tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204113142024-03-06T22:35:08.955-08:00sunny days a la modechronicles of budget-conscious eating, playing & traveling in & out of Los Angeles.
A la mode because ice-cream makes everything betterkiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-84701710006654018902010-04-18T22:18:00.000-07:002010-04-18T22:24:24.423-07:00Brewing Up Local Art: Semi-Annual Brewery Artwalk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMktXLndNqy_H6ymCUWMEOrKMS_oUE8Ujv4auBRL12PjEftfQQQUa9QiqKqunarMZI3NaeZoAJ_mSmDBgLSIzNQiswb4S5Eit1huTJXmfgFaxeKEMUmqtuOmrG5Dgq66BNwYE/s1600/brewery2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMktXLndNqy_H6ymCUWMEOrKMS_oUE8Ujv4auBRL12PjEftfQQQUa9QiqKqunarMZI3NaeZoAJ_mSmDBgLSIzNQiswb4S5Eit1huTJXmfgFaxeKEMUmqtuOmrG5Dgq66BNwYE/s320/brewery2.JPG" /></span></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This weekend was the semi-annual </span></span><a href="http://breweryartwalk.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Brewery Artwalk</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in Downtown LA where dozens of resident artists open up their lofts to the public to showcase their artwork. I had heard of the event before but knew very little about it other than you can wander from live-in studio to live-in studio checking out works of local artists so I was expecting one large building somewhere in the industrial district of L.A. that housed everything.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsCKYYuO67EG2uechOiXx99FBIwJA_AoXIrSKWVhjfwdpyv0sh4CV7DSbS6D9QAvCHf4FkD40yfsReJfOdzpwApaRE6Aoznf8WU5uUGgt7P6erMuubjEN-wFlcF5v62QinnEP/s1600/brewery1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsCKYYuO67EG2uechOiXx99FBIwJA_AoXIrSKWVhjfwdpyv0sh4CV7DSbS6D9QAvCHf4FkD40yfsReJfOdzpwApaRE6Aoznf8WU5uUGgt7P6erMuubjEN-wFlcF5v62QinnEP/s200/brewery1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The artist colony is actually a sprawling, campus-style complex with 22 buildings, anchored by the namesake, former Pabst Blue Ribbon brick brewery, several lower slung warehouse-style apartment buildings and a handful of high rises, including a pair joined by a wire catwalk bridge overlooking the 23 acre complex. I had actually driven past the Brewery colon</span></span><a href="http://sunnydaysalamode.blogspot.com/2009/08/downtown-dogs-wurstkuche-sausage-joint.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">y when I visited the San Antonio Winery last year </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> but the nondescript concrete and brick buildings give no clue to all the art that is being created inside.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span id="goog_1252183487"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span id="goog_1252183488"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">According to </span></span><a href="http://labrewery.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=42"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">their website</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> , the artwork output ranges far, including, but not limited to "painters, sculptors, photographers, graphic design, web design, production design, motion graphics, weaving, architecture, furniture design, l</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">ighting design,set dressing, propmaking, water features, taxidermy" and the list goes on. Pretty overwhelming. The map we received upon entry was helpful but we decided to just meander the grounds and just peek our heads in any studios which caught our fancy.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnj03i_etT8gGeueClzLhtjfLlKKJBm4RhyUyiPyJcrYm_RIQZd7GIN2igfsWe0ei8R853FeKf-hyoc9brlinSnFdml8py-AG4flR6jszJtt4EZZqd6Ax-MjxRvQlJAuWSRtuE/s1600/seahorses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnj03i_etT8gGeueClzLhtjfLlKKJBm4RhyUyiPyJcrYm_RIQZd7GIN2igfsWe0ei8R853FeKf-hyoc9brlinSnFdml8py-AG4flR6jszJtt4EZZqd6Ax-MjxRvQlJAuWSRtuE/s200/seahorses.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZUi0RGQIBzi2vXKtm7yQgY8haxH5zsw0dl2o6KCWJaB7xElJNCXWk_5pmnIwJzEDPqgDrrm02GTv6zVSxsDq2EBqHX6AJkUOIuUrHeoWtPJDorwhNgOl1yOGbZ2uNSPl8pE2/s1600/dragon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZUi0RGQIBzi2vXKtm7yQgY8haxH5zsw0dl2o6KCWJaB7xElJNCXWk_5pmnIwJzEDPqgDrrm02GTv6zVSxsDq2EBqHX6AJkUOIuUrHeoWtPJDorwhNgOl1yOGbZ2uNSPl8pE2/s320/dragon.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our first stop was </span></span><a href="http://www.sandmancreations.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sandman Creations</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> , an exhibit of dreamy, oversized light 'sculptures' of fairy-lit, kaleidoscope sea horses and luminous dragons. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We wandered into the labyrinth of show-lofts inside a high rise building where we were greeted with highlights including the following:</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbe13PEFsUHJBiSoL8nDicR3gN5ygqdS6j6S-IW5QD5EAuzDB83X54EoXNR5iZfMtcId1jFlKh3BuflvFXzUnf5E2ZKTzzUtA9DCSFk4itOnx2E02KEGXySDbIw4mFDn4Gt5Kw/s1600/scars1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbe13PEFsUHJBiSoL8nDicR3gN5ygqdS6j6S-IW5QD5EAuzDB83X54EoXNR5iZfMtcId1jFlKh3BuflvFXzUnf5E2ZKTzzUtA9DCSFk4itOnx2E02KEGXySDbIw4mFDn4Gt5Kw/s320/scars1.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvv8K_59-yFlj54sGtMpI0hE0dj4l9W3bdOtKr1Fvfqdnqsl6opTDyGtphWQE6CTk5zhm8BSNm59EKS8JLuob1u7myvM39seUzKJHOpaCM-PVLm7RoD4H9kNK6KI75aNVKGipC/s1600/scars2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvv8K_59-yFlj54sGtMpI0hE0dj4l9W3bdOtKr1Fvfqdnqsl6opTDyGtphWQE6CTk5zhm8BSNm59EKS8JLuob1u7myvM39seUzKJHOpaCM-PVLm7RoD4H9kNK6KI75aNVKGipC/s320/scars2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Artist </span></span><a href="http://www.tedmeyer.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ted Meyers</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> ' Scarred for Life' wall of potato-print style prints gleaned from roller-inked body (and in one case, cat) scars. Each print came accompanied with a photo of the scarred/amputated subject (long lines of open heart surgery scars, fireworks accident and bandsaw victims with missing fingers, mastectomy survivors' scars etc) which added another layer to the artwork.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXh4tcyjZ1Ks_d_4s1qnnOP2-Q__lHM7ZFzQVBjqbZe-2Pn59zeG05jaAhsHPhfKbGOvmL_htBpjS0aZResEkFmvfC1Sj-f6XxkJCYIfVLCGVYMEsqypCRs2J7hCg_g_nuA5jr/s1600/tetris1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXh4tcyjZ1Ks_d_4s1qnnOP2-Q__lHM7ZFzQVBjqbZe-2Pn59zeG05jaAhsHPhfKbGOvmL_htBpjS0aZResEkFmvfC1Sj-f6XxkJCYIfVLCGVYMEsqypCRs2J7hCg_g_nuA5jr/s200/tetris1.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_caq-V-BYJRdEDzggvSXfSKo22yqbM65X6gy06J9U3mU7M00mk4BVC56u_-e49mQXQxwHQrcMrwjs6i9kbYOeYIiE_p1K1oNB-4HD6MfWot3kogfxGHYBKYV2i92yzaqOaAo/s1600/tetris2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_caq-V-BYJRdEDzggvSXfSKo22yqbM65X6gy06J9U3mU7M00mk4BVC56u_-e49mQXQxwHQrcMrwjs6i9kbYOeYIiE_p1K1oNB-4HD6MfWot3kogfxGHYBKYV2i92yzaqOaAo/s200/tetris2.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">An interactive, tetris-like light installation that allowed it's falling blocks to be "caught" by art patrons' outstretched hands before tumbling into a heap once people walked away.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOZ7kq6U7osDsOLzVHFSB0KbO9YaVOvNiOZY4dluhtyQJ3C1cvlJXIGgYNfqbumgaOayLr9uQ28WKYhVsPaRMrn5HVXaxSEu6RiaXziNzkqy59W3t0WbnvplQHgXscRJI3JpI/s1600/fine+drawing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOZ7kq6U7osDsOLzVHFSB0KbO9YaVOvNiOZY4dluhtyQJ3C1cvlJXIGgYNfqbumgaOayLr9uQ28WKYhVsPaRMrn5HVXaxSEu6RiaXziNzkqy59W3t0WbnvplQHgXscRJI3JpI/s200/fine+drawing.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYgL9U7rvtF5e6tv9-IDRUzoRfR64QH6D84va1WlbPNJDsE-aeSsi922wwSz0LIF5JkwkGByiCWNNK-plPzeD0QiVaDAKI05gsSnGmPqy3fyKjOAR_uX1Yl39vG_-BQ_eq847/s1600/hitchcock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYgL9U7rvtF5e6tv9-IDRUzoRfR64QH6D84va1WlbPNJDsE-aeSsi922wwSz0LIF5JkwkGByiCWNNK-plPzeD0QiVaDAKI05gsSnGmPqy3fyKjOAR_uX1Yl39vG_-BQ_eq847/s200/hitchcock.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD45rBN6V8ENuAjf8x2tlX8wRqwEHvMKN6CgFmGzCZ8kJBgdBsfvnjAw6NcgIrK_Lfg0OKuYRr_YBiDAIiT8-Q-A4m3z3RWjDKup9Nb3CzpcehW69oQ-oXC_Pcub8gZXXrs3qW/s1600/dead+doll.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD45rBN6V8ENuAjf8x2tlX8wRqwEHvMKN6CgFmGzCZ8kJBgdBsfvnjAw6NcgIrK_Lfg0OKuYRr_YBiDAIiT8-Q-A4m3z3RWjDKup9Nb3CzpcehW69oQ-oXC_Pcub8gZXXrs3qW/s200/dead+doll.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A pop-art sneaker display including a pair of Vans emblazoned with Hitchcock's mug and profile on each foot.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A small studio filled with intricate ball point pen murals which would have kept me occupied for hours as a kid, discovering infinite new details within the finely drawn pieces.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Church of Art performance art featuring melodies thumped out on a angel-winged horn piano.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">On a more macabre bent where the 'Lets Play Dead' exhibit of headless porcelein dolls doubling as planters for fresh tulips and orchids and a sultry showing of ultra-glossy, burlesque style photo subjects including Siamese twins playing the piano and a pretzeled over contortionist.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuK5m8THFOg14HxJ6ub7pgtoI_DGgf894WFR7LS7QQXryflJ5KCnAu8dygAx9B4wkB5qWFrO8-MyU2wDWUwXKY5t151vz9QoLiFAvwiN6SHQvofuVXs53fuehcoHSLqCQwnMb0/s1600/kitchen+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuK5m8THFOg14HxJ6ub7pgtoI_DGgf894WFR7LS7QQXryflJ5KCnAu8dygAx9B4wkB5qWFrO8-MyU2wDWUwXKY5t151vz9QoLiFAvwiN6SHQvofuVXs53fuehcoHSLqCQwnMb0/s320/kitchen+2.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_y_Z0_xS0Ch39IO5uDfrNZgyqnwD05dErwdDYXNm3Pt9APu35LO1NzxHyFOAvqW7ALMS2_o2pVtwEUTz8ScrQpAPZT-lZ8F6eTCBGM4PL5f6r8wSPwqWT_kAu3wnb-MNvFH4/s1600/kithen+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_y_Z0_xS0Ch39IO5uDfrNZgyqnwD05dErwdDYXNm3Pt9APu35LO1NzxHyFOAvqW7ALMS2_o2pVtwEUTz8ScrQpAPZT-lZ8F6eTCBGM4PL5f6r8wSPwqWT_kAu3wnb-MNvFH4/s320/kithen+1.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8abZ9fYtEeZLS9d26T4Qa-k9MvJt168cHOftMY7Ye_3itBSBoLizuU_Hqf_yrdrKM2-RFx4ypfbqnjaaHHpqmROEKaeIeL11h9lYFLY9F0D18ZLYlbXtn6_Isfyo7HEea5kY/s1600/kitchen+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8abZ9fYtEeZLS9d26T4Qa-k9MvJt168cHOftMY7Ye_3itBSBoLizuU_Hqf_yrdrKM2-RFx4ypfbqnjaaHHpqmROEKaeIeL11h9lYFLY9F0D18ZLYlbXtn6_Isfyo7HEea5kY/s320/kitchen+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYrD-wewK6d7cYWdDoJgl47waUYfjB-O_bD7mf_h_wG5kQea2vGOtW-iIIeDlaYlO1g1P3W-7VS3HuZ9i8pUhVWFMN7NGqVBAvxTxeAdYfPfO-yhvKwLbTZGutC_Wh0eR8q-k/s1600/kitchen+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYrD-wewK6d7cYWdDoJgl47waUYfjB-O_bD7mf_h_wG5kQea2vGOtW-iIIeDlaYlO1g1P3W-7VS3HuZ9i8pUhVWFMN7NGqVBAvxTxeAdYfPfO-yhvKwLbTZGutC_Wh0eR8q-k/s200/kitchen+4.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">While I loved checking out the artwork, I found myself also drawn into the artists' dwellings themselves. Outside, the ivy-covered buildings had a beautiful yesteryear quality, and inside, with lofts feeling so temporarily laid-out with non-permanent walls and 'room's divided by bookcases and beams, the kitchens--with their permanently installed appliances and sinks--felt like the most lived in part of lofts we visited and were all so artistically decorated.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I highly recommend checking out the semi-annual artwalk next time it rolls around in the fall. It's a great way to expose yourself to both new art as well as catch a glimpse of how those who live and breathe art, actually live. Admission is free and street parking is slightly sketchy (see below) yet plentiful.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8aEXWtnBqFleRI81C7Mhd1UrDuUA4RvGKcJH4P040h3__91jgc-ekHo_HVkeL9s4u66eIB3XcdsTR3VsB7dkugDUjH9jw30Ll_HvjK26DM9F2GgSk3JgeUD9jpQjOglf68WI/s1600/parking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8aEXWtnBqFleRI81C7Mhd1UrDuUA4RvGKcJH4P040h3__91jgc-ekHo_HVkeL9s4u66eIB3XcdsTR3VsB7dkugDUjH9jw30Ll_HvjK26DM9F2GgSk3JgeUD9jpQjOglf68WI/s320/parking.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<a href="http://breweryartwalk.com/about/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Brewery Artwalk</span></span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">April 17-18, 2010 </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;">Next Brewery Artwalk Scheduled in the fall</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">ombination of the former Eastside and Pabst Blue Ribbon Breweries, from which the community derives its name, and one of Los Angeles' first power plants, Edison Power Station #3. </span></span></span>kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-18171817984944130342010-04-11T22:28:00.000-07:002010-04-11T22:35:06.839-07:00Trash Cans and Lazy Ox's: TRASHED Coachella Exhibit & The Lazy Ox Canteen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMI7agUTRcFC3m0nfs6jfH3zVz43g6IAVeihDEWGWp4lIBAhyauyaTN7-fddb56LRn4efBBERKgDSsqA6bXwnIKrLhyGCDRH8sIrbtS_n0AY0lzNsCSdjpXZLoqx16bPhuBuy/s1600/trashedcoachella2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMI7agUTRcFC3m0nfs6jfH3zVz43g6IAVeihDEWGWp4lIBAhyauyaTN7-fddb56LRn4efBBERKgDSsqA6bXwnIKrLhyGCDRH8sIrbtS_n0AY0lzNsCSdjpXZLoqx16bPhuBuy/s320/trashedcoachella2010.jpg" /></a></div>I didn't know rubbish bins would be the thing to inspire me to start blogging again after a long lazy blog haitis but after checking out Global Inheritance's <a href="http://globalinheritance.org/blogs/read/190/trashed-coachella-exhibit-at-povevolving-gallery-one-night-only">TRASHED Coachella Exhibit </a> on Friday night, I felt compelled to write about it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL7vsj5xxBoOdTH-GiwDYSQ8qcJTUadZtDwqXr4PiBdhjuhUjPx9Y-Y4poGREwIwmEOOscYh72epklvoGWomOW_ZzSLyKZBkrkcwJgXhygLZC-cFiHG-qTP7ML1Q6W7gRVS_T/s1600/bins.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL7vsj5xxBoOdTH-GiwDYSQ8qcJTUadZtDwqXr4PiBdhjuhUjPx9Y-Y4poGREwIwmEOOscYh72epklvoGWomOW_ZzSLyKZBkrkcwJgXhygLZC-cFiHG-qTP7ML1Q6W7gRVS_T/s200/bins.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>The one-night only gallery event showcased crafty, custom-designed 65-gallon trash bins before they are put to use tidying up the polo fields of Coachella next week. It's been 4 years since my last Coachella experience and while I'm not up for the exhilarating yet hot/dusty/exhausting 72hr excursion anymore, I did want to get some sort of Coachella fix this year--even if it was just checking out the artsy "official trash bins" of the festival. The online flyer I saw highlighted the featured artists of the couple dozen bins on show--not being well versed in the who's-who of the garbage can art world, I didn't recognize the names but was intrigued enough to make the trek to POVevolve Gallery on Chung King Rd's gallery row in Chinatown.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sunnydaysalamode.blogspot.com/2006/01/price-of-ugly-shoes_10.html">Ugly Shoe</a> and I were greeted outside of the gallery with a trash can refashioned as R2-D2. Inside, we joined the arty types sipping on free wine and Veev cocktails milling amongst a smattering of colorful bins. Some were more impressive than others; there was a cool splatter graffiti-styled bin, another done up in a 70's Holly Hobby look and a fun, brightly painted bin inviting trash-throwers to "express yourself" with a pile of chalk for passerby's to write their own 'expressions' on the trash can.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObyNF5z4OGmpMe0jFPmobiXvNWA1rMmKGu0KBBezBkX4xf3JVVSsJ23gQoIezOVA_yMFqteV2L5iPYtTwBIcoyq-3ghVCwofDkmt9USKANzH60B0TJXVp6Oe74hAa8kjLdFjo/s1600/express+yourself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObyNF5z4OGmpMe0jFPmobiXvNWA1rMmKGu0KBBezBkX4xf3JVVSsJ23gQoIezOVA_yMFqteV2L5iPYtTwBIcoyq-3ghVCwofDkmt9USKANzH60B0TJXVp6Oe74hAa8kjLdFjo/s200/express+yourself.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
My favorite was the psychedelic, Beatles-inspired bin which brought to life the lyrics from "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds", including real tangerine trees, a girl with sparkling sequined kaleidoscope eyes, yellow and green flowers made of cellophane and a river studded with milky glass beads.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKUhJPFxYoSOmL-csN1dh_icv1yk877G6tvHnjxp5ISv-Vf2DFS8WUThPYwIGifevm_zDU0GLv8JvaV2A_uvBBz5PW71TqGXp6mKoSpHTWgkputEcStgsD16OSRoc1CJAHPMv/s1600/beatles+bin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKUhJPFxYoSOmL-csN1dh_icv1yk877G6tvHnjxp5ISv-Vf2DFS8WUThPYwIGifevm_zDU0GLv8JvaV2A_uvBBz5PW71TqGXp6mKoSpHTWgkputEcStgsD16OSRoc1CJAHPMv/s320/beatles+bin.jpg" /></a></div>While the exhibit was an amusing 20 minute novelty, it was a great excuse to head to the downtown area to kick off a Friday night. Since we were in the area, on a whim we drove to Little Tokyo to have dinner at the <a href="http://www.lazyoxcanteen.com/index.html">Lazy Ox Canteen</a> afterwards. I had heard good reviews and have been wanting to try the restaurant but with no reservations on Friday night, we weren't sure if we'd get the chance. I called to inquire about the wait as we were parking and was greeted by a cheesy but somehow reassuring "Lazy Ox Canteen, how can I make your day better?" While the first-come, first serve bar seats had an hour wait, the friendly hostess said we could have a heat-lamped table outside if we waited 10 minutes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGc-kewtuqrwWKf3E1UDp0cieIh3dbwk8IlEzwepgNmo6KyXWEN_CvPLP7tCZGKZrN8CXbShLilCgarF4NA60Cg3ElhpTG0FPQyYgVwoB3dtghsHGYHTp7itkOqz1W9EPLJUAO/s1600/ms.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGc-kewtuqrwWKf3E1UDp0cieIh3dbwk8IlEzwepgNmo6KyXWEN_CvPLP7tCZGKZrN8CXbShLilCgarF4NA60Cg3ElhpTG0FPQyYgVwoB3dtghsHGYHTp7itkOqz1W9EPLJUAO/s320/ms.jpeg" /></a></div>The <a href="http://www.lazyoxcanteen.com/menus/Lazy-Ox-Dinner-0410.pdf">menu</a> (sparse on the printed menu, but accompanied by a chalkboard overflowing with daily specials) is a modern mix of French, Mexican, Japanese and Catalan cuisines. We ordered the assorted pickles (crunchy and dill-flecked, they were a great accompaniment to cut through our heavier dishes) dashi marinated yellowtail with avocado, hash browns and creme fraiche and with the waiter's recommendation, the pig trotter crepinette off the chalkboard specials for appetizers. The chunky-cut yellowtail was delicious the traingle toasts of hash browns added some crunch and texture. I was expecting the trotter appetizer to be a pulled pork filled french crepe but instead, it came as a pig trotter patty served over creamy mashed potatoes. A surprise but still really tasty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUd7LO1GCSVBTrm3JJFabs68zAfvt765zOtdnqMLyA4GVkyGkE_02hvXqYgscHWlU8_pP-Yeuc4QwePNAXRl89AqRL-yz6Qr630SeTjVfB_hDFwP2IAm8IJfpsGFpaRlnElHp/s1600/paleron.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUd7LO1GCSVBTrm3JJFabs68zAfvt765zOtdnqMLyA4GVkyGkE_02hvXqYgscHWlU8_pP-Yeuc4QwePNAXRl89AqRL-yz6Qr630SeTjVfB_hDFwP2IAm8IJfpsGFpaRlnElHp/s320/paleron.jpeg" /></a></div>The braised beef paleron entree we ordered was a dark, fork-tender hunk of pot roast sitting on mellow cream of wheat and kumquat slivers. Braised in red wine, the meat was almost caramelized crusty outside and deliciously yielding inside. We finished off our meal with a large ceramic skillet of bubbling, buttery crusty-topped black and blueberry cobbler. Delightfully rich in flavor and fullness, the meal lived up to the hearty and earthy expectations you'd expect from a restaurant with 'crispy pig ears' on their menu and the word "Ox" in their name.kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-65229655894713673392009-10-11T17:21:00.000-07:002010-04-11T21:08:47.614-07:00Apples At My Doorstep: Farm Fresh To You Organic Delivery Service<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUGY8kqTF7Yq9IFTfSdC7ujSsRyrkruFE2iOLgNU-PwfIL42DmMjHBbnjaQsqi8hR5mFfO6VUmwaEyMHThsyQdKm1-x80iXtUitCT5xHZ1K-wG3zHArtHmhqVye5xh5HjuqO0/s1600/veggies+in+box.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUGY8kqTF7Yq9IFTfSdC7ujSsRyrkruFE2iOLgNU-PwfIL42DmMjHBbnjaQsqi8hR5mFfO6VUmwaEyMHThsyQdKm1-x80iXtUitCT5xHZ1K-wG3zHArtHmhqVye5xh5HjuqO0/s320/veggies+in+box.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I'm pretty happy with my weekly Sunday Farmer's Market ritual for fresh fruit and veggies but when I came across the <a href="http://www.farmfreshtoyou.com/index.php">Farm Fresh To You</a> booth at the A<a href="http://www.abbotkinney.org/">bbot Kinney Street Festival</a>, I decided to give their delivery service a test run for fun. Working with a range of 6000 local family farmers growing organic fare, Farm Fresh To You is a mail-order service delivering an assortment of fruit and vegetables most in season to your doorstep on a weekly bi-weekly or monthly schedule. <br />
