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

current winner thus far

well, last year around the cusp of 2007/2008, i published a highly anticipated blog on my space about the top ten most amazing things of the year . for those of you who know me, you know that these top things are not things that would be seen in any sort of high regard. however, that is their charm. yes. i do like my fine art, but i like my pop culture too.

with all that said, there isn't much time left in the year. 4 months. the forerunner for the number one position is the hit new fox sensation, "hole in the wall." for those of you who have yet to witness the debacle, it is sheer madness/genius. to sum it up, contestant (in shiny jumpsuit) needs to shimmy through a silhouette hole of a person in the moving wall that is coming at or they risk falling in a pool of water. may i add that if they fall in the pool there is a sexy lifeguard to assist them out as drownings are very common in shallow pools.......especially when in front of a live studio audience.



the only competition for the first slot thus far is kimbo jones. for those who dont know him, he is pretty much the most amazing man in the world. the only man this year to make me laugh so hard that i spat out a swig of beer. cage fighting and drinking beer aren't activities that are conducive to being a lady at the bar.

well, there is another contender for the top....i just though back to the other times in which i laughed equally as hard and i am brought back to my favorite topic of early 2008, the cruzin' cooler. man, this is going to be tough year to decide.

"i'd like to say that i discovered 'em, but i feel like pogs discovered me....."



this video brings back the glory days. the glory days which were home to my golden beavis and butthead slammer. but i cant even compare to the athleticism that is shown in this video. while i had lots and lots of pogs in my blue pog case, i never competed competitively. the comparison to pogs being a fad like trolls is oh so accurate. it is a shame that pogs were not given the merit that they deserve. we can only thank the gods of pogs for bringing such sophistication and sportsmanship to a severely neglected sport.