broadcasting from the san gabriel valley

Saturday, February 27, 2010

The MTV of Yore....

During dinner, a conversation took place regarding the spitting that takes place when certain people pronounce certain letters a certain way. This brought a silly melody into my head complimented with even sillier lyrics: "Say it. Don't spray it. I want the news, not the weather." All I could remember was that it somehow had a connection to the years in which I stopped watching MTV on a regular basis. After a quick google search, I found the song in question along with a video clip:

The song, written by a band called 2gether, was part of a made for MTV movie and subsequent television series that followed the trials and tribulations of a boy band and their quest for fame. I vaguely remember catching clips of this show as backdrops to parties at friends houses. This got me thinking to the days in which I really watched MTV. Real World Venice Beach, San Francisco and London. After London I stopped consistently watching the show. Not because I didn't like it, but the fact that I got a car most likely had a minor influence. I have to say though, the London show was really great. Yes, I was younger and more impressionable at the time, but I feel that the show had more substance than it does these days. The cast of London all had pretty interesting jobs like playwrights, racecar drivers, models, etc. I feel that now, the show will shy away from a more well rounded cast in the hopes of finding the newest "Situation". Oh well. Big shock. I will leave you, reader, with a clip from my favorite season. And no big shock that at 15 I thought Neil was hot shit.......

Thursday, February 25, 2010

I Think I'll go with the Leo Today: A Walk Around Echo Park


At an Echo Park barber shop along Sunset, one can find the greatest poster illustrating sample hairstyles. I have walked by this gem many times and it has gone unnoticed until now. Also during this monumental walk, I noticed some other things that caught my eye.....most notably this arsenal of toilets sitting on the corner in the neighborhood. I had several intentions of getting a picture of this porcelain masterpiece, but I was a) either running late on my way to work or b) without camera. Luckily, for me, no one came to quickly to relieve the corner of the johns......

To round up the walk, we did a lap around the Echo Park lake. The persistent rain has done wonders for the air around town thereby allowing for a greater field of clear vision. I must say, the city had a majestic feeling that day.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Travel Bug

Thoughts of long train rides and car trips are on my mind.......
The countdown to graduation continues.

Joshua Tree

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Valencia, Spain

London, England

Train ride somewhere in Italy

Friday, February 5, 2010

As a child......

I always remember going into the Hobby Lobby or some other specialty to store in the mall and seeing the Playmobil sets gloriously set up in a window display. Unfortunately, due to their excessive price, I was always shuffled to the near-by KayBee Toys and allowed to select a Barbie, on discount. Perhaps it is due to their forbidden fruit appeal, but I still feel a twinge of desire when I see the Roman Gladiator Play Set complete with Lion and Colosseum set up in a store window:

Recently, when browsing the news feed on the Facebook, I came across a blog entry listing the dark humor that was inserted into the little plastic playsets. Check them out. I am partial to the Bum and Policeman set myself........

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Langer's Deli Visit Number 2

Talks of French Dips and the Number 19 inspired David and I to have another afternoon lunch at Langer's. Langer's is really that good. In researching people's feedback on the home of the number 19, it was found that we were not alone in our worship for the food from the deli downtown. The second trip yielded a near exact order as the previous trip: me, a delicious french dip with a side of slaw and for David, the number 19. Two sodas. The only difference is we went sans fries as they ended up just sitting on the table post sandwich consumption last time.

As you can see, the number 19 is really that popular. Pastrami lovers of the world unite on this. Don't believe me? Look at the first 5 or so reviews on Yelp! They all reference said sandwich. Despite all the hoopla over number named sandwiches, I have to say I am partial to the French Dip. Delicious, amazing and gives my beloved Phillipe's some solid competition.

Post-Langer's enjoyment