<br />
The service is super easy to sign up for, and during the registration process, customers can nix any fruits or veggies they don't want to receive so although each package remains a surprise, which meant I could check off kiwifruit (which I ironically have an aversion to) so I know they'll never be included in my delivery. The multitude of package options also cover different sizes ideal from single folk or couples (<a href="http://info.farmfreshtoyou.com/index.php?cmd=BF4">Small Mix</a> of about 8 different produce items, $23) to larger families (<a href="http://info.farmfreshtoyou.com/index.php?cmd=BF&Service_Name=Monster+Mixed">Monster Mix </a>with 23 various items, $55) as well as fruit only, vegetables only and no-cooking required options. I opted for the Small Mix for my first delivery. <br />
<br />
Several days after signing up, I came home to find my box-of-fruit'n'veggies by my door. Inside was a colorful mix of fall produce; half a dozen apples, zucchini, orange bell peppers, onions, Yukon potatoes, a couple garlic cloves, several heirloom tomatoes, button mushrooms and a punnet of strawberries, also enclosed was a sheet of paper with several recipe suggestions which complemented the items in the box (<a href="http://www.farmfreshtoyou.com/recipes/">recipes also online</a>).<br />
<br />
Based on my package of produce, I bit into one of my crunchy Ambrosia apples while deciding to make <a href="http://www.nigella.com/recipe/recipe_detail.aspx?rid=12075">Basque Chicken</a> for dinner, which called for the onions, garlic, bell peppers and tomatoes I just received. I saved the potatoes and mushrooms for the 'pancetta-wrapped mushrooms' and 'mashed potatoes with cream cheese' recipes which came along with my order for another night.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLb9KuXSebbzhub_fCmtEOfQcVCm6Mlmq6TN99Jbwux4VtZAwYHdsvpj4uKi9dxWC9vJKfazi8DPB8cmX-Aj4Io-2Jzh30fyf9s9OQhyphenhyphen50KulLZik_aUaqZ7I09IC6zbCQE2YE/s1600/farm+fresh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLb9KuXSebbzhub_fCmtEOfQcVCm6Mlmq6TN99Jbwux4VtZAwYHdsvpj4uKi9dxWC9vJKfazi8DPB8cmX-Aj4Io-2Jzh30fyf9s9OQhyphenhyphen50KulLZik_aUaqZ7I09IC6zbCQE2YE/s200/farm+fresh.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
The produce list varies with each delivery depending on what's freshest for the given week. Although those who like to plan can log online a couple days ahead to see what will be arriving, I thought it was fun receiving a package of surprise produce. Planning meals around the handpicked assortment of fruit and vegetables also took me out of my regular rotating roster of go-to dishes I usually cook which also made it more fun in the kitchen.<br />
<br />
I eat out too much to sign up for the service on a weekly basis so opted for the deliveries to come every month. At $23 for the small box, you'd probably do better shopping on your own at the farmer's market, but it's not over-the-top pricey either to support and indulge in fresh organic groceries. <br />
<br />
I received a $10 discount off my first order for signing up at the Abbot Kinney booth and have a $5 off refer-a-friend coupon so if anyone's interested in trying out a delivery for $18 (there is no commitment and you can cancel at any time,) let me know in the comments box and I'll send the discount your way!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.farmfreshtoyou.com/index.php">Farm Fresh To You</a>kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-42499849994950125082009-08-23T19:13:00.000-07:002009-08-23T21:55:34.106-07:00Downtown Dogs: Wurstkuche Sausage Joint<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEugbirgsOUvNyEdiQ1g_zQ6CCgyZQc94tlJoER4QOz4kaHimmsIkbGAtRiyZqqfoRi88e19hYnCEiUJASQWw2UHSV9Ix_LD6Wso3BO39SQrsCzOKqrEC345dna0XuxWSh-vcW/s1600-h/640_wurstkuche1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEugbirgsOUvNyEdiQ1g_zQ6CCgyZQc94tlJoER4QOz4kaHimmsIkbGAtRiyZqqfoRi88e19hYnCEiUJASQWw2UHSV9Ix_LD6Wso3BO39SQrsCzOKqrEC345dna0XuxWSh-vcW/s320/640_wurstkuche1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373386191082659266" /></a><br />While adverse to balony, Slim Jims, weiners and other questionable 'pressed meats', I've recently become quite the fan of sausages. So yesterday, after taking <a href="http://www.downtownla.com/1_01_housingBusTour.asp">a tour of downtown lofts</a> (a fun, informative and surprisingly not-dorky way to spend your Saturday morning checking out cool NYC-style lofts hidden inside deceiving, flophouse-like exteriors in downtown LA), <a href="http://sunnydaysalamode.blogspot.com/2006/01/price-of-ugly-shoes_10.html">Ugly Shoe</a> and I decided to hit up self-described 'exotic sausage grill' and beerhall, <a href="http://www.wurstkucherestaurant.com/">Wurstkuche</a>, while we were in the neighborhood.<br /><br />Wurstkucher sits on the sketchier edge of Little Tokyo in the Arts District, but it appears hipsters will brave the shadiness for their gourmet sausage. The back area's communal tables were full and the line to order when we walked in was a dozen people deep, but even with the simple menu of just sausages, I needed the entire time I was in line to decide between the 20+ various sausage options as well as which two dipping sauces I wanted to go with our cone of double-dipped Belgium fries. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNCAQhBHaAbUo5v2CdNtgETFYJXCVLgHF6m1JzIOsxBucupLvbrUBpxSdjy0lI3yISpeAl3wtOBt3_8fKuCt0i2KJf0rLwh2bRPXWeCr9RHar2HA6Y0TzuAHQSx-zhAdORkZa/s1600-h/sausages.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNCAQhBHaAbUo5v2CdNtgETFYJXCVLgHF6m1JzIOsxBucupLvbrUBpxSdjy0lI3yISpeAl3wtOBt3_8fKuCt0i2KJf0rLwh2bRPXWeCr9RHar2HA6Y0TzuAHQSx-zhAdORkZa/s320/sausages.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373386384564779842" /></a><br />The <a href="http://www.wurstkucherestaurant.com/01%20ASSETS/Wurstkuche_WEB_MENU_V4.pdf">menu</a> is separated into 3 categories; I skipped the Classics ($6; your basic bratwursts,bockwursts and hot italian), Gourmet ($6.75; the likes of mango-jalapeno chicken & turkey, sweet Filipino Marharlika, smoked chicken with sundried tomato and mozzarella) and headed straight to the Exotic dogs ($7.75); I briefly pondered the alligator, pork and smoked andouille sausage and was intrigued by the rattlesnake & rabbit (which was described as buttery but mildly spicy) but ended up going with the duck, bacon and jalapeno peppers which the guy behind the counter recommended as his favorite topped with grilled onions and sweet peppers. While our sausages were being grilled, we loaded up our table with ketchup and various mustards (yellow, spicy brown, honey, whole grain) from the condiment bar.<br /><br />Although they had a couple of dozen German and Belgium beers on tap and even more bottled biers, we were headed off for some wine tasting at the downtown San Antonio Winery afterwards so I skipped the Chimay and ordered a bottle of Reed's Spiced Apple Ginger Brew from their selection of artisan sodas instead. The table of dudes across from us made up for our non-beer drinking with their monstrous, 6 liter, $250 bottle of Duvel. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4dG-5nc2iAWAYsPzsBzEfGUYg6Jjj-9YkEyWTi42xgGifT3U7EbTsOzkdCaOUF2c8S1aOjbyU06c3Bk-YtlHfoziV4zmRJ4_3emUrXv1fbVhPqM6ryj72xUr0I-08V6KmpmM/s1600-h/sausage+order.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4dG-5nc2iAWAYsPzsBzEfGUYg6Jjj-9YkEyWTi42xgGifT3U7EbTsOzkdCaOUF2c8S1aOjbyU06c3Bk-YtlHfoziV4zmRJ4_3emUrXv1fbVhPqM6ryj72xUr0I-08V6KmpmM/s320/sausage+order.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373386739545370914" /></a>As I bit into my duck and bacon weiner, I heard the lovely subtle 'pop' sound of the meat breaking through the casing. The menu's description didn't lie--my duck, bacon and pepper sausage <span style="font-style:italic;">was</span> juicy and packed with flavor as promised and was better than Ugly Shoe's good but not memorable chicken-apple with nutmeg topped with sauerkraut. The crunchy, starchy fries were a delicious complement and as a condiment queen, I had fun rotating between our bleu-cheese walnut dip, 'sassy bbq' sauce and my various ketchup and mustard mixes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkx9ibjUMClCHGd1MkMKRGsrDZE0zT8vg0hd5buHKSm7_CnaQknGJ50Jr0Gun29Rm_2Fu2xJP0W9kBoDib25k5xdfVn2etCiRADIz2yPXshOovm0BG8-Wpt7iklKmBcF35DN2/s1600-h/beerhall.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkx9ibjUMClCHGd1MkMKRGsrDZE0zT8vg0hd5buHKSm7_CnaQknGJ50Jr0Gun29Rm_2Fu2xJP0W9kBoDib25k5xdfVn2etCiRADIz2yPXshOovm0BG8-Wpt7iklKmBcF35DN2/s320/beerhall.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373387341135475746" /></a><br />While not expensive ($23 for the both of us), it's not super cheap for essentially hotdog (albeit exotic ones) and fries. Both sausages were tasty but essentially pretty comparable to the homemade ones you can buy at Whole Foods for a 1/3 of the price (and note, this is probably the first time I've ver used Whole Foods as a comparison for value). However, with its airy, warehouse-loft beerhall decor (exposed brick walls, overhead wooden beams, communal pine tables), fun and unpretentious atmosphere and a menu that boasts minced rattlesnake as an item, I'd still recommend this a downtown spot to check out. There could be <span style="font-style:italic;">wurst</span> places to go for a spendy hotdog. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.wurstkucherestaurant.com/">Wurstkuche</a><br />800 E. 3rd Street<br />Los Angeles, CA 90013 (<a href="http://www.wurstkucherestaurant.com/02%20SOURCE/Location.html">map</a>)<br />213.687.4444kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-77543579432298079932009-07-19T15:18:00.001-07:002009-07-19T18:21:45.473-07:00One Summer Day Inspired from 500 Days of Summer: Downtown LA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurVN7-4XiL4QtkHYe-1jG4WH35T9be_2OqnlWJNFirIiv8CeH6uP7KK9W1TwtOuIciBM12e45UhGmOBb5X3HDKs2GQg2m0bBYsOL7_UjdrXEFcV76MFj03weHFzbG1SxggMS-/s1600-h/LosAngelesDowntown01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurVN7-4XiL4QtkHYe-1jG4WH35T9be_2OqnlWJNFirIiv8CeH6uP7KK9W1TwtOuIciBM12e45UhGmOBb5X3HDKs2GQg2m0bBYsOL7_UjdrXEFcV76MFj03weHFzbG1SxggMS-/s320/LosAngelesDowntown01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360339803997064738" /></a>Inspired after watching <a href="http://www.foxsearchlight.com/500daysofsummer/"><span style="font-style:italic;">500 Days of Summer<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span></a> on Friday night, <a href="http://sunnydaysalamode.blogspot.com/2006/01/price-of-ugly-shoes_10.html">Ugly Shoe</a> and I decided to take a trip to downtown LA on Saturday to explore the locations which were so well shot and romanticized in the film. Besides the occasional trip to <a href="http://sunnydaysalamode.blogspot.com/2006/01/free-ecstasy-thursday-night-moca.html">MOCA</a>, <a href="http://sunnydaysalamode.blogspot.com/2006/11/santee-alley-designer-knockoff.html">Santee Alley</a> or Staples Center, I don't wander into downtown LA that often so it was a good excuse to do some navigating around that part of city.<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3-5grnZpBXxKdUtwhG5ZZZdcpfoG93Sx3gw4HwG1CAcM3WNZ9dPoQ8dvC21vSofh9Nwy1csusRKhlVAPOnRDAXroCqXqD2R86rWuWxcEg4dEyswfSt53BM2azgoQvjVDA61E/s1600-h/park.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3-5grnZpBXxKdUtwhG5ZZZdcpfoG93Sx3gw4HwG1CAcM3WNZ9dPoQ8dvC21vSofh9Nwy1csusRKhlVAPOnRDAXroCqXqD2R86rWuWxcEg4dEyswfSt53BM2azgoQvjVDA61E/s320/park.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360338387388483010" /></a>My favorite scenes in the film are where at the park bench Tom and Summer share on a grassy knoll overlooking downtown LA. My 'where is the location of park bench in 500 days of summer?' googling wasn't too successful but the <a href="http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/tours_selfguided.php4">historical self guided walking map</a> and lady on the other line of <a href="http://downtownla.com/0_03_askUs.asp">the 24-hour downtown LA helpline</a> were great resources. With our downtown map print out, we headed on the 10E towards Pershing Square and found a $5 pay lot between Hill and Olive right around the corner.<br /><br />Although named California Plaza Park in the film, we recognized Bunker HIll and its shaded park benches immediately (on the corner of 4th and Olive.) The sloped sliver of green grass and broad-branched trees were a leafy oasis amid the dulled Historical section of downtown LA. Looking down, intricately adorned Art Deco buildings and brick highrises in all their faded glory blend seamlessly with squat blocks of parking garages, fast food joints and cracked asphalt-topped pay lots--forcing the eye to search them out amid the concrete sprawl.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh7ZXzBZVkv4tKs9dzxGstKauJR1Id8phJiPJbbVfFu5J4nlxWm2UoqYgVEpdiD5ZfKsWN_HE0YJSAD4f6ZqigFc2dauh5WP1jGAY5Kq8C1gLbZA4lB-NrR_G7JnRraXSXkrj/s1600-h/pershing+square.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh7ZXzBZVkv4tKs9dzxGstKauJR1Id8phJiPJbbVfFu5J4nlxWm2UoqYgVEpdiD5ZfKsWN_HE0YJSAD4f6ZqigFc2dauh5WP1jGAY5Kq8C1gLbZA4lB-NrR_G7JnRraXSXkrj/s320/pershing+square.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360338606250983458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvY0qLyVUEvPm5WXRL6kZH_tRtwaUL-8wRKm5qrSyRXL7VjnkXRt-ibGHXItbFzEkKRc7ml2HcgFmS33Rm9iDdtllnpdpn2wc_nA5x_ffQCi1orGIWN8p2ANK6iJdsv-nr64H/s1600-h/crown+molding.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvY0qLyVUEvPm5WXRL6kZH_tRtwaUL-8wRKm5qrSyRXL7VjnkXRt-ibGHXItbFzEkKRc7ml2HcgFmS33Rm9iDdtllnpdpn2wc_nA5x_ffQCi1orGIWN8p2ANK6iJdsv-nr64H/s320/crown+molding.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360339009696813858" /></a>Following our map, we peeked into the still impressive, chandelier-filled mezzanine of the<a href="http://www.millenniumhotels.com/millenniumlosangeles/"> Biltmore Hotel</a>, strolled through Pershing Square to find they<a href="http://whiteskymedia.com/clientprojects/pershingsquare/"> hosted summer concerts and outdoor films throughout the summer </a>weeks, swung up to 3rd and Broadway to poke our noses through the glass doors of the <a href="http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/downtown/bradbury.php4">Bradbury Building</a>--home to both the last scene of <span style="font-style:italic;">500 Days of Summer</span> and the futuristic backdrop to <span style="font-style:italic;">Bladerunner</span> and took photos of the old-Hollywood opulence of '30's movie theaters-turned-grand storefronts. All the while, taking the advice of the film's protaganist that its easy to miss the glamorous details at street level but all you need to do is look up; curvy crown moldings, fluted spires, mermaids, gargoyles and simple yet striking geometrical patterns perch discreetly along multiple building ledges and windows.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMhR20EAdXIeKPcak5VtPgvc7fP4jGHt2tPZOCpCyJmorJgOQtERDbrIEHBZK8nf_EXsVBk3Hy8xCLptu1CCzCv9Z8ekUaZNz_5oY4KscDesCkLoQafT5bOLhl-gLhYA-_J-f/s1600-h/MJ+Palace+Theater.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMhR20EAdXIeKPcak5VtPgvc7fP4jGHt2tPZOCpCyJmorJgOQtERDbrIEHBZK8nf_EXsVBk3Hy8xCLptu1CCzCv9Z8ekUaZNz_5oY4KscDesCkLoQafT5bOLhl-gLhYA-_J-f/s320/MJ+Palace+Theater.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360339457921701426" /></a><br />Unlike the awe-striking beauty of other metropolitan cities, L.A. makes you work hard to find its architecheral graces, which oddly made me appreciate what we spotted on our walk more. The one way streets and easy-to-avoid location makes downtown L.A. feel intimidating and not necessarily worth the drive just for a sit at a park and an aimless stroll along its boulevards, but stirred by the appreciative eyes of <span style="font-style:italic;">500 Days of Summer</span>, we spent an entertaining afternoon discovering an often-ignored, other side of Los Angeles that cost us half the price of our movie ticket.<br /><br />More info on Downtown LA <a href="http://www.downtownla.com/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.laconservancy.org/">here</a><br /><a href="http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/tours_selfguided.php4">Historical Tour</a> starting point at Pershing Square on 5th & Olive<br />Parking: $5 all day or cheaper at multiple lots or plentiful street parkingkiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-29747047733180122692009-06-07T22:20:00.000-07:002009-06-08T23:26:13.515-07:00Doughnut Forget About National Doughnut Day: Grace Restaurant's 3-Course Donut Tasting MenuI believe I finally experienced dessert overload for the first time ever this weekend. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVc7X3A1UllqKyt0hqhnWashHsTVHWuIic7yWS3ODDgAxZoek2joDONZsiL01VKrLu4rO0M_0V_jeWiuXpp1e5rEjo_GOt5K_HKVkqThdV7jVIYbIHuo438Ortd652y1gcd-yj/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 101px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVc7X3A1UllqKyt0hqhnWashHsTVHWuIic7yWS3ODDgAxZoek2joDONZsiL01VKrLu4rO0M_0V_jeWiuXpp1e5rEjo_GOt5K_HKVkqThdV7jVIYbIHuo438Ortd652y1gcd-yj/s320/images.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345208741608310770" /></a><br />Always on the lookout for my interests and tastebuds, my friend J. Nash brought it to my attention that it was National Donut Day (last Friday, June 5th) and she had just the donut-filled festivities for us to honor this sugary celebration. <br /><br />To commemorate this special high-calorie day, J. Nash and I made a reservation to partake in a <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2009/06/grace-extends-national-doughnut-day-tasting-menu-through-the-weekend.html">gourmet doughnut tasting menu at the la-di-dah Grace Restaurant</a> on Beverly Blvd. Due to the public’s high donut demand, <a href="http://www.gracerestaurant.com/">Grace</a> extended the doughnut-love throughout the weekend so we scheduled our donut dinner for Saturday night.<br /><br />Before going, I had Willy Wonka’esque visions of servers parading around with heaping trays of assorted mini doughnut, beignets and donut holes; a psychedelic medley of shiny glazed, sugar rimmed, nut-encrusted, chocolate covered cream-filled options… Turns out doughnut tasting at Grace was a yummy yet much more civilized, white table-clothed affair.<br /><br />Our reservations were at 6:45pm. While it was dinnertime—and chef Neal Fraser’s Iron Chef-winning menu offered many lovely options—in interest of our budget and saving room in our bellies, we opted for a doughnut-only dinner.<br /><br />After an appetizer of some freshly baked, hot-out-of-the-oven bread served at the table, we waited hungrily for our first of 3 dessert courses.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqz3rZATeV8AjjcC3Ffpg5X0rXWn0g746sbqx-6P6_5Jl01ISNMj0evJqiYpdASlXH47x8QXl5PAjBW6anvpCK-2fuNM5REniknHJ1WZFsJqUIClywge9HB1VCVxhIrvsZ-8L1/s1600-h/doughnut1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqz3rZATeV8AjjcC3Ffpg5X0rXWn0g746sbqx-6P6_5Jl01ISNMj0evJqiYpdASlXH47x8QXl5PAjBW6anvpCK-2fuNM5REniknHJ1WZFsJqUIClywge9HB1VCVxhIrvsZ-8L1/s320/doughnut1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345208928154226850" /></a><br />The first—two mini doughnut brushed with a tawny gloss of salted caramel glaze—was my favorite. A perfect composition of salty sweetness and crispy softness. Accompanying the sweet doughy goodness was a scoop of homemade bourbon-laced pecan ice-cream and strawberries. Delicious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEq9-83WI0Cwwg3nFhSAse-7LTzsjAo2O8zL672Tcd2DmgepiAEBS9AGZfCkTgCHPEZpZgxTZ8tTtcDRBcZBCnQpqr_2tAwC_tc3saVlRjN5EqFp7lIAQiggxJVKUe_aJYFJH8/s1600-h/doughnut2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEq9-83WI0Cwwg3nFhSAse-7LTzsjAo2O8zL672Tcd2DmgepiAEBS9AGZfCkTgCHPEZpZgxTZ8tTtcDRBcZBCnQpqr_2tAwC_tc3saVlRjN5EqFp7lIAQiggxJVKUe_aJYFJH8/s200/doughnut2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345209155943922914" /></a>Our second course was a larger, fluffy sugar-puff of a beignet filled with a pistachio cream with a side of chocolate buttermilk marble ice-cream and dried cherries. Not a huge fan of pistachio, I would have preferred a more traditional raspberry jam filled beignet and the homely-looking green hued pistachio cream oozing out of the donut didn’t help. However, the beignet’s yielding, pillowtop consistency and the euphoric effects of our Red Bull-like sugar high made up for the presentation and mild nutty flavor.<br /><br />By the time our third and final doughnut course arrived, our blood sugar levels had already spiked and were well on their way down towards food coma. Already stuffed with a tummy full of friend dough, J. Nash and I worked hard at polishing our plates, dunking our simple, buttermilk brown butter glazed doughnut into the teacup of warm, rum-spiced milk before finally waving the white flag a couple of bites short.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0caK5CuOLWx3DbsbMiZ2wFKZ9GOMVAy27i4I6ix_qjP-4jx6ONjxsmMRMhfSkLXH7xoyzIGBtBqqI6V0N7vyBiOjIf18soVPnXgX7Q3VLnBrJKKohsYnNMgOJMGB2kJYk6kH/s1600-h/donut3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0caK5CuOLWx3DbsbMiZ2wFKZ9GOMVAy27i4I6ix_qjP-4jx6ONjxsmMRMhfSkLXH7xoyzIGBtBqqI6V0N7vyBiOjIf18soVPnXgX7Q3VLnBrJKKohsYnNMgOJMGB2kJYk6kH/s320/donut3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345209374738685890" /></a><br /><br />Grace offered a wine pairing of various dessert wines with each course, but we just stuck to our water and rum-spiked milk. <br /><br />As we rolled out of the restaurant an hour later, J. Nash and I both agreed that we love doughnuts and thoroughly enjoyed our doughnut tasting outing but probably got our doughnutty fill and won’t need another doughnut tasting for a while….or, at least until 2010’s National Doughnut Day. <br /><br />Doughnut lovers out there, I would recommend tasting pastry chef, Monica Swan’s designer doughnut creations, however, in this case, less may be more; rather than downing 5 doughnut and 2 scoops of ice-cream in one sitting, I’d suggest stopping by on a Wednesday night during Grace’s Weekly Doughnut Night for a single doughnut dish. (The pistachio-filled doughnut is among a rotating selection of eight creations Chef Swan serves weekly along with doughnut-less sweets such as sticky toffee pudding with bruleed bananas and white-chocolate and strawberry tart with orange blossoms.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.gracerestaurant.com">Grace Restaurant</a><br />7360 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood. 323/934-4400<br />Three Course Doughnut Tasting Menu: $18 <br />Regular Wednesday Doughnut Night <a href="http://www.gracerestaurant.com/index.php/grace/menu_desserts">Desserts</a>:$12kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-81790403618697244292009-05-09T15:25:00.001-07:002009-05-09T17:19:52.782-07:00Sweden is More Than Just Ikea and Meatballs: Global Tennis Showdown<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdMTNQp1h6szj3MMqzMt0afu9uYuzdPwOSDNYlbmQQvJsswa-jylnuSppu_VHm1wR-eW04xYL999ipdWHlcnD17ComCigOaTe5MaH7gEVI9P8whyphenhyphenpI39S3RsGuwjUW1QH-3m6/s1600-h/will.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdMTNQp1h6szj3MMqzMt0afu9uYuzdPwOSDNYlbmQQvJsswa-jylnuSppu_VHm1wR-eW04xYL999ipdWHlcnD17ComCigOaTe5MaH7gEVI9P8whyphenhyphenpI39S3RsGuwjUW1QH-3m6/s400/will.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333976934408675170" /></a><br />Always gravitating towards 'only in LA' activities--or, in this case, 'only in LA or Sweden'--I jumped at the chance to tag along with my friend Jimmy and girlfriend Greta visiting from Sweden to <a href="http://www.globaltennisshowdown.com/new/">The Global Tennis Showdown</a> charity tennis match & fundraiser to benefit the S<a href="http://www.svenskaskolan.info/">wedish School of Los Angeles</a>. The headlining match featuring 80's tennis Swedish tennis star, <a href="http://www.tennisfame.com/famer.aspx?pgID=867&hof_id=102">Mats Wilander</a> and Will 'Anchorman' Farrell (who's married to a Swedish wife and has a couple of half-Swede kids attending the Swedish School.)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkX6iysCICFgWcJBdtXft4G7eKijYj2ELmUvlmwPQQMXCO38-4JtJzQ5tey5JuTaf69lqR1Qb-rOp3-_truMPbtS8EGDVvkpCCGkezGA9ut45dTI-Ez8nzHKslyAHKKqolWY09/s1600-h/farrellwilander.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkX6iysCICFgWcJBdtXft4G7eKijYj2ELmUvlmwPQQMXCO38-4JtJzQ5tey5JuTaf69lqR1Qb-rOp3-_truMPbtS8EGDVvkpCCGkezGA9ut45dTI-Ez8nzHKslyAHKKqolWY09/s320/farrellwilander.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333977219855129058" /></a><br />Although the match wasn't sold out, the showdown attracted a pretty decent crowd of curious Will Farrell fans and apparently a who's who of the Swedish celeb pack. My Swedish friend Jimmy pointed out Swedish supermodel and former host of 'Sweden's Next Top Model' <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.topnews.in/files/images/Mini%2520Anden.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.topnews.in/mini-anden-2007-victorias-secret-fashion-show-27158&usg=__NXi_VUaV-S0nQY9Li_ji5rU-zD8=&h=621&w=379&sz=56&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=-1_XAt4SmZRq2M:&tbnh=136&tbnw=83&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmini%2Banden%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den-us%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1">Mini Anden</a> and Swedish hip hop Grammy winner, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/adamtensta">Adam Tensta</a> (who later stepped out onto the tennis court for a surprise Swedish-rap performance) in the stands. Prior to the game, famed Swedish stand up comedian <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0AFEqwVdeA&feature=related">Bjorn Gustafsson</a> pepped up the crowd before launching into a stand up routine which made it clear English was his second language. He could very well be side-splitting hilarious in Swedish, but the translated humor was so awesomely bizarre that when I looked over to Jimmy, he reassured me that "This is for real, Bjorn REALLY is a big time comedian back home!" <br /><br />Haphazardly umpired by comedian sidekick Andy Richter, the showdown adopted the ping pong point system (first to 15), which kept the game flowing quickly. The first half was a decent game of baseline hitters, volleys and occasional aces from Mats Wilander's end. Just when I was thinking I was basically watching a backyard game of tennis between Will and his celebrity fans, they started to change up the game. <br /><br />A couple of leggy (as in, on stilts) blondes joined in as doubles partners for a point or two before they began handicapping Wilander by having him hold hands with a gaggle of Swedish school-children as he ran around the court. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0i3Qs4_Kzf2jfpIs66oqmXo2M_g4VVSwzt4raupn0m__VRoI1SzP85xZzUkEkglgtHoIBkCFjCVWsmSKbg9UlE6XTjtOdDBbqdfO-fRv0CwuFkevyiCM6StPVQoL4hv4dOE9/s1600-h/bigracket.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0i3Qs4_Kzf2jfpIs66oqmXo2M_g4VVSwzt4raupn0m__VRoI1SzP85xZzUkEkglgtHoIBkCFjCVWsmSKbg9UlE6XTjtOdDBbqdfO-fRv0CwuFkevyiCM6StPVQoL4hv4dOE9/s320/bigracket.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333978714543205778" /></a>Still holding strong, Will then brought out his big guns and hit a couple of forehands with an oversized racket. <br /><br />Finally, at 14-14, the final showdown point came between Mats and his tag-a-long kids vs. Will saddled with another Swedish kid piggybacked to him. Will Farrell--not a bad tennis player. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UXXE4vpitqefzi5Nz2SBczOGknxhFGi5vB_OLYtMrBS3TGJvHIsoYUP8RA6KI5ZJeA8YPJohZf-NTBUcUAoIjNmSlAOYGW6DBbdNUNcDz7mgD1kKZgIK4B1X_tY1_3mWJXdl/s1600-h/willpiggyback.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UXXE4vpitqefzi5Nz2SBczOGknxhFGi5vB_OLYtMrBS3TGJvHIsoYUP8RA6KI5ZJeA8YPJohZf-NTBUcUAoIjNmSlAOYGW6DBbdNUNcDz7mgD1kKZgIK4B1X_tY1_3mWJXdl/s320/willpiggyback.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333979027135172402" /></a>Funnyman and piggybacked blondie wins! Farrell 15, Wilander 14.<br /><br />For a musical reprieve before the doubles match, the forementioned Swedish, hip hop artist, Adam Tensta performed his hit single, "Dopeboy (Do I look Like I Sell Drugs)" Again, I glanced over to Jimmy for reassurance this was wonderfully for real. "Tensta REALLY is very popular back in Sweden. But even for Swedish people, this is a pretty weird event."<br /><br />For the doubles match, they brought out a UCLA alum and Venus William's former doubles partner, Justin Gimelstob and tennis partner, Rainn Wilson (who, like Farrell, was surprisingly agile and decent at tennis for a slightly doughy comedian.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZOB_mDf79z0wJXTDsaXPCeO3MnmNhF-4Zn8FpH8OVWX5FDLeq_e3Du043aJRwaA09ul1eJeDQeL6EWR-ly8H8QWRrHZmlX_L5o8wOdZVyi5D8XCt5qRUQUEdGttNw2k0OMga/s1600-h/underwear.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZOB_mDf79z0wJXTDsaXPCeO3MnmNhF-4Zn8FpH8OVWX5FDLeq_e3Du043aJRwaA09ul1eJeDQeL6EWR-ly8H8QWRrHZmlX_L5o8wOdZVyi5D8XCt5qRUQUEdGttNw2k0OMga/s320/underwear.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333980524646115154" /></a><br /><br />The charity match also included a post-match BBQ and silent auction and a performance by the Dan Band for those who paid higher priced tickets ($75) but since we only paid for the cheap seats ($25) we pretty much just perused through the display of brightly hued <a href="http://www.bjornborg.com/en/Underwear-shop/">Bjorn Borg underwear</a> before calling it game, set, match for the day. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.globaltennisshowdown.com/new/">The Global Tennis Showdown</a>: $25kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-42442379833949206782009-05-03T17:46:00.001-07:002009-05-03T23:19:16.767-07:00Etsy-Heaven: Unique Los Angeles Shopping Event<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Wu2jjBEZElOcoAn1-p1fS6d_rNsB-URhNak26ZA13Ibq9ia0GhaBLzjjY59529XE-F2-oez9T9wYxdktYlrMnTSQv3LMhgu6Ti7F4XFEVeGzAjVftqD7s9rrfs9SWgmxzxup/s1600-h/unique+logo.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Wu2jjBEZElOcoAn1-p1fS6d_rNsB-URhNak26ZA13Ibq9ia0GhaBLzjjY59529XE-F2-oez9T9wYxdktYlrMnTSQv3LMhgu6Ti7F4XFEVeGzAjVftqD7s9rrfs9SWgmxzxup/s320/unique+logo.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331846898759629682" /></a>My first blog of 2009 is a little belated but nothing like experiencing an event featuring <a href="http://www.globaltennisshowdown.com/new/">Swedish tennis and Scandinavian rap stars</a> (to be fully explained in my next posting) as well as some awesome bargain shopping all in one weekend to get me back on the blogging bandwagon.<br /><br />This weekend was the 2nd <a href="http://uniquelosangeles.com/">Unique Los Angeles</a> shopping event at downtown L.A.’s Californai Market Center (the first, which I wanted to go to but missed was in December, 2008.) This two-day bargain extravaganza is Etsy-heaven; dozens of hand-crafted apparel, jewelry, accessories, stationary goods, baby gear...even<a href="http://sweet-meats.com/"> plush toys shaped like slabs of meat</a> all by independent designers. And many items up to 50% off.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLAxgjuhLvRM9aYkH8NoV-B7olzpo6fY9KkdiPGsSL7i0c40kKOP8HlQi8h4tX3a6JPeW1sr9ajUeVAqSZ9KvKe1OVEuNVWEb6Qp2RgX5FrGhKi36nHkcL6-eCkdnYrgeGmkj/s1600-h/wall+of+unique+booths.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLAxgjuhLvRM9aYkH8NoV-B7olzpo6fY9KkdiPGsSL7i0c40kKOP8HlQi8h4tX3a6JPeW1sr9ajUeVAqSZ9KvKe1OVEuNVWEb6Qp2RgX5FrGhKi36nHkcL6-eCkdnYrgeGmkj/s320/wall+of+unique+booths.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331847084406596722" /></a><br />After easy parking (there was ample street parking, but I parked in the underground lot) and a short line to buy an admission ticket ($5, half of which goes to a local charity), it was time to get my shop on.<br /><br />Being the experienced/anal power shopper that I am, I had checked out Unique’s <a href="http://uniquelosangeles.com/vendor.html">vendor list</a> the night before and jotted down a few labels I definitely wanted to visit so I could quickly get in, buy and get out. With over 250 open market-style stalls spread across the penthouse floor of the CMC, I explored each individual aisle like I was at Ralphs armed with my handwritten list of 'must see' vendors. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGukGH4DcrdHrENgzcr34pHv8qxM-n6rwHR4YqEArDmYdI2B8uK8IpNqAm8iQzyxSfiuB0-gTXXfGHtW15ooDmKKvf1ywckJPiNtaxBmJKGuF-nV85eCUlYH8IzkNJUEsQ9VDX/s1600-h/jewelry.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGukGH4DcrdHrENgzcr34pHv8qxM-n6rwHR4YqEArDmYdI2B8uK8IpNqAm8iQzyxSfiuB0-gTXXfGHtW15ooDmKKvf1ywckJPiNtaxBmJKGuF-nV85eCUlYH8IzkNJUEsQ9VDX/s200/jewelry.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331847419438824370" /></a>On a bit of a birthday gift shopping mission—as well as to replenish my sad collection of unmatched single earrings—jewelry was my big focus of the day. And there was plenty of it (maybe close to a quarter of the stalls featured some sort of jewelry.) My first stop was at <a href="http://www.melindalawton.com/store/results.asp?category=41§ion=100">Melinda Lawton Jewelry</a>, where a simple pair of fuschia-hued teardrop gemstone earrings—and their $15 price—caught my eye (especially marked down since the majority of her stuff online sells for over $150.) In comparison-shopping mode, I made a mental note to come back for them later after perusing what other bargains could be had. My wanderings led me to <a href="http://www.ofina.net/">Ofina Jewelry</a>, where I picked up a pair of gold-filled hummingbird earrings ($10) and an initial necklace on a 14K gold chain which I’ve been on the hunt for over a year ($25). It looked exactly the same as an “S” necklace I’ve been eyeing on Abbot Kinney since last summer for $80. <br /><br />On my way to Portland-based <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=95102">Amy Olsen Jewelry</a>, I passed by <a href="http://eleveneleven.net/">11:11 Enterprises</a>’ set up of vinyl passport, credit card-holder and condom covers in cool prints. In need of a new credit card holder ($10), I was thisclose to picking the ‘slabs of raw bacon’ print but ended up on featuring a map of L.A. Perfect, as my Thomas Guide in my car is from 1995.<br /><br />So far, 3 items for me, 0 for my three Gemini friends I was supposed to be shopping for.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLIepCjYa9kMh1O8hhWFl-4-Xuu-CkyPoAS8fdDwXs15TcMu1nL4O2o33hHOc3b85T15lMJW96Rt_H8Y1wc6-3t0IKvjSlpAuW6EOFr5wOTro5fmkUfdDjQ-HvuFJlA5DCfRz/s1600-h/unique+stores.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLIepCjYa9kMh1O8hhWFl-4-Xuu-CkyPoAS8fdDwXs15TcMu1nL4O2o33hHOc3b85T15lMJW96Rt_H8Y1wc6-3t0IKvjSlpAuW6EOFr5wOTro5fmkUfdDjQ-HvuFJlA5DCfRz/s320/unique+stores.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331847730643256546" /></a>Other jewelry vendors worth mentioning included <a href="http://www.darkyetsunny.com/home">Dark Yet Sunny</a><a href="http://www.fleamarketgirl.com/">, Flea Market Girl </a>and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=91806">Emily Tyrie Collections</a>. I finally picked up a couple of b’day presents before heading to my last jewelry stall on my list. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5200010">Nous Savons</a>. They didn’t have any necklaces or earrings I liked for my last b’day friend KK, who’s also a big gardener. Luckily for me, the jewelry label also bizarrely sold plants. Hard-to-find absinthe plant. Done. <br /><br />I traced my way back to <a href="http://www.melindalawton.com/store/results.asp?category=41§ion=100">Melinda Lawton Jewelry</a> only to discover my fuschia earrings dangling on gold posts just got sold to the customer before. However, Melinda awesomely offered to take apart the remaining silver pair and rework the fuschia stones onto gold posts. All for still $15.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdqcjTpwnrcg2V17UuCtuNI_Ho6VDXoHe9KyZYOVGIKQdKQYgUG1wMvNH2Zto6FpM7ddmVf2UIID0msrBi_eJO9A3z6BlTjkNa55hYlOO6PWCXFj-HOwx1ci20XIOUJ5madxt/s1600-h/unique+purchases.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdqcjTpwnrcg2V17UuCtuNI_Ho6VDXoHe9KyZYOVGIKQdKQYgUG1wMvNH2Zto6FpM7ddmVf2UIID0msrBi_eJO9A3z6BlTjkNa55hYlOO6PWCXFj-HOwx1ci20XIOUJ5madxt/s320/unique+purchases.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331847957016279906" /></a><br />There were way too many cool stores to mention; among them, the most fantastically unique…<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6020605">Knickerockers’</a> seductive granny panties,<a href="http://www.sockmonkeyghetto.com/store.php"> Sock Monkey Ghetto</a>'s um street-cred enhanced sock monkeys and <a href="http://www.mincingmockingbird.com/">Mincing Mockingbird</a>'s strange bird humor paintings). In addition to finding interesting, decidedly un-mall-like items at wallet-friendly prices, it’s nice to be able to support local designers just by shopping. I definitely recommend going for some retail therapy when the next <a href="http://uniquelosangeles.com/">Unique Los Angeles</a> event rolls around.<br /><br />Parking: $6 or street<br />Event: $5<br />One necklace, 3 pairs of earrings, a credit-card holder and an absinthe plant: $96<br /><a href="http://uniquelosangeles.com/">Unique Los Angeles</a>kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-35733567599205386052008-11-20T16:00:00.000-08:002008-11-20T17:25:12.994-08:00Sun Salutations at Runyon Canyon: Runyon's Free Outdoor Yoga in the Park<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJziCtfwnzX52GVp5sVwXdFIREuqw36V6IuE4VNI2JiGJ6bvYhqEIyomvJN3PfRsdVrih2vwKSXYtKLvzgBMlUKonkSd-OK3Id3GIOZDglvUU9XGVUMroAi7h901MbQaZCcOG/s1600-h/runyon4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJziCtfwnzX52GVp5sVwXdFIREuqw36V6IuE4VNI2JiGJ6bvYhqEIyomvJN3PfRsdVrih2vwKSXYtKLvzgBMlUKonkSd-OK3Id3GIOZDglvUU9XGVUMroAi7h901MbQaZCcOG/s320/runyon4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270912649429593682" /></a> With a full-time job looming in my near future, I'm spending the last of my fancy-free freelancer weeks crossing off fun activities off my to-do list which have somehow remained undone despite my 10 month office vacation. Ever since I saw a grassy field full of down-doggers near the Fuller entrance while hiking at Runyon Canyon, I've always wanted to try a session of the outdoor yoga class.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxYsu7HVklq920yKes1UITcLh8qbMV9EdW7kGWWFfQRD3x0mw6PktqqaRMtRnv8HGzJy94j9jeynZ0AoDAU-w0pvvTOQ3brEuNjNPprEbFXVAwPbMu_EoLIBC05Ety1MByMCD/s1600-h/RunyonTree.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxYsu7HVklq920yKes1UITcLh8qbMV9EdW7kGWWFfQRD3x0mw6PktqqaRMtRnv8HGzJy94j9jeynZ0AoDAU-w0pvvTOQ3brEuNjNPprEbFXVAwPbMu_EoLIBC05Ety1MByMCD/s320/RunyonTree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270911941199457186" /></a>The daily 10:30am classes aren't really advertised (my googling popped up a feature on <a href="http://www.la.com/recreation/Free_Yoga_at_Runyon_Canyon.html">la.com</a> and a Runyon Canyon Yoga <a href="http://www.myspace.com/runyoncanyonyoga">myspace page </a>but not too much else) so I didn't know if the class was even going to be on for sure when I showed up yesterday. I needn't have worried; when I arrived, about 50 other outdoor yogi's were already spread out across the grassy knoll with their yoga mats. <br /><br />Who are all these people who can take a 10:30am mid-week class? Judging from the attire, it was an equal mix of wannabe actresses (bathing suits and skimpy boy shorts), college students (hollister &/or abercrombie sweats), yoga-lovers (shirtless guys in hemp-looking yoga shorts) and other random freelancer types (wearing a variation of my boring yoga uniform of workout pants from Target and a tank top.) <br /><br />The green area is expansive so there's plenty of room but the entire field is on a slight incline so the yoga exercises are performed on a bit of a slope. I found the least steep patch of space and unrolled my mat. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc66EhWb5_L_XhTo7KrKby4SuxOrkEo44JHQZ6T1_tc1LChIydlj6B3mEAF1FTa0AfqAlWfNnW5lPhVJqiLFeGYLKSuivNHl85b4Na0lS2T2WFag20spf1ISUAatRjZ3ZbHK4R/s1600-h/runyon+3.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc66EhWb5_L_XhTo7KrKby4SuxOrkEo44JHQZ6T1_tc1LChIydlj6B3mEAF1FTa0AfqAlWfNnW5lPhVJqiLFeGYLKSuivNHl85b4Na0lS2T2WFag20spf1ISUAatRjZ3ZbHK4R/s320/runyon+3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270912865444831698" /></a>Already appreciative over the fact that I'd be breathing fresh air during my <span style="font-style:italic;">vinyasas</span> and looking up at a palm tree fringed blue sky during my up-dogs, I didn't have--or need--high expectations on the actual yoga class. Especially because, did I mention it's free? However, Nicole, our certified instructor for the day was really good; for beginners considering the class, she demonstrated each pose and routine and explains correct body placement and breathing rhythms in great detail so it's easy to follow along. For regulars/intermediates: the class was still challenging with optional advanced poses, and besides, crescent pose and warrior 3 is definitely harder when you're doing it on a 5% incline.<br /><br />With distractions such as the picturesque outdoor scenery--and a few pesky bugs (not too bad but I'd imagine quite annoying in the summer)--this ain't you're typical new-agey, chi-balancing yoga class, but it was a fun way to add the sunny outdoors into the mix with yoga; the hour class ends with a <span style="font-style:italic;">savasannah</span> where you're lying down with your feet on the grass and your face in the sun--how SoCal-style can you get? <br /><br />The class was only an hour long, but it was good exercise. I saw a few ambitious types lace up their shoes for a post-yoga hike up the hill but I wasn't quite ready for a double-dose of Runyon yet and headed back to my car instead.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/runyoncanyonyoga">Runyon Canyon Yoga</a><br />Daily at 10:30am<br />Free! (well, they welcome donations, but at the end of the class I saw maybe 3 people out of the 50 drop a couple of dollars in the bag)<br />Fuller Entrance of Runyon Canyon <br />Parking: A total bitch. Allow an extra 10-15 minutes beforehand to find a spot.kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-17535240766463406452008-10-27T12:29:00.000-07:002008-11-04T11:55:20.733-08:00Sculptured Pecs in Malibu; Getty Villa's Roman Statues & Outdoor Garden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-tKCtnxaqNGg8PsaPGZBBhMBUr9rP69Oorhyylqh8b5dN5v0opzPzxyRinwbkwd7wev_3ipS1OoSFqbSv6Q0oNYyPR_Y7dB9j1_KkwGR-RjPjmQiB7GsiTPyR35BjBR_clWS/s1600-h/getty+man.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-tKCtnxaqNGg8PsaPGZBBhMBUr9rP69Oorhyylqh8b5dN5v0opzPzxyRinwbkwd7wev_3ipS1OoSFqbSv6Q0oNYyPR_Y7dB9j1_KkwGR-RjPjmQiB7GsiTPyR35BjBR_clWS/s200/getty+man.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264890229221906050" /></a> Closed in 1997 for 9 years, the Getty opened its Italian villa doors again in early 2006. After multiple last-minute attempts to check out the <a href="http://www.getty.edu/visit/">Getty Villa</a>, we finally got our act together and called a week in advance for tickets (they're free but attendance is limited with tickets only good for certain time slots each day.) I gotta say, for how much fore planning it takes to get the tickets, I was a little underwhelmed by it all. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nxRHDURLcZDNShpESPlKqMinIAgJ7E9AUWnNvqI7JYNWG3FVM4ADrWjYhBkdyQ8nfLv4PAQoW8n97QeLqhtxXpzwusuutBitqUjdzaDBg4aCaLjAcrZ1gDC7oaypqjAnoAH3/s1600-h/pillar.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nxRHDURLcZDNShpESPlKqMinIAgJ7E9AUWnNvqI7JYNWG3FVM4ADrWjYhBkdyQ8nfLv4PAQoW8n97QeLqhtxXpzwusuutBitqUjdzaDBg4aCaLjAcrZ1gDC7oaypqjAnoAH3/s200/pillar.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264891848986020706" /></a> The grounds--a replica of an ancient Italian villa buried under the ashes of Vesuvius--are definitely a more fitting backdrop to view the largely Roman and Greek statues and artwork than the <a href="http://www.getty.edu/visit/">modern Getty Museum</a>, but the meticulously clean and orderly villa lacks much personality. I was more interested in the gardens than the artwork and we joined the audio tour of the gardens. The individual headsets magnifying what the live tour guide was saying were great but the guide's information centered around Italian history more than what we were looking at, and we soon lost interest and broke off to view the gardens on our own. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8fEimZ-_ZI4fPBoBz6Fw08bkNOmw68_66HdsrusDHWkCyeQghZPD7pSXqer96muYG4LPZbs-zCApa9IP1GLH9lNdtcDcA5MB17tu7M1txIyH2Uc5QB8dvM_h6_pk0gj6s7Ta/s1600-h/getty+reclined.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8fEimZ-_ZI4fPBoBz6Fw08bkNOmw68_66HdsrusDHWkCyeQghZPD7pSXqer96muYG4LPZbs-zCApa9IP1GLH9lNdtcDcA5MB17tu7M1txIyH2Uc5QB8dvM_h6_pk0gj6s7Ta/s320/getty+reclined.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262005067537490962" /></a><br />The petite herb garden looked nice but would have been more interesting if it came with plaques highlighting the names and uses of the different plants and the main garden with a rose bush flanked reflecting pool and the sparkling Pacific in the far distance was picturesque but there were no benches to sit and enjoy the space. Overall, the grounds were pretty, but more in a faux-authentic, Disney-fied way.<br /><br />Inside, the majority of the original artwork has been moved to the new Getty and the remaining art focuses primarily on Roman, Greek and Egyptian sculptures, artifacts and paintings. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB87P6_Deey5v6xaOhvnsf9h_fE5eI9VxMxNzrusRPgXl16bNtGNYigLznlBlMzf_oSufO_3lKmK1KbthOKLL4EzqjpfHQhpjAIonEOtA8jCM5_V-gBhm6bUUzTt7DSbQoUez/s1600-h/getty+pool.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB87P6_Deey5v6xaOhvnsf9h_fE5eI9VxMxNzrusRPgXl16bNtGNYigLznlBlMzf_oSufO_3lKmK1KbthOKLL4EzqjpfHQhpjAIonEOtA8jCM5_V-gBhm6bUUzTt7DSbQoUez/s320/getty+pool.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262005404074390914" /></a><br />The Getty Villa is one of those things that's been on my to-do list for a while, so I'm glad I checked it out but if you're curious on what it looks like without really wanting to be bothered to book advance tickets and drive up to the Pacific Palisades, the pictures here pretty much cover all the highlights of the Villa.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.getty.edu/visit/">Getty Villa</a><br />310) 440-7300 for advance tickets<br />Tickets: Free<br />Parking: $10kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-15743512140251371282008-10-20T08:39:00.000-07:002008-10-20T17:37:00.311-07:00Artsy Politics: Ronnie Conal's "No Spitting, No Kidding" Exhibit at Track 16 Gallery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpfy2Ofj3gFlpaKYeVFw2xsTXYF4vRDehF1We5YZ6GNgWpr6ealRQbqYnxvQlMZMvvx5AMstiKImlGKsVaIPdQd3V_kRGLlZgHbQNgO6LSHZ9AcUxj4mgWuPqOfczQSyBJByB/s1600-h/reagan.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpfy2Ofj3gFlpaKYeVFw2xsTXYF4vRDehF1We5YZ6GNgWpr6ealRQbqYnxvQlMZMvvx5AMstiKImlGKsVaIPdQd3V_kRGLlZgHbQNgO6LSHZ9AcUxj4mgWuPqOfczQSyBJByB/s320/reagan.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259379658097232370" /></a><br />I've been on an artsy kick lately (hitting up <a href="http://www.bergamotstation.com/">Bergamot Station</a>, the <a href="http://www.getty.edu/museum/">Getty Center</a> and <a href="http://www.hammer.ucla.edu/exhibitions/139/">John Lautner's architecture exhibit</a> at the <a href="http://www.hammer.ucla.edu/">Hammer</a> in the past couple of weeks), and also on a bit of a political kick (thoroughly into TV's presidential debate season), so I was excited to check out L.A. political artist, Robbie Conal's<a href="http://www.track16.com/index.php"> "No Spitting, No Kidding"</a> exhibit opening at Bergamot Station's <a href="http://www.track16.com/index.php">Track 16 Gallery</a> this past weekend.<br /><br />I wasn't familiar with <a href="http://www.robbieconal.com/">Conal's work</a> prior to the exhibit but was intrigued when I read a profile describing him as one of <a href="http://obeygiant.com/">Shepard Fairey's</a> inspirations and contemporaries. Apparently, Conal has quite a following; several hundred people--a good mix of older, serious artsy-fartsy folks, casually curious art appreciators like me and black-rimmed glasses-wearing Westside 30-somethings--turned out for the event. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-8XuCCBArrpZMhP_Ny79ufvQTwyJ_eR4QZE3T9DFe9rs76yaUDQUqx3ttcgcdT80PoLFVd4yIMJyPnbGVYyHD0IXl_AHNWtdHYC7kNHsKGQJf2glhdwPYzvlNYy8juLEV2pa/s1600-h/artcrowd.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-8XuCCBArrpZMhP_Ny79ufvQTwyJ_eR4QZE3T9DFe9rs76yaUDQUqx3ttcgcdT80PoLFVd4yIMJyPnbGVYyHD0IXl_AHNWtdHYC7kNHsKGQJf2glhdwPYzvlNYy8juLEV2pa/s320/artcrowd.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259389934776281026" /></a><br />Spread throughout 5 large rooms in the 6,000 sq foot gallery, the exhibit is a retrospective showcase of his work over the past 25 years. The eye-catching collection includes large, goopy oil paintings of political figures with pithy slogans (my favorite is the above portrait of Reagan sandwiched between the words CONTRA and DICTION), smaller charcoal-on-canvas caricatures of iconic political personalities and splashy mural-sized collages skewering our obsession with pop culture (American Idol, Michael Jackon and even Alf and the smurfs get an artistic shout-out.)<br /><br />I could explain the clever and visually arresting art pieces in more detail, but they say 5 pictures is worth five thousand words...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-Uafs9ZGB_ONLhmMuUOo4SQJGYH3I3nh0lBv0wRAZcvu3Wd1KV2CJ4CL3JA8iXGe8cj2lTf01ETa52Sq5xbeBvrU4UK0yJp6N9wf8oFReTwAuKrLjprLeWZ2fla0wNTKhogN/s1600-h/gandhi.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-Uafs9ZGB_ONLhmMuUOo4SQJGYH3I3nh0lBv0wRAZcvu3Wd1KV2CJ4CL3JA8iXGe8cj2lTf01ETa52Sq5xbeBvrU4UK0yJp6N9wf8oFReTwAuKrLjprLeWZ2fla0wNTKhogN/s320/gandhi.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259381631228789218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCW5K54XkY1d47R4Mozku6gRooRIl7oo_1t5z3DUrGjz1jZNnmX1mklCVn-rnkrGjke35tZ_ticJB8syX97UUXiXRHNl45bjoL4dorOKE0MzkLEHYIWn-YZ9ZPp8OqpKU-YOA/s1600-h/bush.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCW5K54XkY1d47R4Mozku6gRooRIl7oo_1t5z3DUrGjz1jZNnmX1mklCVn-rnkrGjke35tZ_ticJB8syX97UUXiXRHNl45bjoL4dorOKE0MzkLEHYIWn-YZ9ZPp8OqpKU-YOA/s320/bush.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259381937238970098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TGzjkRdcO5uhztuFvKR88KpM92v1v1p2oSxE-NAnws1_M260oU86_Jrvnvd3OHKDZ3XnjTTcBTyMVSJwne99pIb1qlVwx94ydafvzHxWbmmfZchUb7Gmw5apFNDr1OoV4q-T/s1600-h/wall+of+pics.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TGzjkRdcO5uhztuFvKR88KpM92v1v1p2oSxE-NAnws1_M260oU86_Jrvnvd3OHKDZ3XnjTTcBTyMVSJwne99pIb1qlVwx94ydafvzHxWbmmfZchUb7Gmw5apFNDr1OoV4q-T/s320/wall+of+pics.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259390160362128034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCT0z7PzG77yISRlLYBAdT_PiK1KaQ6PZQiS0HiATFs1MZb5PzKbYbEuMRZ_dnNfY2MTp6y9MIagibBRiBEZB306iTbC8U8jSt96sJlUBBj0mnYR3yUtmxJSWWvu6lJpRyol4/s1600-h/tammy+faye.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCT0z7PzG77yISRlLYBAdT_PiK1KaQ6PZQiS0HiATFs1MZb5PzKbYbEuMRZ_dnNfY2MTp6y9MIagibBRiBEZB306iTbC8U8jSt96sJlUBBj0mnYR3yUtmxJSWWvu6lJpRyol4/s320/tammy+faye.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259384194920040770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZqmqMJ1T9_YtytTMxU8vK_xMU5xDpBia6dHLA2rciARmmxCq-FkZW6ST-ZUyhiaLWLoc46NRL4VuNxTbaivt-CLgYNj-l2PS7_Khw92-3WFqb92VUOBi6P15O_2PslETB2UC/s1600-h/jimmy.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZqmqMJ1T9_YtytTMxU8vK_xMU5xDpBia6dHLA2rciARmmxCq-FkZW6ST-ZUyhiaLWLoc46NRL4VuNxTbaivt-CLgYNj-l2PS7_Khw92-3WFqb92VUOBi6P15O_2PslETB2UC/s320/jimmy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259388719729953538" /></a><br />The opening reception invite touted a surprise musical guest by a "Hollywood Bowl" headliner. The amps and guitars set up in the corner clued me in it wasn't going to be the Philharmonic but I was stoked when L.A. Latin/hip-hop/punk band <a href="http://www.ozomatli.com/site.php">Ozomatli</a> greeted the crowd. The surprise bonus concert capped off a great night of complimentary booze and conversation-starting artwork. Ozomatli played a breezy 6-song, 40 minute set, including a band-&-audience group serenade of 'happy birthday' to artist and birthday boy, Ronnie Conal. The fact that the high-energy concert was inside an art gallery--usually a venue that encourages hushed tones--made it even more fun. Even better was seeing the gray-haired art-crowd contingent enthusiastically bopping their heads to the punky, 8-piece band and grabbing flyers to the 2am afterparty at an undisclosed location in downtown L.A.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJRRpeYqyPSanP8eqpApVT_OuU-zOf6D2tm-IzmvykHvgdGcJLFMYiT763ps6c7AvGVynpOlrLRtQyBSZYOSQzYG_DbyVYNTQqztdsRrnOMGNn6gpSifZJjN_0WAJ4bVD6w_-/s1600-h/dancing+artsters.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJRRpeYqyPSanP8eqpApVT_OuU-zOf6D2tm-IzmvykHvgdGcJLFMYiT763ps6c7AvGVynpOlrLRtQyBSZYOSQzYG_DbyVYNTQqztdsRrnOMGNn6gpSifZJjN_0WAJ4bVD6w_-/s320/dancing+artsters.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259386351744486482" /></a><br /><br />The exhibit runs through November 22nd. Whether you agree with Robbie Conal's political philosophies or not, his visually arresting artwork is worth checking out and a great excuse to visit the greatly underrated <a href="http://sunnydaysalamode.blogspot.com/2006/10/bergamot-station-with-30-galleries-all.html">Bergamot Station art galleries</a>.<br /><br />Ronnie Conal "<a href="http://www.track16.com/exhibitions/2008-09-06-robbieconal/photos.php">No Spitting, No Kidding</a>" Art Exhibit<br />Track 16 Gallery, Bergamot Station<br />2525 Michigan Ave, Bulding C-1, Santa Monica<br />310.264-4678<br />Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 6 PMkiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-34869800226295863542008-10-08T19:02:00.001-07:002008-10-08T19:10:01.652-07:00Whatever Floats Your Boat: A Session at "Floatation Location's" Sensory Deprivation Tank<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeoPS18CS04wAuA7sWRaiy91FEsqg0GXt-MXdzUb4TIu0zsKb0T46efV-bPsb0kLEDtLVOUzsdNz8FZj4n487Pb38Lwq9qI2VXVCzwHB0PEFkT4deCwVUI25flhsu8HLfJoGT/s1600-h/bluetank.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeoPS18CS04wAuA7sWRaiy91FEsqg0GXt-MXdzUb4TIu0zsKb0T46efV-bPsb0kLEDtLVOUzsdNz8FZj4n487Pb38Lwq9qI2VXVCzwHB0PEFkT4deCwVUI25flhsu8HLfJoGT/s320/bluetank.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254967951463347858" /></a><br />Yesterday, I headed to Venice’s <a href="http://www.floatationlocation.com/index.html">Floatation Location</a> to redeem my gift certificate my friend Melissa gave me for a complimentary ‘float session.’<br /><br />Although sensory deprivation water tanks are purported to be an ultimate relaxation inducer—their website lists<a href="http://www.floatationlocation.com/Benefits.html"> benefits</a> including alleviated stress, diminished depression and anxiety, released muscle tension, deep meditation and even freedom from habits, phobias and addictions—the Floatation Location is not for the pampered Burke Williams Spa attendee. Tucked away in a non-descript mini-mall along Venice’s beachfront walk, the bare-bones space has more of a vibe of a home office/reception area...but with two doors leading to a set of super duper bathrooms equipped with a shower and enclosed metal bathtub contraption. <br /><br />Don’t let the grungy setting sketch you out; the tank is filtered, drained and cleaned after every float session, and the near ton worth of Epsom salts kills off any lingering bacteria from the previous floatee.<br /><br />Owner Chris Rymarz greeted me and gave me the low-down; “you take off your clothes, shower off any lotions and soaps on your skin then go float in the tank.” He handed me a set of ear-plugs (to protect against salt-crystals in your ears after the water evaporates) and explicit instructions to keep my face dry (so the salty water won’t run into and sting my eyes or nose) and left me to it.<br /><br />I had no idea what to expect (a coffin-like capsule? A giant dunk tank like at a fair?) but the float tank is like a regular bathtub enclosed in a 5ft-high metal contraption with a refrigerator door opening. I opened the door to find a dark but shallow bath. <br /><br />I sat down in the 14” deep tub and close the door. Complete darkness. <br /><br />Being inside a pitch black box is surprisingly not claustophobic at all, the darkness makes the space around you feel more vast and outer space-like than tight and enclosing. The warm water is only about a foot deep, but with 800 lbs of Epsom salts dissolved into the oxygenated water, I had the buoyancy of a cork; as a laid down, my limbs and torso automatically floated to the top. Lined with a black interior, it’s too dark to see anything and there’s no difference if my eyes are open or closed. With my ears half submerged underwater with earplugs, all I can hear is the sound of my own breathing (which automatically shifts to a slow, deep inhale, exhale) and my heartbeat.<br /><br />Laying on top of water is really comfortable, but I’m a fidgeter so I rotated between the various poses Chris recommended; arms out to the side in a yoga <span style="font-style:italic;">Savasanah</span> pose, arms bent by my head in a ‘hands up or I’ll shoot’ position and entwined behind my neck in a ‘reclining in a deck chair’ pose. Relaxing my mind took a bit longer, but I slowly embraced the nothingness and entered a calm, dreamy state. <br /><br />Thoughts drift in and out of my head then soon, I feel ready to get out. I have no sense of time and worry it hasn’t been long enough (I want to get my gift certificate’s worth) but when I check the clock, I’ve been floating in oblivion for 70 minutes. I can still feel my achy, knot-filled shoulders and I'm pretty sure the float hasn't cured me of my bad habits, but I feel both super relaxed and refreshed. <br /><br />It’s hard to explain the experience but the closest description is as if you were sleeping, but also awake so you can consciously enjoy the feeling of snoozing. Floating might not for everyone, but it's an interesting-enough experience to try if you want to block out the world for an hour or so.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.floatationlocation.com/index.html">Floatation Location</a><br />Hours Vary, call for an appt: 310 255-1905<br />$50 per sessionkiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-31170996098057565862008-09-02T14:56:00.000-07:002008-09-02T18:47:44.516-07:00Flying Pigeon, Crouching Dim Sum: Flying Pigeon's Dim Sum Bike Ride<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zrfPCcGqcrID53zzbBmDAzgWq8R1POQPmN92avPkGu21lb6VCLraKvx_5IAuYc-wY1ygM_iQ0OeOF1Mkpa6QhHdRkPClvT5IDb9bhFszRpqXhAtDrZzDRrQhzjslhWPGVSl0/s1600-h/bikes.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zrfPCcGqcrID53zzbBmDAzgWq8R1POQPmN92avPkGu21lb6VCLraKvx_5IAuYc-wY1ygM_iQ0OeOF1Mkpa6QhHdRkPClvT5IDb9bhFszRpqXhAtDrZzDRrQhzjslhWPGVSl0/s320/bikes.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241567016680602162" /></a><br />The majority of my motivation to exercise is linked where my friends and I can dine out afterwards (I go to Runyon if I have a craving for <a href="http://www.blujamcafe.com/">Blu Jam Cafe</a>'s deliciously eggy-cheesy-bacony croissant sandwiches, feel like a sunset dinner at <a href="http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/139260">Reel Inn</a>? Then, a hike and swim at Point Dume is in order, <a href="http://dintaifungusa.com/index.html">Din Tai Fung</a>'s juicy dumplings way out in Arcadia? Well, there must be <a href="http://sunnydaysalamode.blogspot.com/2006/08/debut-of-adventure-sundays-santa-anita.html">a hike somewhere near there</a>...)<br /><br />This Sunday, I satisfied my craving for Dim Sum by joining <a href="http://flyingpigeon-la.com/">Flying Pigeon Bike Shop</a>'s organized bike ride down to Chinatown for some chinese-style brunch. The newly opened store is located in Highland Park, an area so far away from my apt in Venice that I had to look up where that is (it's near South Pasadena), but at 9:15am on a traffic-less Sunday morning, it took Chrissy and I only 25 minutes to drive there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1foFheynARlIupfr6waprppDXJXftjQyfDcICPSY4zQV_Lw8w5gHG4gt0PwbhyY05oEhtTk2OOLki_wwh6oq0SKpfAncQ7B2L3kwtaQeQuST5JKIoWinsFtaaZo2PFz8ToYOc/s1600-h/gold+line.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1foFheynARlIupfr6waprppDXJXftjQyfDcICPSY4zQV_Lw8w5gHG4gt0PwbhyY05oEhtTk2OOLki_wwh6oq0SKpfAncQ7B2L3kwtaQeQuST5JKIoWinsFtaaZo2PFz8ToYOc/s200/gold+line.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241567249662476594" /></a>Due to a mention on <a href="http://www.dailycandy.com/los_angeles/article/38406/Kung+Fu+Pigeon">Daily Candy </a>earlier that week, there were about 16 of us that showed up for the Dim Sum Bike Ride. The crowd was cool; no hardcore bike riders, just mainly Eastsiders interested in getting some fresh air and eating dim sum. Adam, the super-friendly and knowledgeable owner, hooked everyone up with a bike (free of charge, participants only need to pay for the Dim Sum meal.) The Flying Pigeon store is stocked with their namesake 'Flying Pigeon' bikes imported from China. These retro-looking, Cultural Revolution-era designed bikes are the most popular selling bikes in China (80 million sold and counting), and therefore, the biggest selling bikes in the world. They come in black, red, orange, yellow, pink and green. Set up fully loaded, the bikes are equipped with a sturdy bike basket, wheel lock, vertical kick-stand, a robust bell and a cool, battery-less bike light which gets activated by pedal-power. The bikes come with one speed but unlike beach cruisers, have brakes and a more upright posture. Being a 5'4 shorty, the 28" wheels were a teeny big for me, but that's what tippy-toes are for, and it was fine.<br /><br />After a test-run in the back parking lot, we're on the road! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-skOYf6CXvqAUZm1d599_rW-mcN2VEGKtPxvsf_y4EwBRkK5EYGZeunapyfVUXyTu9a0qVSGXIn6hXOaQo-g0H6ro3UD2jda85pKrQy2Fcr27MNP5fQZBAKfA06VItVEMudh/s1600-h/bike+bridge.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-skOYf6CXvqAUZm1d599_rW-mcN2VEGKtPxvsf_y4EwBRkK5EYGZeunapyfVUXyTu9a0qVSGXIn6hXOaQo-g0H6ro3UD2jda85pKrQy2Fcr27MNP5fQZBAKfA06VItVEMudh/s320/bike+bridge.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241570228591063186" /></a>Avoiding major roads, we cruised along a bike route that took us along the Gold Line train, on a bridge overlooking the L.A. river and down through Chinatown. The easy-moderate bike ride took about half an hour--easy enough not to break a sweat, but long enough to make you feel like you earned the Dim Sum meal. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnt_sO_cWrQkRG_MiVOC3WNdiNdH-FDvsiNak1wb4t1_ck0RI6nad45ZSCKrXMycAauPttSK9qFbEhooXDzyjmDfucttl0jkAmKBxp20uoHIjAPXlD59Awu7DUASJlgQrwPjf/s1600-h/dimsum.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnt_sO_cWrQkRG_MiVOC3WNdiNdH-FDvsiNak1wb4t1_ck0RI6nad45ZSCKrXMycAauPttSK9qFbEhooXDzyjmDfucttl0jkAmKBxp20uoHIjAPXlD59Awu7DUASJlgQrwPjf/s320/dimsum.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241604394749570210" /></a>Flying Pigeon rotates their dim sum destinations weekly. This Sunday, we were headed to <a href="http://www.empresspavilion.com/">Empress Pavilion</a>--one of Chinatown's most popular dim sum spots. They don't take reservations, but another perk of joining this Sunday's Flying Pigeon Bike Posse, is that the bike shop called ahead and made prior arrangements so instead of the typical 45 minute wait, we had a table waiting for us when we arrived. The zero wait is pretty much worth the bike ride alone. Dim Sum is unbelievably cheap and fast; waitstaff come around with carts of steamed buns, vegetables, dumplings, banana-wrapped sticky rice, bbq pork etc and diners can just point and order right then and there. Our gluttonous table pretty much ordered triples of whatever was displayed in front of us. Faves included the steamed bbq pork buns, shrimp <span style="font-style:italic;">har gao</span> dumplings in rice paper, chinese broccoli and egg custard <span style="font-style:italic;">dun tarts</span>. Our bill for twelve of us was just $11 each, including tip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpshkILgG3OVWKSyVVtOosFG-uB3GNzOdP9Rix0xyP0cRUZDVcPGV_WDAhkwQPPFDDrcmqds50SpG4FGJykAbgFqy2VCILl6du-69xNg-y6g92dCTw9RNNHjVUJStNod0ztHhW/s1600-h/chinatown.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpshkILgG3OVWKSyVVtOosFG-uB3GNzOdP9Rix0xyP0cRUZDVcPGV_WDAhkwQPPFDDrcmqds50SpG4FGJykAbgFqy2VCILl6du-69xNg-y6g92dCTw9RNNHjVUJStNod0ztHhW/s200/chinatown.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241601850674571490" /></a>One long bike ride for the day was enough, so afterwards, we pedaled through Chinatown's art gallery alleyway, down the vendor-filled Olvera Street and into Union Station, where we got a train ticket ($1.25) to ride on the Gold Line back to Flying Pigeon. One of the perks of nobody using the public train system in L.A. is that there's no-one to complain if you can take up a whole carriage and load up a dozen bikes in the aisleway during the ride. The store is one block from the Highland Park stop so it was another 60 second pedal before making it back and returning our bikes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHutKnq8QuhgAb3o3xnD-6Y56scIbcW_Ye-npkbCAPopDW9UYEGVo8JmweiT3v6p1E_EyBHqnGo2E205n9Sa00EVuOPSrNT7SnZEHu5YDk0tLHe0c-K2i308nVnRsDqQP0-dZT/s1600-h/bikes+on+train.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHutKnq8QuhgAb3o3xnD-6Y56scIbcW_Ye-npkbCAPopDW9UYEGVo8JmweiT3v6p1E_EyBHqnGo2E205n9Sa00EVuOPSrNT7SnZEHu5YDk0tLHe0c-K2i308nVnRsDqQP0-dZT/s320/bikes+on+train.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241600790327099506" /></a>The Dim Sum bike ride was a really fun way to explore the city by bike <span style="font-style:italic;">and</span> by train (in this city, both are novelties in themselves) and as always, a good excuse to eat yummy food. Although you could replicate this on your own, it was fun biking in a group and less intimidating to be pedaling <span style="font-style:italic;">en masse</span> on the streets next to speeding cars. It was also nice to have bike guides who've already mapped out and tested out the bike route for you, so instead of worrying about getting lost, you can just focus on not falling off your bike in public when making shaky turns. <br /><br />Flying Pigeon does Dim Sum Bike rides every Sunday at 10am and plans to expand with other bike rides to Little Tokyo and nearby wine shops for some vino-tasting. Check out their <a href="http://flyingpigeon-la.com/">website</a> for additional details. No need to BYO bike, just your appetite.<br />Free! (They don't charge bike rentals, just bring approx $15 for Dim Sum)<br />Flying Pigeon Bikes: $299kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-63401680500611922292008-08-24T15:33:00.000-07:002008-08-24T22:13:13.792-07:00Swingin' Times in Korea Town: Hitting Balls at Aroma Center Golf Range<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL5ls4mBaMR3H8Wu6vLRYkUOFmXXylKGUBCEG7CM7r5BvnipxkXmOi6cVDL8o0-gEeUwVhyJRRYFq3UK5uHJOYNWuI4XttCoi5hODMy6KIdappt1Qm0VAebNr9w88XZylM8t-/s1600-h/ugly+shoe+swinging.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL5ls4mBaMR3H8Wu6vLRYkUOFmXXylKGUBCEG7CM7r5BvnipxkXmOi6cVDL8o0-gEeUwVhyJRRYFq3UK5uHJOYNWuI4XttCoi5hODMy6KIdappt1Qm0VAebNr9w88XZylM8t-/s320/ugly+shoe+swinging.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238232020881022194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYB2E9426govG5ikTl0vgoM5SB_-r1jc71cd8FEHOa1-q-SUT-zqSWWzLpixLOSz9SySc3vIvONP4w-LCVB01lG3nio_QaCyidMcL0V2JycvjwlogvGGVsmVv6N4SfqRPXBE0/s1600-h/driving+range.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYB2E9426govG5ikTl0vgoM5SB_-r1jc71cd8FEHOa1-q-SUT-zqSWWzLpixLOSz9SySc3vIvONP4w-LCVB01lG3nio_QaCyidMcL0V2JycvjwlogvGGVsmVv6N4SfqRPXBE0/s200/driving+range.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238235409729261586" /></a>I was uncomfortably naked <a href="http://sunnydaysalamode.blogspot.com/2006/01/century-sports-club-korean-spa-no.html">the last time I was in Korea Town</a>, but on a slow Friday night, <a href="http://sunnydaysalamode.blogspot.com/2006/01/price-of-ugly-shoes_10.html">Ugly Shoe</a> and I decided to head that way to hit some balls at the <a href="http://www.aromaresort.com/golf.html">Aroma Resort</a> driving range in Korea Town. I've been here once before years ago and still remember it well as one of those cool and random, "I'm not in L.A." activities. That's because the driving range is on the forth floor of an unassuming office building--and you whack the golf balls over a parking lot, deep into the net-protected night sky.<br /><br />Finding easy street parking right outside the building, we headed up to the 3rd floor elevator to the front desk area where we purchased a bucket of balls ($10 for 143 balls, perfect for sharing between two without getting our biceps too tired) and rented some clubs ($2 each.) There were plenty of serious golfers wielding their complete golf set of irons and woods but as a beginner, I was fine with the recommended 7 iron. We headed upstairs to the 4th floor to hit some balls!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FjN1Zc1czyMYSAZGpJd9RXZdHvx1_XDSfECa8kfog_9TY0pUMDX0f9UfphkCAy63-f7DuBFBekhzN_UoBFLf41RzBEKaNEnPhD4MZXDmS-ybkQ_cp9iXiB3Buunj0iInqXx5/s1600-h/machine.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FjN1Zc1czyMYSAZGpJd9RXZdHvx1_XDSfECa8kfog_9TY0pUMDX0f9UfphkCAy63-f7DuBFBekhzN_UoBFLf41RzBEKaNEnPhD4MZXDmS-ybkQ_cp9iXiB3Buunj0iInqXx5/s320/machine.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238234887005462690" /></a>We found an empty tee station among the row of elderly Korean and Japanese men seriously swinging away. I haven't gone to many driving ranges, but this spot seemed pretty high-tech. Instead of a literal bucket of balls, we were handed a punch card that you insert into a machine. The machine automatically tees up your golf ball (it emerges from a small hole by your feet--the height of the tee can also be controlled with a pedal by the golfer) after every hit. The machine also keeps a tally of how many balls you have left so there's nothing to cloud your mind except how to whack the balls as far as they will go. Or, in my case, just simply connecting with the ball.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKJEFXm2pRA8gTMwAE_ybA73hxlj-vhbbs2aYArV5n-RL4kUR86vQSlXeUWfEF_WGZoRNGdfleUXprg4CXH5oqi8_YAnI3VjiKEmzR2Y-hCp5D5o7xG0SvCZxLRgaHmh32mlo/s1600-h/row+of+golfers.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKJEFXm2pRA8gTMwAE_ybA73hxlj-vhbbs2aYArV5n-RL4kUR86vQSlXeUWfEF_WGZoRNGdfleUXprg4CXH5oqi8_YAnI3VjiKEmzR2Y-hCp5D5o7xG0SvCZxLRgaHmh32mlo/s320/row+of+golfers.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238235072526794402" /></a>Ugly Shoe was a pro, lining up his tee and hitting the ball way to the end of the 150ft long net in one fluid motion. After a few (well, many) false starts with 360 missed swings and badly-aimed hits leaving the ball to just dribble off the edge and fall into the net below, I finally got the hang and at least hit it somewhere in the 75ft range. Hitting the balls were fun but the surreal surroundings makes this above par (sorry, couldn't resist) over other golf ranges.<br /><br />As you're lobbing your balls over the car-filled parking lot underneath, all you see is Los Angeles' open city in front of you; tall office buildings and palm trees silhouetted against the hazy-purple night sky--the panoramic view broken only by flying white balls hurtling through the dark night. <br /><br />Aroma Resort @ Wilshire Center, 3rd Floor <br />3680 Wilshire Blvd (cnr of Wilshire & Serrano, two blocks E of Western)<br /> <a href="http://www.aromaresort.com/golf.html">Aroma Resort</a><br />$10 for 143 golf ballskiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-81742377667177352802008-07-15T18:32:00.000-07:002008-07-19T14:27:49.991-07:00Royal/T: High Kitsch High Tea<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoKL-M6KSFnvv0XE7Jg9n5ztWs2hqZ-lKaNd6JtJl6InIMivnLr1Psze4z-ls0e_deH4tsi8gk2XZAcUF40D02Fc09-qNDJ8UVHkiutr6qIvSsJHruWx9M-YIfwbSpfTmXJS_/s1600-h/royal+t.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoKL-M6KSFnvv0XE7Jg9n5ztWs2hqZ-lKaNd6JtJl6InIMivnLr1Psze4z-ls0e_deH4tsi8gk2XZAcUF40D02Fc09-qNDJ8UVHkiutr6qIvSsJHruWx9M-YIfwbSpfTmXJS_/s200/royal+t.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224836987312529586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdIbmEtF-Yfvq7nOKpfBG8c-kSjCNuemf4sSXLxrYKs-H2VwLX9ZkTWC8M7k6F-SpR7Ur5HgBU1eP6y8u1emtis4t_Tu8OE9qZEUFbgtby1tBDegENzGMx27FNfakqnDB3UYy/s1600-h/royalt2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdIbmEtF-Yfvq7nOKpfBG8c-kSjCNuemf4sSXLxrYKs-H2VwLX9ZkTWC8M7k6F-SpR7Ur5HgBU1eP6y8u1emtis4t_Tu8OE9qZEUFbgtby1tBDegENzGMx27FNfakqnDB3UYy/s200/royalt2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224828608779372258" /></a>I've been wanting to check out <a href="http://www.royal-t.org">Royal/T</a> ever since I heard about the kitschy-weird cafe in Culver City with food served by Japanese girls in French maid outfits. When an old friend who's never been to L.A. came to visit last week, Royal/T popped up as a perfect venue to show my Kiwi friend an 'Only in L.A.' (and maybe Tokyo) experience. Set a few blocks east from the newly bustling downtown Culver City, the restaurant is easy to miss (despite the pink neon crown insignia and hedge-covered facade.) Upon arrival, we discovered it's actually more of a gallery/experimental space/shop/cafe shared within a spacious loft-style, communal space. <br /><br />The current--and inaugural--exhibit, <span style="font-style:italic;">Just Love Me</span>, is an exploration of all things cute, or, more accurately, "kawaii". So this means we were dining under paintings of Bambi-eyed <span style="font-style:italic;">anime</span>girls, ceramic statues of cuddly Sanrio-esque aliens and Louis Vutton initialed art prints from famed pop-artist Murakami (who recently had his own exhibit at Moca). For sale were hipster-friendly items such as photobooks of Japanese trendsters in Gothic-Lolita garb, weird plush toys and of course, french maid dressed action heroines. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeVq9qeeDVODRkLJYVoULHbjhE87w3Fo3ZzyTgxhphkASygZ9kezIODLLuDnk-aMEpKprlBe_7d1zraSdD4ljZTIIflDMm3RPq8d6qZIzYMr-VIW1Xa5_VuHuv1k0XTGvejZc/s1600-h/food.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeVq9qeeDVODRkLJYVoULHbjhE87w3Fo3ZzyTgxhphkASygZ9kezIODLLuDnk-aMEpKprlBe_7d1zraSdD4ljZTIIflDMm3RPq8d6qZIzYMr-VIW1Xa5_VuHuv1k0XTGvejZc/s200/food.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224832054273876034" /></a>Like the Tokyo-pop style french maid costumes, the food is a mix of Japanese & French, with a bit of Caifornian thrown in. Lunch items were a mix of sandwiches (my friend Pip ordered the spicy tuna tar tar with avocado on sourdough$9.00), salads (such as yuzu shrimp with asparagus, tomatoes and avocado) rice bowls (I got the Royal/T curry rice with chicken $9.00)) and the Royal/T High Tea with tea, small patries, mini quiche, Kappa Maki, California roll and Spicy Tuna finger sandwiches ($19.50) Pip's sandwich looked good but I didn't love mine. I was expecting curry-flavored rice with chunks of white chicken'n'japanese curry gravy but got a bowl of curry sauce with a chicken drumstick and a side of steamed rice. They had interesting drinks such as watermelon juice, ginger lemonade and a selection of teas. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEial-S_hhWt0x2tctTq7k43Y9nbJbM_4lnseXhjfHDuNfZJLFfvdDcgu-D5ZprCJbMsfkUFqw1E_MAkOx1xSYDSl3dsz1yhB5G6_4_38x0ePtCD_gsXaac8zLK_4eQBmo1tUd17/s1600-h/maid.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEial-S_hhWt0x2tctTq7k43Y9nbJbM_4lnseXhjfHDuNfZJLFfvdDcgu-D5ZprCJbMsfkUFqw1E_MAkOx1xSYDSl3dsz1yhB5G6_4_38x0ePtCD_gsXaac8zLK_4eQBmo1tUd17/s200/maid.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224839124818548370" /></a>I don't know what it is about cute costumes, but everything <span style="font-style:italic;">did</span> taste a little better when served by a Japanese maid, or, in our case, we also had a perky brunette sporting fake pigtail extensions. Although more Sanrio/Alice in Wonderland than fantasy-rated, our maids/servers were still a fun novelty, and super friendly, even obliging requests from the couple sitting next to us for a photo-op. I chickened out and covertly took a pic of the maid from behind instead.<br /><br />Although the food's just okay, I wouldn't be opposed to going back to Royal/T, the gallery and store space is interesting and it's still a more entertaining alternative than Starbucks or <a href="http://www.zenzootea.com">Zen Zoo Tea</a> for grabbing a cup of tea.<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.royal-t.org">Royal/T</a><br />8910 Washington Blvd, Culver City<br />310/559-6300<br />Lunch with a drink: Approx $15kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-62049444577101352602008-07-15T16:28:00.000-07:002008-07-16T10:20:57.710-07:00Lovin' High School Girls Who Stay the Same Age As You Get Older at the Drive In: Dazed & Confused Outdoor Screening<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJWLLXpFIfNpB3QbnUy4fWkrkzJHfo6qJWN3rqH2X5nVRaJ_ySVSozSGQO5PuduMwc_CrJgz10ZC_s7bnrx2XdJbJwnqDWpbxpjdBZIEB1aScLHN3yum3Kmzqc9eWJpvEzRHG/s1600-h/screen.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJWLLXpFIfNpB3QbnUy4fWkrkzJHfo6qJWN3rqH2X5nVRaJ_ySVSozSGQO5PuduMwc_CrJgz10ZC_s7bnrx2XdJbJwnqDWpbxpjdBZIEB1aScLHN3yum3Kmzqc9eWJpvEzRHG/s320/screen.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223662907773468898" /></a><br /><br />Apparently, I'm on an outdoor screening roll. Less than a month after my Hollywood Forever Cementary experience, I was invited to another screening event which--while not six feet under--was more of an underground affair. <br /><br />This screening series--which runs every two weeks throughout the summer--is a combo of a drive-in (complete with audio piped in through car speakers and rollerskates'n'mini-skirted carhops) and a sit-in (a nice strip of astroturf is laid out for those who prefer to spread out on cushions and lawn chairs.)<br /><br />A nondescript, rundown and total fire hazard of a rooftop parking garage served as the 'theater'. Upon the entrance ramp, viewers have the choice of driving up to the theater or parking downstairs if you want to watch <span style="font-style:italic;">sans</span> car. Although I've never been to a drive-in before and was intrigued by commanding carhop service with the mere flash of my Prius' high-beams, we were meeting some friends so opted for the car-less, lawn-chair section instead.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI20PFcfhUL-paiauj4uISccQpbpg-5iefaml0YD3dp6LsO1xm_6x0TKjVtYE9ST0eo0M0h9GaRcJkToFjxliOmVgoLbOQ_1c1Ndkp1zHXwVXpSJSfXSefhq_mOIIIUnSwOIL6/s1600-h/flash+car.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI20PFcfhUL-paiauj4uISccQpbpg-5iefaml0YD3dp6LsO1xm_6x0TKjVtYE9ST0eo0M0h9GaRcJkToFjxliOmVgoLbOQ_1c1Ndkp1zHXwVXpSJSfXSefhq_mOIIIUnSwOIL6/s320/flash+car.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223651550879422434" /></a><br />Armed with enough blankets and cushions to recreate a harlem-style living room, we settled in at the front of the 'theater'. The featured film was <span style="font-style:italic;">Dazed and Confused</span> so I was expecting to battle it out for blanket space amongst a legion of hipster stoners but the turnout was surprisingly--and pleasantly--small. There were maybe two dozen cars and about 80 people tops, sprawled along the astroturf in front of the screen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsmyVnWC-4doXx1y7oZqRXO4il1PpBFDqAesf7mrlBCTQ4_Ua45JJgIjWQKD6DCU0XcS5TGBXKvQCqE0uhxkv4rCeD_p2n9s4HqiUf8w2bwKKoRcnTP7UfCV759wRO_Yw6924/s1600-h/derby.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsmyVnWC-4doXx1y7oZqRXO4il1PpBFDqAesf7mrlBCTQ4_Ua45JJgIjWQKD6DCU0XcS5TGBXKvQCqE0uhxkv4rCeD_p2n9s4HqiUf8w2bwKKoRcnTP7UfCV759wRO_Yw6924/s200/derby.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223648698525526834" /></a>Similar to the Hollywood Cemetery, doors open 90 mins before the screening starts and food and wine are encouraged, so there's plenty of time to pre-film tailgating. Too hungry for basic brie and crackers, we had picked up a Papa John's pizza along the way and downed our slices with red wine while simultaneously admiring the skyline silhouetted against the setting sun and wondering if the decrepid, adjacent apartment building was a crackhouse (while safe, the neighborhood had a level of sketchiness). For those not prepared with their own BYOPicnicking fare, rollerskating carhops are on hand to serve hotdogs, nachos and other snacks. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUczWX9oUsvr1J_Z6Um_dU1wL2zvU9002T0aiQNlz6PN4vRakcTex36AhLrsXlPyuQNjV7UJLGsYAB3c7JXmoUnuDFt1i6BPOGLApx8-qkPKoE1JxeWmTOFfUhcU6yg18kNrI/s1600-h/car.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUczWX9oUsvr1J_Z6Um_dU1wL2zvU9002T0aiQNlz6PN4vRakcTex36AhLrsXlPyuQNjV7UJLGsYAB3c7JXmoUnuDFt1i6BPOGLApx8-qkPKoE1JxeWmTOFfUhcU6yg18kNrI/s320/car.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223654869180612994" /></a><br />Promptly at 9pm, the projector--sitting on top of a vintage '50's Chevy--started whirling and the cult 90's film started. <span style="font-style:italic;">Dazed and Confused </span>is one of those films where I've watched parts of it a million times, but haven't sat down to watch in its entirety in years. Viewing it in its full-screen glory is the ideal way to enjoy D&C's bam-bam-bam succession of quotable dialogue; for best line, it's a toss up between McConaughey's "Say man, you got a joint?...It'd be a lot cooler if you did." and Parker Posie barking "What are you looking at? Wipe that face off your head, bitch!" <br /><br />Although the parking lot's cramped ramps would normally be a nightmare to navigate out of after the screening, due to the wonderfully small turnout, exiting the theater was a traffic jamless breeze.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhIWL-iHPUKj8gCplMMnU6KZXm7nh098e_t0SeE1RtMKCb8S61SpDBFMe6GHv1Lc2Hul8HeZOx_qHKykA3Crot5WU-s1HifsKgANcEEqP6YQ6Hctdcb3D3gHBw6hAH4Wsr4nA/s1600-h/mac2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhIWL-iHPUKj8gCplMMnU6KZXm7nh098e_t0SeE1RtMKCb8S61SpDBFMe6GHv1Lc2Hul8HeZOx_qHKykA3Crot5WU-s1HifsKgANcEEqP6YQ6Hctdcb3D3gHBw6hAH4Wsr4nA/s320/mac2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223654519939701218" /></a><br />There are several more screenings scheduled through September but although it's easily google-able, I did promise my pal who invited me that I wouldn't reveal too much info about the drive-in/sit-in theater if I wrote about it (yes, it's that great of an undiscovered L.A. gem). So sorry, no links to the screening series attached this time!kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-85449138966020772902008-06-23T09:21:00.000-07:002008-06-23T14:52:48.086-07:00Taking It To The Grave: Cinespia Summer Screening Series at Hollywood Forever Cemetery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HjC-jdWFMrsZbOBnQUs6L2-mi4BQ-OsaKRTmQPUBHhHJOpIgYJl0FmzMQBu5rQnkQVISLOghlL406K4D9TvZRNSta9mcQLtYxlHhkTGqeQxvjVCekP6CFjWaL4w9tHGy6SeG/s1600-h/cem.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HjC-jdWFMrsZbOBnQUs6L2-mi4BQ-OsaKRTmQPUBHhHJOpIgYJl0FmzMQBu5rQnkQVISLOghlL406K4D9TvZRNSta9mcQLtYxlHhkTGqeQxvjVCekP6CFjWaL4w9tHGy6SeG/s320/cem.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215191002929222850" /></a><br />On Saturday night, I got to hang out at Warren Beatty, Goldie Hawn and Julie Christie at the local cemetery. Well, me and about 700 other people. And it was Warren, Goldie, Julie et al, circa 1975 in the Oscar-winning film <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073692/"><em>Shampoo</em></a>.<br /><br />Falling under the 'only in L.A.' category, <a href="http://www.cinespia.org/">Cinespia</a> hosts outdoor screenings of classic films every weekend throughout the summer at the <a href="http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/">Hollywood Forever Cemetery</a>, Hollywood's oldest cemetery and perpetual residence to over 100 celebrities, including Rudolph Valentino, Cecil B DeMille, Jayne Mansfield and Johnny & DeeDee Ramone. (Maps to star graves are available for purchase at the cemetery's flower gift shop. Yes, really.)<br /><br />I’ve been wanting to go to their cemetery screenings for several summers now but just never got around to it. With my friend G in town, it was a good excuse to show an out-of-towner a "less Sunset Strip, and more ‘sunset over the gravestones and mausoleums’" side of Hollywood.<br /><br />I've heard finding parking and a good spot along the nice grassy knoll (uninhibited by anyone six feet under) to watch the movie can be difficult, but with gates opening at 7:30pm and the film starting at 9pm, we arrived at 8:15pm and still easily found a cemetery parking spot ($5) and a cozy patch of grass amid the sea of fellow movie-goers stretched out on blankets and lawn chairs. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUJ5tJ6dQiN034eycGDeWP6WBaU4jgPszmNvzhbMLBwiVd9qzQGJO3fZIKSJc5bdcLJi8nFGY0h3RX27fQXBjjIGsfeDEbYzR0kBx-p79sFFmEnoRpAskpeGqT7FWHXMrQb9b/s1600-h/desserts.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUJ5tJ6dQiN034eycGDeWP6WBaU4jgPszmNvzhbMLBwiVd9qzQGJO3fZIKSJc5bdcLJi8nFGY0h3RX27fQXBjjIGsfeDEbYzR0kBx-p79sFFmEnoRpAskpeGqT7FWHXMrQb9b/s200/desserts.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215191547848137426" /></a>Revolving weekly DJ’s add pre-screening atmosphere with ambient music while the crowd tailgates cemetery style (food and alcohol into the graveyard is allowed and encouraged); neighboring movie-goers stepped up their picnic’ing prowess with atmospheric voltive candles, wicker baskets brimming with baguettes, cheese and grapes, real champagne flutes and we even spied a bottle of white chillin' in a sterling silver wine bucket. G & I held our own and Whole Foods’ed it with style; bleu and brie cheeses, citrus stuffed olives, turkey sandwiches, a cornucopia of mini pastries (mmmm, the baby banana cream pie was the best) and red wine, tasting mighty good out of our disposable paper cups. <br /><br />Prompty at 9pm, the music stopped and lights on the large white mausoleum wall/movie screen dimmed as the opening credits started. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrX6txqbU0FGVh6aMClNPu-NDsOB8RYucY0FqdDK5flapQDXTZhH6PuLZuzaUWY4_J72jexFzCoC4E5VPBkp-_n5OWyLsY2P-GtN_oL68kra6JepXoUNu8lvJ9DaEJazf09uOh/s1600-h/warren.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrX6txqbU0FGVh6aMClNPu-NDsOB8RYucY0FqdDK5flapQDXTZhH6PuLZuzaUWY4_J72jexFzCoC4E5VPBkp-_n5OWyLsY2P-GtN_oL68kra6JepXoUNu8lvJ9DaEJazf09uOh/s320/warren.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215192460686953650" /></a><br /><em>Shampoo</em> was enjoyable enough but when you’re sitting outside in tanktop-friendly weather at 11pm with your barefeet on the grass, paper cup of red wine in hand and watching a 10ft high Warren Beatty projected on an outdoor screen flanked by palm trees, what’s on the big screen is kinda besides the point.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiR1oSjxji4L9e228V-OTn8Nt5p1FRwZspNCsPptvjnXIVUXsEc6IV7Sas0pONwySTRgYGvUysJ7PaZFA7kOBhN7HGzVHWgytmm-9hbh0eSW4rnSKycpWZKzPEUULqqqkookyQ/s1600-h/goldie.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiR1oSjxji4L9e228V-OTn8Nt5p1FRwZspNCsPptvjnXIVUXsEc6IV7Sas0pONwySTRgYGvUysJ7PaZFA7kOBhN7HGzVHWgytmm-9hbh0eSW4rnSKycpWZKzPEUULqqqkookyQ/s320/goldie.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215194284895740898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jC857U4jTm45Hg6ZSbE7RBRPCy2ts0VghbvTROUAWDadysYyCYWrnnd9MNKhRMNBL7mLVg5lZ_2KQjyHv2hAeyf2mTwOugk0rKBnrdjhUc5uaRO9m1y6gK_bW9wZJCbq5M0j/s1600-h/warren2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jC857U4jTm45Hg6ZSbE7RBRPCy2ts0VghbvTROUAWDadysYyCYWrnnd9MNKhRMNBL7mLVg5lZ_2KQjyHv2hAeyf2mTwOugk0rKBnrdjhUc5uaRO9m1y6gK_bW9wZJCbq5M0j/s200/warren2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215192746668358434" /></a>I highly recommend checking out a film at the cemetery this summer. Cinespia posts their screening line up the week before, and just added <a href="http://www.myspace.com/dontknocktherock">music-themed Sunday screenings</a> in addition to the regular Saturday night screenings. Next week’s screenings are Hitchcock’s <em>The Man Who Knew Too Much</em> (Sat) and <em>t.a.m.i. show</em> (Sun), a concert doc filmed in 1964 starring performances by Check Berry, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, James Brown, Rolling Stones and Beach Boys. <br /><br /><br />Check out the upcoming film schedule at: <a href="http://www.cinespia.org/">Cinespia</a><br /><a href="http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/">Hollywood Forever Cemetery</a><br />6000 Santa Monica Blvd & Gower<br />Gates open 7:30PM, film starts 9PM<br />$10 Donation Tickets at the Gate<br />$5 Cemetery Parkingkiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-26418091266608050512008-06-20T14:36:00.000-07:002008-06-20T15:00:28.371-07:00Main Street's Panini Garden Blooming With Free Wi-Fi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXMCdeLYtmQRQO5u0fktMVWIqwS-OOGzJyLafEiaYK6acW9xiLIGfsWHQ5wS8JlsMhyC_mkub3jhf9c8LEI8wTRCro57S_4x8zB5nqyOL_-Cdj0DiKrFUgsTZHZ1HFmzIn5Jb/s1600-h/panini2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXMCdeLYtmQRQO5u0fktMVWIqwS-OOGzJyLafEiaYK6acW9xiLIGfsWHQ5wS8JlsMhyC_mkub3jhf9c8LEI8wTRCro57S_4x8zB5nqyOL_-Cdj0DiKrFUgsTZHZ1HFmzIn5Jb/s320/panini2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214083608773297154" /></a><br />This is my third day in a row at <a href="http://www.paninigarden.com/"> Panini Garden </a> on Main Street. In fact, I’m writing this blog entry from there now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJ5r21BRyjti4itYz4AaZaJK2ttCn9G6lfonx6pi55OldIm-kklF2lwwVlkBineMBCSZ9KoPO0PBFYyRLZGqPVNiIhJ9UskMg6LjfuadzhLI2kkNdkaZVTxMBFSemM4XNj1MU/s1600-h/panini.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJ5r21BRyjti4itYz4AaZaJK2ttCn9G6lfonx6pi55OldIm-kklF2lwwVlkBineMBCSZ9KoPO0PBFYyRLZGqPVNiIhJ9UskMg6LjfuadzhLI2kkNdkaZVTxMBFSemM4XNj1MU/s200/panini.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214084562546689794" /></a>The first day, the sun was shining and my stomach was growling, so I was looking for a lunch spot with an outdoor patio within walking distance to my apartment. I considered Urth Caffe on Main, but lately getting a lunchtime table there requires the eagle-eyed table-pouncing much in the same vein as the insanely packed Father’s Office. I couldn’t remember the food at Panini Café from my visit several years ago, but did recall a back garden, so I decided to try that out.<br /><br />Inside, the long skinny cafe is cute; warm sunlight filtering through the large front window, cottage yellow walls decorated with an assortment of floral paintings and cushion-topped wooden bench running along the wall leading to a shabby-chic back garden with mismatched tables and chairs amid lavender-filled flower pots, white-washed walls, generous shady canopies and an overflowing birdbath.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWJiDorqy1cXFuqjAc0tEm-h4s4PWXcLf8xjO2vU3CJdqTSccoUFjlRIJjsBxAWtDeyKhgLQrcK2ZruTCXMOdMFZ0_wsbzDWlge8b2BdN2NkJZ0iIghyTQXwDlonYPo8Yy3OQ/s1600-h/panini3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWJiDorqy1cXFuqjAc0tEm-h4s4PWXcLf8xjO2vU3CJdqTSccoUFjlRIJjsBxAWtDeyKhgLQrcK2ZruTCXMOdMFZ0_wsbzDWlge8b2BdN2NkJZ0iIghyTQXwDlonYPo8Yy3OQ/s320/panini3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214085268537927394" /></a><br /><br />But what immediately caught my eye was the free wi-fi access sign in the front window. Score! As a frequent coffee shop hopper, finding my first free wi-fi spot on Main Street is a notable milestone. Their 8am-11pm hours were also very writer-friendly. Unless the food was horrible, I knew immediately I would be back.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewMd5oywYrHaqG5Pta4vEqJsJ9BI5K6lrLtjXuBu5rjZySiV2JF-U9lvXaSNPMKvxpWqowaBxxgc7MjP9FQMyulr13vPvzSh8VjDbzpL6RTdUhuCmLVJchalolwYzLMfypn5o/s1600-h/panini4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewMd5oywYrHaqG5Pta4vEqJsJ9BI5K6lrLtjXuBu5rjZySiV2JF-U9lvXaSNPMKvxpWqowaBxxgc7MjP9FQMyulr13vPvzSh8VjDbzpL6RTdUhuCmLVJchalolwYzLMfypn5o/s320/panini4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214085639917791010" /></a><br />Turns out I didn’t remember the food from last time because it’s not remarkably memorable. Not necessarily a bad thing; although the menu won't will set off a middle of the night craving for a panini, the food here is all reliably solid and definitely doable for repeat visits.<br /><br />Their namesake paninis come with a choice of soft (thick toast-like <em>Tramezzino</em>), medium (more baguette-like <em>Al Forno</em>) and crusty (ciabatta-like <em>Rustico</em>) bread, and chicken and turkey paninis are dressed up with things such as goat cheese, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, olive tepanade etc.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip70xdlYF5Oasrwm_sg1uzPOvHgwnmNCcI7LFB1V6FM1m0v9yUa4CaB8buWA4ZwuN1KRBjTygwS0QihutzR6R668YMNrv3s_1G1N_Gs_VwNeVEN8DwIWSXgvnbQ3rUCfqlWYej/s1600-h/soup.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip70xdlYF5Oasrwm_sg1uzPOvHgwnmNCcI7LFB1V6FM1m0v9yUa4CaB8buWA4ZwuN1KRBjTygwS0QihutzR6R668YMNrv3s_1G1N_Gs_VwNeVEN8DwIWSXgvnbQ3rUCfqlWYej/s200/soup.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214085947913119506" /></a>The menu also has tasty-sounding salads (Greek, Caprese, Nicoise, Spicy Chicken and more, $8-11 range) and daily soups with vegetarian-based broths. Breakfast junkies will appreciate the egg scrambles (eg. prosciutto, mozzarella and basil, $9.50) and morning sandwiches (eg. black forest ham and swiss on a croissant, crepe or bagel, $8.99) are also served all day.<br /><br />I opted for the<em> soup du jour</em> and panini combo ($12.95), the mushroom soup was surprisingly really tasty, and the chicken pesto goat cheese panini came hot with a satisfying toasty crunch.<br /><br />The next day, I came back with my laptop. The interior surroundings of colored brick walls, good lighting and easy-to-tune-out KOST-FM’ish music was very conducive for working away. Without the distraction of interesting people watching (the clientele here is a much blander group than my usual alternative Novel Café peers) nor an LA Weekly stand nearby, I breezed through a writing project in less time than I allotted for. My vegetable soup and croissant cost me $8.<br /><br />Day 3, and excited to find a place with a good working vibe, I’m back again. In three short days, Panini Garden has become my home away from home. Living in a yard-less apartment, it’s nice to finally have a garden here in my second home. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.paninigarden.com/"> Panini Garden </a><br />2715 Main Street, 310/399-9939<br />8:00am-11:00pm Everydaykiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-3621790056278054642008-06-13T11:30:00.000-07:002008-06-13T12:37:31.166-07:00Flake Cereal Restaurant: Breakfast Bar of Champions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PpQl_R0Soe9b_tMM9zAGcJ_0EZCbmgvj8AdfrzV4cvqNPHMBe2M_oKH671o1EQ2v8C7S5PTGyO02r1smp8NuStwQFROxFZFvhRlUn5gkBrFFHvBQWNnm7cgPkRVyVH-eRtId/s1600-h/flake.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PpQl_R0Soe9b_tMM9zAGcJ_0EZCbmgvj8AdfrzV4cvqNPHMBe2M_oKH671o1EQ2v8C7S5PTGyO02r1smp8NuStwQFROxFZFvhRlUn5gkBrFFHvBQWNnm7cgPkRVyVH-eRtId/s320/flake.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211450065910980546" /></a><br />When <a href="http://www.veniceflake.com/"> Flake </a>--a cereal bar (with the best tagline ever by the way..."Flake: Wake & Flake". I love it!)--first opened a few blocks from my street, I thought "Who on earth would be so lazy as to dine out and eat cereal?" Um, apparently--when I woke up this morning with bare cupboards and no desire to hit up Ralphs for sustanance so early in the day--that would be me.<br /><br />Working up my appetite for bran flakes and toasted grains, I biked the 5 blocks to Flake, where I found a surprisingly high number of fellow lazy breakfasters lounging out at both their sidewalk tables and wooden tables inside. Their chalk blackboard announces all the cereal and topping combinations a la Pinkberry; you can go as basic (Cheerios with fresh strawberries) or whimsical (complex blend of Reeses PB Puffs and Flax Plus Special K topped with shredded coconuts, Pixie sticks and fresh pineapples). For those who love blending different cereals together for the perfect bowl at home (Life and Nutty Nuggets--Ralphs's cheaper version of Grape Nuts) is a winner in my household), Flake a cereal mixologist's wet dream. <br /><br />Overwhelmed by the choices, I went for simple; Kashi's Go Lean Crunch with fresh blueberries and skim milk. At $3.75, its both a total rip-off in that I could buy an entire box at the supermarket for the same price, and also a real deal, because, where else can you get a generous and delicious bowl of breakfast for under $4? (they're pretty hearty portions, and cereal somehow taste better when someone else prepares it for you). <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtBXQAlcUSFuJ6J-yHBf8V6kYc1XnfboBXIxLUUCc2lXlelbJvwfd8MGd3C1uTbj2fhCZpdz2UYgpyYlShmWRq3Oj1T5hy4vmSFebWkILAxoErYcMTqdSIBTHo_ltG__yQBEg/s1600-h/cereal.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtBXQAlcUSFuJ6J-yHBf8V6kYc1XnfboBXIxLUUCc2lXlelbJvwfd8MGd3C1uTbj2fhCZpdz2UYgpyYlShmWRq3Oj1T5hy4vmSFebWkILAxoErYcMTqdSIBTHo_ltG__yQBEg/s320/cereal.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211450243527212018" /></a><br />Since their opening a couple of months ago, their menu has also expanded with pretty yummy sounding breakfast sandwiches and lunchtime wraps. Although I felt compelled to order cereal at a cereal restaurant, I was also lured by their 'Nutty Munkee' ($3.75), a filling english muffin sandwich with peanut butter, bananas and choice of honey, Nutella or preserves.<br /><br />Sitting in their corner table, munching on cereal and perusing a complimentary copy of the L.A. Times, I was feeling a lot more contentment than I should be for just eating cereal; with the relaxed atmosphere, sunny orange and wood color scheme and large windows looking out to the street attributed to the enjoyable feeling of eating at a hypothetical artsy friend's kitchen nook the next morning after a fun night out with the girls. Or maybe it was the decadent, guilty pleasure feeling of luxuriously dining out for cereal that gave me such breakfast bliss.<br /><br />Other menu choices that may tickle my fancy another time (yes, I think I'd come back) include their Sambozon Acai bowl with granola and bananas ($6.25), The Fatty (smoked turkey, swiss and avocado on a warm croissant, $6.50) and Poesideon's Wrap (tuna salad with Israeli feta in a sundried tomato wrap, $7.50) Can you tell I'm a sucker for cleverly-named sandwiches? <br /><br />Overall, I went out for a bowl of cereal this morning, and to borrow a phrase from Tony the Tiger, I would rate my breakfast experience as g-r-r-r-eat.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.veniceflake.com/"> Flake </a>: 513 Rose Ave, Venice CA<br />310/396-2333kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-45366469857185677202008-06-12T16:47:00.000-07:002008-06-12T20:57:45.571-07:00Hiking Yosemite's Half Dome & Paso Robles Wine-tasting for $160.50!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGeLy6r_3O69RTHl3z2h6Aa8CYWc_ycTg5GWHmFTv2vJd5mtDMzdQ-L4dQKqyQMRAIrNPefIDCMuLouNPzW6NPub4ugusd253z7uOtGwdeRG9doph97jO9M16P-IDhbrhwhx5/s1600-h/halfdome.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGeLy6r_3O69RTHl3z2h6Aa8CYWc_ycTg5GWHmFTv2vJd5mtDMzdQ-L4dQKqyQMRAIrNPefIDCMuLouNPzW6NPub4ugusd253z7uOtGwdeRG9doph97jO9M16P-IDhbrhwhx5/s200/halfdome.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211193926680534690" /></a><br />Last week, I decided to celebrate/suffer on my birthday by hiking up <a href="http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm">Half Dome</a> (basically, a mile high hunk of granite rock) in <a href="http://www.yosemitepark.com/">Yosemite National Park</a>. Because I just happily blew about $1000 the week earlier on a last minute trip to Costa Rica (more about that on my next post), <a href="http://sunnydaysalamode.blogspot.com/2006/01/price-of-ugly-shoes_10.html">Ugly Shoe</a> and I decided to complete our hiking expedition semi-budget style.<br /> <br />Relatively last minute trip entailed little planning, which was fine on the fitness side of things but more difficult when it came to finding accommodations.<br /><br />Training wise, although I wondered ‘Am I fit enough for a 4750ft elevation, 18 mile roundtrip hike?’ I was still too lazy to actually do any training to ensure I <em>was</em> physically ready--my one overly ambitious training session the <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/santa-monica-stairs-santa-monica">Santa Monica stairs</a> almost resulted in voluntary house-arrest since I could barely walk down to the street from my 2nd story apt for the next couple of days. <br /><br />I started looking for accommodations a month prior to our Yosemite visit and discovered most hotel rooms in the Yosemite area are way overpriced—for example, Comfort Inn, Shilo Inn and Days Inn: typically in the $50-70 range in Anytown, USA were all around $150…and at that price,<em> sold out!!</em>) Most hotels are also booked solid months in advance (Who knew outdoor enthusiasts were so anally on the ball?). <br /><br />It’s slim-pickin’s if you want to stay inside <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g61000-Yosemite_National_Park_California-Hotels.html/">Yosemite National Park</a>; you’ve got the semi-affordable <a href="http://www.yosemitepark.com/Accommodations_YosemiteLodge.aspx">Yosemite Lodge at the Falls</a> & the historic <a href="http://www.yosemitepark.com/Accommodations_WawonaHotel.aspx">Wawona Hotel</a> (both $150+ but usually sold out 6 months in advance) the way pricey Four Seasons-nesque <a href="http://www.yosemitepark.com/Accommodations_TheAhwahnee.aspx">Anwahnee Hotel</a> ($350-$1000) and the rustic <a href="http://www.yosemitepark.com/Accommodations_curryvillage.aspx">Curry Village Camp Grounds</a> ($20 per car if tent camping, $85-115 if renting a no-electricity, no-indoor plumbing hut).<br /><br />Out of what was available, we picked <a href="http://www.oakhurstlodge.com/">Oakhurst Lodge</a> for our first night; a no-frills motel lodge with a floral chintz bedspread and loud fan but free coffee and a AAA discount ($10 off our accommodations!)<br /><br />Oakhurst is 16 miles from the Yosemite’s Southern Entrance gate, which translates to about an 1hr 15min drive from motel door to the base of Half Dome on the Valley floor.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCmt4D4I1rTs7Idw039XKhKLDURYYV2z-ahAKF5-d-MN5iGQqRYCgPOsRZRmDs8q_BHYBlyumU95Q1aHl4m5nntBoV28q7WlWElb6QlNsGTYC_aoh8dodJFQEX3tcQQ6w3IeE/s1600-h/Kirk+at+Vernal+Falls.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCmt4D4I1rTs7Idw039XKhKLDURYYV2z-ahAKF5-d-MN5iGQqRYCgPOsRZRmDs8q_BHYBlyumU95Q1aHl4m5nntBoV28q7WlWElb6QlNsGTYC_aoh8dodJFQEX3tcQQ6w3IeE/s200/Kirk+at+Vernal+Falls.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211194220028338018" /></a><br />Many <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g61000-d139183-r11968829-Half_Dome-Yosemite_National_Park_California.html/"> others</a> chronicle the hike in <a href="http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/halfdome3_0000.asp"> more detail</a>, (I particularly like this one which gives a <a href="http://www.bisordi.org/yosemite/">hiking timeline</a>), but my three pieces of advice are; <br />• take the windy John Muir trail on the way up and the stairs-filled Mist trail on the way down (you’ll get soaked, but in a good, refreshing way, and the views of the gushing Nevada waterfall are amazing)<br />• Pack your lunch, then throw out half of it. You’ll eat way less than you think and enjoy the lighter pack. We shared a packet of beef jerky, two oranges and a Clif bar. Follow the maximum guidelines for water though, we finished our gallon CamelPak easily<br />• Buy cheapo suede gardening gloves at the 99c store! You’ll need them for the wire cables at the end, chances are there’s a pile of used gloves at the bottom of the cables to choose from, but the 99c investment will guarantee you have a left and right glove and save you from donning an ex-hiker’s sweaty, weather-beaten gloves.<br /><br />It took us 4 hours to get to the top. I’ll let the pics do the talking regarding the view at the top. Worth it. I loved the patch of snow at the top and enjoyed the most delicious tasting orange ever up there.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTpy6Kh2bG_0yC54E8xYnFCaTmHJqxpFPm44YRdpsFJcVCz0X1jZVsYdmOzi5wu2vAySFqIxv1DgzPsewyGPLMKIhsyTeOgDLIYamE4MyUnOdGhfGB3ZWi0sQKrPuXI4aM6oG/s1600-h/cables.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTpy6Kh2bG_0yC54E8xYnFCaTmHJqxpFPm44YRdpsFJcVCz0X1jZVsYdmOzi5wu2vAySFqIxv1DgzPsewyGPLMKIhsyTeOgDLIYamE4MyUnOdGhfGB3ZWi0sQKrPuXI4aM6oG/s200/cables.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211209154617478818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8TMAVGAEPhJ0J7W8W0EapiLvEDG2OBJxliskx7g8_z6-UR9Y9OA77Ga9z7h6Dmn3-5AGFMr7_MudX7rdZXcmso7CfEczInRfuPwIW7YDV4_38Dr_6rtJgFnCbBkPAUF7h8Kv/s1600-h/top+of+cables.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8TMAVGAEPhJ0J7W8W0EapiLvEDG2OBJxliskx7g8_z6-UR9Y9OA77Ga9z7h6Dmn3-5AGFMr7_MudX7rdZXcmso7CfEczInRfuPwIW7YDV4_38Dr_6rtJgFnCbBkPAUF7h8Kv/s200/top+of+cables.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211194529872447506" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVac_qCjNOrhla5x2jmfNUZB_PYDw_h0w6L93XXnx1ONVERq2sGSqJ4413Tyv-DvhLjp4Ijp72hQFe64gRIRUoUZWRvQWYplGEyZdqh6rWEEIKImZxFL8qvc9-gNbIFiIjdih/s1600-h/top.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVac_qCjNOrhla5x2jmfNUZB_PYDw_h0w6L93XXnx1ONVERq2sGSqJ4413Tyv-DvhLjp4Ijp72hQFe64gRIRUoUZWRvQWYplGEyZdqh6rWEEIKImZxFL8qvc9-gNbIFiIjdih/s200/top.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211194821803194002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCbUFr0JWweE_GkQpLyJKUtU60dH3CaVYAK716TbBzOz3IQVuv-lkYmw2BKVnr_nHVQxaOFjcEmzjL-XYoK7-jQblYWVCQMzznGZK9Aq_qvryK83vFvMkJnnePe6LCn4yT1u2/s1600-h/waterfall.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCbUFr0JWweE_GkQpLyJKUtU60dH3CaVYAK716TbBzOz3IQVuv-lkYmw2BKVnr_nHVQxaOFjcEmzjL-XYoK7-jQblYWVCQMzznGZK9Aq_qvryK83vFvMkJnnePe6LCn4yT1u2/s200/waterfall.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211210145094977298" /></a><br /><br />The night after the hike, we stayed at <a href="http://www.narrowgaugeinn.com/">Narrow Gauge Inn</a>, a grandmama B&B located in the picturesque-sounding town of Fish Camp (2 miles from the Southern gate entrance). This was my birthday splurge accommodations and the fresh fruit-filled complimentary breakfast buffet and laser-beam intensity of the shower’s water pressure blasting off a 10hr hike’s worth of dirt and sticky sunscreen was so worth the extra $$. <br /><br />The next morning, we cut across to the coast to <a href="http://www.pasowine.com/">Paso Robles</a>—home to 200+ wineries--for some morning birthday drinking. It was a cheap birthday celebration; the majority of the wineries offer complimentary tastings. <br /><br />We arbitrarily picked the winery pitstops based on convenience (most are off the main drag of the 46 highway), pretty looking grounds and if we liked the name of the winery. Our favorites were <a href="http://www.pasowine.com/wineries/profile.php?winery=98/">Vina Robles</a> and <a href="http://www.eberlewinery.com/ourwines_currentreleases.php">Eberle Estates</a> (where we bought a bottle of Muscat and where ex-Top Chef contestant, Tre Wilcox is going to <a href="http://www.eberlewinery.com/events_eberleevents.php">host a dinner</a> in the Eberle wine cellar in July). The steady stream tiny nips of alcohol perfectly balanced being non-tipsy enough to drive while relaxing our hike-tired muscles, saving them from achey pains on the drive home. <br /><br />A big hike to commemorate that my legs still have it after 30 years and a pleasant wine-induced buzz on my 31st made this trip an awesome and affordable b’day getaway.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.oakhurstlodge.com/">Oakhurst Lodge</a> : $88 per person<br /><a href="http://www.narrowgaugeinn.com/">Narrow Gauge Inn</a>: $156 per person<br />Gas: 2 tanks in my Prius, $40<br /><a href="http://www.yosemite.org/visitor/trip.html#fees/">Yosemite National Park Pass</a>: $20<br />Beef jerky, Clif bars and other roadtrip/hiking essentials: $15<br />Gardening Gloves: 99 c each<br />Wine-tasting: free!<br />Total: $320.98 for two, $160.49 per person<br /><br /><a href="http://www.yosemitethisyear.com/">More visitor's info for Yosemite & Half Dome</a>kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-73771380631798189562008-05-17T13:14:00.000-07:002008-05-17T15:30:08.294-07:00Cook Like Julia Childs for $4.22; Making JC's Potato & Leek SoupBecause I just finished the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Julie-Julia-Recipes-Apartment-Kitchen/dp/031610969X1/"><em>Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously</em> </a>which chronicles blogger/home cook Julie Powell's attempt to cook every recipe in Julia Child's <em>Mastering the Art of French Cooking</em> (AND because my sad kitchen only has cereal but no milk, peanut butter but no bread and a handful of potatoes), I decided to make Julia Child's potato and leek soup, or, as she calls it "Potage Parmentier", which makes it sound <em>tres</em> more sophisticated. <br /><br />It's the first recipe that Julie attempts to cook in the book and hers turned out wonderfully--and the recipe only calls for 5 ingredients and 3 steps--so I figure it'd be an easy first recipe for a soup-making novice such as myself. Author Julie only writes about the general method in her book so I followed <a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/270731/">recipezaar.com</a> for exact measurements of ingredients (I cut down on the butter and salt by a third since JC is known to be a heavy-handed with the butter and it was fine.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RNNFSx0R-CgxMfm4ohMxO3lJnLP4hmQZv7jkIXaqQ-dzDCUL8FKYuc5SVingcvExLTncfiaWP0JYBqt5Xr_b2K51KObj1JuJY__ZYchoFH47Ukmou0hr9mqkwWXEOQSca7-2/s1600-h/soup+pot.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RNNFSx0R-CgxMfm4ohMxO3lJnLP4hmQZv7jkIXaqQ-dzDCUL8FKYuc5SVingcvExLTncfiaWP0JYBqt5Xr_b2K51KObj1JuJY__ZYchoFH47Ukmou0hr9mqkwWXEOQSca7-2/s200/soup+pot.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201470136765616098" /></a><br />1) Wash and cut leeks and potatoes and throw in a pot with water and salt for 45 mins (no stirring even needed!)<br /><br />You're supposed to use russet potatoes but I had my random colorful spuds from Trader Joe's laying around, and I'm kinda interested to see if my soup will have an indigo-ish hue from my purple potatoes.<br /> <br />2) Mash potatoes with a food mill (whatever that is), or a fork (what I did, which leaves courser bits of potato pieces that the food mill but I think the lumps gave the soup some character)<br /><br />3) Stir in butter and serve<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWpnIwXZUTGYub3WWlLuqzcjb7p5SVDRYhW9fneXZtUsjdxtQSgc4YLLxq4Gg3HRkJlEH7qiBQzYWNyZvN3USonAyN0hAYf_1aCMeGmNBPMv0YZSlJjw_MbOlh8liCEP3v51W/s1600-h/soup.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWpnIwXZUTGYub3WWlLuqzcjb7p5SVDRYhW9fneXZtUsjdxtQSgc4YLLxq4Gg3HRkJlEH7qiBQzYWNyZvN3USonAyN0hAYf_1aCMeGmNBPMv0YZSlJjw_MbOlh8liCEP3v51W/s200/soup.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201477579943940082" /></a>Although it's not the prettiest looking soup (and would probably be a more appetizing creamy color if I used normal potatoes), it's almost inconceivably tasty and hearty considering it's just water, salt, potatoes, leeks and a tab of butter! And what other dish could you make with just those ingredients? Two helpings later, I'm still quite impressed with myself. <br /><br />I had to get buy two stalks of leeks ($2.23), my existing potatoes cost me $1.99 and I had salt, butter and water on hand so my 8 servings of soup cost me a total of $4.22. Enough for a couple of bowls plus leftovers!kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-58785491964414900422008-05-12T17:07:00.000-07:002008-05-12T19:49:02.817-07:00Dog-A-Thon: Walking For The Underdog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKoptOj0wkpsdHOeUQxVCR2Aj72hV7ubReeDiVsnAjCHM8ptjGMLOBzANdvOizQbn67a4RszZyq7TI3mio0x3pAeKNN5GxuAKvrZcrb2OoHPrK-DHXx56zxqIFhTYaUl2aMNn/s1600-h/River_of_Walkers_2007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKoptOj0wkpsdHOeUQxVCR2Aj72hV7ubReeDiVsnAjCHM8ptjGMLOBzANdvOizQbn67a4RszZyq7TI3mio0x3pAeKNN5GxuAKvrZcrb2OoHPrK-DHXx56zxqIFhTYaUl2aMNn/s320/River_of_Walkers_2007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199684766105309074" /></a><br />As a pet-less dog-lover, I get my fix of puppy love and doggie-activities through my friend's dogs; whether it's <a href="http://sunnydaysalamode.blogspot.com/2006/08/celebrating-doggie-style-tobies.html/">attending an awesome, un-ironic puppy b'day party</a>, being dragged up Runyon by the leash while hiking with my friend and her four-legged pal or helping her 'park' her pooch at the 'doggie valet' at the Santa Monica Farmer's Market (yes, really. right next to the 'bike valet' on Main Street.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeSymX8jfctCPp9iKWEyklMtBG_raalIDxbDVayuy_XCL1RzmRZAmujtjoXZ8jTOBQmWQ7F1kyjyh0tSXnlZtnSNCFCBEMzmeM2qcK-J8otFotrzoOUjd81BlILtAE9DmaWVv/s1600-h/king+tobie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeSymX8jfctCPp9iKWEyklMtBG_raalIDxbDVayuy_XCL1RzmRZAmujtjoXZ8jTOBQmWQ7F1kyjyh0tSXnlZtnSNCFCBEMzmeM2qcK-J8otFotrzoOUjd81BlILtAE9DmaWVv/s400/king+tobie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199686501272096690" /></a><br />Tobie at his 6th birthday party.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyAZM0dcP9at3u2diwKB1heJCfdbiIXjc3mGHN_T6KxqTF8QlBRjuU9nbDuVu18-ASAA4eS93owalDarYhpykfvPGdRXuZhgNURLnMTEnlkdj4Hii3TtIrFHTJVlsE1Owi98X/s1600-h/dog+valet.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyAZM0dcP9at3u2diwKB1heJCfdbiIXjc3mGHN_T6KxqTF8QlBRjuU9nbDuVu18-ASAA4eS93owalDarYhpykfvPGdRXuZhgNURLnMTEnlkdj4Hii3TtIrFHTJVlsE1Owi98X/s320/dog+valet.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199685668048441250" /></a><br />Dibo being dropped off at the dog valet.<br /><br />Although not ready for the responsibility--or to pick up the poop--of a dog of my own, I'm happy to be poser dog owner this coming Sunday, May 18th at the <a href="http://www.walkfortheunderdog.com/">'Walking For the Underdog'</a> 2K Walk. I'm borrowing my friend, C.S.'s Shih Tzu's (ex-birthday boy Tobey and ex-rescue survivor, McGuyver) and, together with her sister, joining other pet owners and their beloved pups walk the La Brea Tar Pits to raise money for a <a href="http://www.walkfortheunderdog.org/benefits.php/">variety of rescue foundations</a> (including cutely-named, pun-heavy organizations, <a href="http://www.barkavela.com/ct/store/default.asp/">Bark Avenue</a> and Diamonds in the Ruff as well as <a href="http://www.lhasahappyhomes.org/">Lhasa Happy Homes</a>...which is where my borrowed McGuyver I'm walking with is from).<br /><br />If you're interested in walking, it's not too late to register (you can either raise money and awareness by having your friends sponsor you, or just donate the $25 participant fee). Although I'm borrowing a pup for the event, dog-less participants are also welcome...and you may even leave with a new best friend; dog adoption booths will be set up from 10am-5pm. There's also live music, vendors selling pet-friendly goodies and something which the official website intriguingly states as 'dog-related entertainment'. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAI-8R64_Z0WM6KDC2IuTgBnB1jkewUKQFVmVcSCw57XYglqob6Wekro8O1GPqgcX40qqSdG7a8zreVbZa_kIWesjtBTyx42TRgUo6k7JVxmsrjCSJgN4m8F5PKkeLg2_FYaY/s1600-h/ml.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAI-8R64_Z0WM6KDC2IuTgBnB1jkewUKQFVmVcSCw57XYglqob6Wekro8O1GPqgcX40qqSdG7a8zreVbZa_kIWesjtBTyx42TRgUo6k7JVxmsrjCSJgN4m8F5PKkeLg2_FYaY/s320/ml.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199688249323786178" /></a> Photo from last year's event; perhaps the 'dog-related entertainment' they were referring to? <br /><br />Walk for the Underdog is a great excuse for dog-owners to take Rover out for a walk and maybe meet new doggie pals, for non-dog owning pet lovers to be surrounded by cute parading pups and for wannabe dog owners to adopt a new four-legged friend while directly supporting local shelters and homeless dogs (according to the Walk for the Underdog organization, very sadly, 600 dogs are put down in L.A. shelters every week due to over-population, but every $75 saves a dog's life).<br /><br />If I haven't convinced you to lend a helping paw, maybe Alanis Morrisette will. Check out <a href="http://aspcacommunity.ning.com/video/video/show?id=658300%3AVideo%3A370667">this 15 second video</a> narrated by her giving more detailed info on the event. I'll post pics of the event next week.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.walkfortheunderdog.com/">Walking For the Underdog</a><br />10AM-5PM, Sunday May 18th<br />La Brea Tar Pits 5801 Wilshire Blvd. LA, 90036<br />Registration begins at 9:30AM, Walk starts at 11AM<br />$25 to participate in the walk, free to check out the event<br />Street Parking or lot parking on Curson Avenue, between Wilshire and 6th Street. ($7 for all-day parking)kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-71718183901016730682008-04-09T15:56:00.000-07:002008-04-09T17:38:43.095-07:00Like A Rolling Stone: Bob Dylan's American Journey Exhibit at the Skirball<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtotW0z1zHt9pO-ThAleu_c0U6-sUQ4v-DSRv_KJkBDo5dIucvZV30eQ8-JyBirV0h6t4cXaeKbPDpQPJrUxFNoyIgmoRRywhB8_iNMpcXwdKwUvWHeTGTTMFqL9x2h-pR_Q7x/s1600-h/title.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtotW0z1zHt9pO-ThAleu_c0U6-sUQ4v-DSRv_KJkBDo5dIucvZV30eQ8-JyBirV0h6t4cXaeKbPDpQPJrUxFNoyIgmoRRywhB8_iNMpcXwdKwUvWHeTGTTMFqL9x2h-pR_Q7x/s320/title.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187396796806954098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGxWRgf0twSP8hygYrsV_OjRSpxwq2Pvix5z8bDFuKAL-Pp07AlP5YakFMtZeu77byC_7TzWIGrjD8QrPfqGzWkCDRsiuPeXr17fhVsdWgOiVg9z7E2nqyLnOxlhVe589Gqjm/s1600-h/bob+big+face.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGxWRgf0twSP8hygYrsV_OjRSpxwq2Pvix5z8bDFuKAL-Pp07AlP5YakFMtZeu77byC_7TzWIGrjD8QrPfqGzWkCDRsiuPeXr17fhVsdWgOiVg9z7E2nqyLnOxlhVe589Gqjm/s200/bob+big+face.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187408461938130178" /></a> <a href="http://sunnydaysalamode.blogspot.com/2006/01/price-of-ugly-shoes_10.html">Ugly Shoe Boy</a> and I journeyed through <a href="http://www.skirball.org/index.php?option=com_ccevents&scope=exbt&task=detail&oid=24"><em>Bob Dylan's American Journey</em> at the Skirball Cultural Center</a> the other night. The exhibit had been on our to-go list since its opening in early February, but with the recent discovery of the Skirball's Thursday Special (open late until 9pm and free admission & parking all day!), there really was no excuse not to check it out. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATFXee07uGl2QRpO0IPn9gDFK6seGtWQrY8ekMQ8BIdwFP0txsa6j0hNM1W3sl1ajG8JyvT4QfsRFztAQVKGsUjb-8sRmo9jzG54bHGkUXZeehNGRT19QdJvijKLnWOcl8ptB/s1600-h/lyrics.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATFXee07uGl2QRpO0IPn9gDFK6seGtWQrY8ekMQ8BIdwFP0txsa6j0hNM1W3sl1ajG8JyvT4QfsRFztAQVKGsUjb-8sRmo9jzG54bHGkUXZeehNGRT19QdJvijKLnWOcl8ptB/s320/lyrics.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187398961470471314" /></a>The Skirball Center (off the 405 just South of the 101) is the 4th pit stop for the exhibit hosted by the Experience Music Project, after making its way through the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, New York City and Minneapolis. Speaking just as a casual fan (I like the songs Bob Dylan's famous for but he lost me a little during his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YKhNrvUXN4">Soy Bomb/incohorent mumbling/singing</a> phase) I found the exhibit comprehensive and interesting. While maybe not unveiling any new revelations about the man, the exhibit threw in enough surprises (young Robert Zimmerman's hand-written poetry from a high-school english assignment, a cheeky letter to Joan Baez's mother signed by Joan but penned by Dylan) and gems (never-released recording of Dylan's first concert performed at Carnegie Chapter Hall, journalists' scribblings documenting Bob's infamous electric guitar debut at Newport Festival; "on at 9:25", "wearing a black leather coat", "electric") to impress hard-core fans looking to find more traces of the person behind the persona. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIkb66Ayeqyt7LKBSjWZyf94QZZzlbD8pTFDf8OpV65AcdUbHYbkkNQvifkgsJGm14w-CbAWN4Ax-s-lOTjjkDeKVxlCTvj-xnr2tqfIgm4Nugdi-ZVxcaJIALXAPzdm6Mik4/s1600-h/joan+baez.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIkb66Ayeqyt7LKBSjWZyf94QZZzlbD8pTFDf8OpV65AcdUbHYbkkNQvifkgsJGm14w-CbAWN4Ax-s-lOTjjkDeKVxlCTvj-xnr2tqfIgm4Nugdi-ZVxcaJIALXAPzdm6Mik4/s200/joan+baez.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187408912909696274" /></a> The exhibit is organized chronologically, focusing on the Poet Man's formative years between 1956-1966 and showcases influencing events in Dylan's life and his country/folk/rock/ blues/gospel phases alongside corresponding memorabilia; highlights from the collection of 150+ artifacts include a Martin guitar inscribed by childhood hero Woody Guthrie, side-by-side headshots of Guthrie and early Dylan replicating the same stance into the camera, rare posters from his Greenwich Village concerts with Joan Baez, signed album covers with quirky comments and song lyrics, candid moments caught on camera and drafts of lyrics to 'Blowin' In the Wind' and 'Mr Tamborine Man'.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hD-V9DMtTVtcODjwICARpHHaAycIYrtJX4yOK7yloi4RiYpGBQGGlX3-oCemSdiDUfklDnUrW4hCKDzrTM1FhIjIT9qPcRN-U0bMYCjJc0rukRFQ3TJU0hl8Gp7RwBpq1QIP/s1600-h/album+cover.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hD-V9DMtTVtcODjwICARpHHaAycIYrtJX4yOK7yloi4RiYpGBQGGlX3-oCemSdiDUfklDnUrW4hCKDzrTM1FhIjIT9qPcRN-U0bMYCjJc0rukRFQ3TJU0hl8Gp7RwBpq1QIP/s200/album+cover.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187408208535059698" /></a> For those all about the music, there are private listening and & viewing stations cued with tracks from his first 7 albums and looping in hours of documentary, interview and performance footage. And, while I found this a bit too much audience participation, if your American Journey of Bob Dylan isn't complete until you've sung a mile in his shoes, there is an interactive section where you can live out your rock star fantasies remixing Dylan ditties, playing drums along with Dylan tunes or even singing along with Bob. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDqBsmAPuzSrjNRwQZlCTEwgiaofMNByAEgaN-q0gxjnr3lySe7Xpmv54q5BmM0Paq7xT18d6UYhK2P-2W5SU62yefHQN9_2tFxGG_ECfVbQn1Ly42uWBsps8pGJ4nHbU83Nu/s1600-h/bob+trio.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDqBsmAPuzSrjNRwQZlCTEwgiaofMNByAEgaN-q0gxjnr3lySe7Xpmv54q5BmM0Paq7xT18d6UYhK2P-2W5SU62yefHQN9_2tFxGG_ECfVbQn1Ly42uWBsps8pGJ4nHbU83Nu/s320/bob+trio.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187401568515620034" /></a> Thankfully, headphones are provided so the rest of the museum-going audience is spared hearing your duet of 'Like A Rolling Stone'.<br /><br />Bob Dylan's American Journey, 1956-1966 exhibit runs through June 8, 2008<br />For more info, check out: <a href="http://skirball.org/">Skirball Cultural Center</a><br />$10 General Admission<br />Tues-Fri: 12pm-5pm<br />Sat-Sun: 10am-5pm<br />Thursdays: Extended hours 12pm-9pm, free!kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-40883580615419551462008-04-04T12:43:00.000-07:002008-04-04T15:16:26.317-07:00Sally Sells Seychelles By The Sea Shore - Seychelles Warehouse Sale!Try saying that 5 times. Or better yet, just buy 5 pairs of new shoes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJmz6urrIFuhamBKU1PgoAk1K_yOi7fOA5pHaDY4glnw-HyrKA7GSTYail3Fc1yaYSo0vB_4lQAcYPQ4hx29ljhE8UDu-Eu3nPsu9eku6_HOM_Kc3aRmdKLWocj45i7ho5r5h/s1600-h/row+of+shoes.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJmz6urrIFuhamBKU1PgoAk1K_yOi7fOA5pHaDY4glnw-HyrKA7GSTYail3Fc1yaYSo0vB_4lQAcYPQ4hx29ljhE8UDu-Eu3nPsu9eku6_HOM_Kc3aRmdKLWocj45i7ho5r5h/s320/row+of+shoes.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185500434847902578" /></a> You'll have to excuse the liberal use of the exclamation points but I just got back from the warehouse sale--with 10,000 pairs of Seychelles and BC Footwear Shoes to choose from!! Shoes for $30! Boots for $50! Cheap enough to revamp your entire shoe wardrobe for under $200!--and am still experiencing post-shoe-purchasing euphoria!! Especially because I'm already a big fan of Seychelles Shoes!! In fact, it's been over a year of non-blogging laziness but the warehouse sale (and one of my new years resolutions made 4 months ago) has compelled me to start writing about my sunny days a la mode again.<br /><br />The two day warehouse sale started at 10am. I arrived at the warehouse at 10:22am to see two women already leaving the building with 12 shoeboxes each. Although alarmed that meant there were 24 less pairs of shoes to choose from, I also took that as a good sign that the selection mustn't be half bad.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyexPYQbK2LFiwQTFnpAV4fSmljC4aLvlBwU3J-toK1R6wNELYm2MYCIYQa-4qE2PBXqs24urxwv6Ze4C_aRuIyyovYSe_wj_Lr9ABjSHxMx4ie2gMqug0Pdb3PVqlqYd0OGa/s1600-h/warehouse+sale.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyexPYQbK2LFiwQTFnpAV4fSmljC4aLvlBwU3J-toK1R6wNELYm2MYCIYQa-4qE2PBXqs24urxwv6Ze4C_aRuIyyovYSe_wj_Lr9ABjSHxMx4ie2gMqug0Pdb3PVqlqYd0OGa/s320/warehouse+sale.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185505249506241426" /></a><br /><br />After a 10 minute wait (and about 25 people in front of me), I was in. And Seychelles heaven it was! Row upon row of their signature suede roundtoe pumps, platform Mary Janes, funky knee-high boots and leather flats greeted me, each glowing with a "buy me for only $30!" allure. Kitschy style names such as "Don't Waste My Time" (leather Mary Janes with a triangular 3" heel) and "One Night Only" (ankle boots with buckle detailing) only adds to the appeal.<br /><br />Not much one for pushy claustophoby crowds nor bloody catfights over the last gotta-have 7 1/2 heel, I'm not a frequent warehouse or sample sale goin' gal so I have no idea if this was typical but I was impressed with:<br /><br />A) The orderly classification of all the shoes (no digging into bottomless bins here). <br /><br />Each row was highly organized with all of the available sizes in their respective shoeboxes stacked underneath each sample shoe. Differing colors were arranged by columns. Each style of shoe was where it was supposed to be and inside each shoebox was the right size, style, color and one left and right shoe. For those who say "But duh! That's simple!"...have you ever gone to a <a href="http://shoepavillion.com/">Shoe Pavillion</a> or <a href="https://www.dswshoes.com/">DSW</a>? Disorderly. Nightmare.<br /><br />B) The grand selection of styles and sizes.<br /><br />Not just an excuse to get rid of last winter's stock, the warehouse sale included styles which are currently on the <a href="http://www.seychellesfootwear.com/">Seychelles website</a> and at <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/">Urban Outfitters</a> for triple the price. Sizes weren't just reserved for the tiny and the behemoth...amongst the size 5-12's, there were just as many sizes in between. I am a size 7 1/2 or 8 and I found my size for every shoe I tried on. <br /><br />C) The other Seychelle Warehouse shoppers.<br /><br />Although everyone had a steely 'woman with a mission' focus in the eyes, this was the most civilized group of warehouse shoppers I've come across. No squabbling over who grabbed the shoebox first, no fighting for the two mirrors in the entire warehouse. Instead, we all patiently waited our turn to scour through the shoeboxes or for a glimpse in the mirror, unwanted shoes were returned back at their proper place as opposed to the nearest pile of shoes, females gave each other unsolicited "ooh, those look cute" and "there's more shoes on sale for only $10 over there" comments. many called their friends to describe and buy shoes for them over the phone, and I even asked a random stranger to try on a pair of flats to see how they looked with jeans, which she happily complied even though she was carrying 5 shoeboxes in her hands and was a size 10. It was as if this best warehouse sale ever also brought out everyone's best behavior.<br /><br />The pay line goes fast and they accept cash or credit card. I left with 5 pairs of shoes--for a mere $150, that's $30 each with tax included!--and a new dilemma of which new pair to wear first (hhhmm my purple "Happily Ever After" faux croc heels or my shimmery "Starter Husband" ballet flats?") <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoS8B1hTH6HUk6LNT1iT1IKCQhICSxqaxL8vz2LTMc7cxcrnK1HJRizspK8izhkJn5EmT8Q12ZNpI5n-hFb2kNj_d_fjRDUnv9BM0AHcRD5yV4J06CVknPI0iRSk6exPz9erg/s1600-h/seychelles.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoS8B1hTH6HUk6LNT1iT1IKCQhICSxqaxL8vz2LTMc7cxcrnK1HJRizspK8izhkJn5EmT8Q12ZNpI5n-hFb2kNj_d_fjRDUnv9BM0AHcRD5yV4J06CVknPI0iRSk6exPz9erg/s320/seychelles.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185506426327280546" /></a><br /><br />The two day warehouse sale goes on until 5pm today and starts up again tomorrow from 10am-4pm. Those looking to build on their Imelda Marcos-inspired footwear collection should there early to avoid the lines and before everything gets bought out. On average, most shoppers walked out with about 6-8 pairs of shoes each. For more info on the warehouse sale, check out <a href="http://www.dailycandy.com/los_angeles/article/35905/The+Weekend+Guide/">Daily Candy's weekend guide</a>kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20411314.post-19977451148129447432007-02-11T15:24:00.000-08:002007-02-11T17:30:13.351-08:003 Square Meals: 3 Square Cafe + Bakery<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCTfNWGJ8CdbLHyJmj31CWotNgXze74O0huomOUBKbUIkS0sBcYDOOBfs05-WPYopCxaHJ-1-JUk2FfqtYJWKhHKbmzAO2-mu-qF3zByRO3ReP6iAPo4rQsq__vHbrddSMMxq/s1600-h/3+square+pastries.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCTfNWGJ8CdbLHyJmj31CWotNgXze74O0huomOUBKbUIkS0sBcYDOOBfs05-WPYopCxaHJ-1-JUk2FfqtYJWKhHKbmzAO2-mu-qF3zByRO3ReP6iAPo4rQsq__vHbrddSMMxq/s320/3+square+pastries.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030434694955966642" /></a><br /><br />I am always on the looking for a good bakery to add to my list of favorite pastry-purchasing spots around town.<br /><br />(My incomplete but constantly growing list includes <a href="http://search.cityguide.aol.com/losangeles/restaurants/massimos-delectables/v-113952174/">Massimo's Delectables</a> in Culver City (buttery italian cookies and amazing inside-out apple cake), <a href="http://la.foodblogging.com/2006/04/25/amandine-patissiere-breakfast/">Amandine Patissiere</a> (fluffy pain au chocolate and homemade blueberry cheescake on Wilshire/Bundy), <a href="http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/35392290/los_angeles_ca/susina_bakery.html#profile/">Susina Bakery</a> (glossy fruit tarts and triple berry cake in spot where Sugar Plum Bakery used to be), Los Feliz's <a href="http://la.com/dining/bakeriescoffeebreakfast/alcovecafebakery/31462/">Alcove Cafe & Bakery</a> (gargantuan slices of banana cream pies and triple layer chocolate cakes), <a href="http://www.lepainquotidien.com/">Le Pain Quotidien</a> (dense belgium brownies...mmm), even Whole Food's bakery section with mini lemon tarts and just-baked buttery croissants...but I digress)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8x-O3Ck8DO5lXtEjm7e5iG3BGfwXeERLVtUp7bZ3BLX2zyxyXxa3NBdXbU4MN6E0Lee0P23zc4FUeOh1JIfRnPPwlVN72JWV36b0Xy05ik5kl7TiSbuE3zaLcC_lOEunmBh0/s1600-h/Three+Square.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8x-O3Ck8DO5lXtEjm7e5iG3BGfwXeERLVtUp7bZ3BLX2zyxyXxa3NBdXbU4MN6E0Lee0P23zc4FUeOh1JIfRnPPwlVN72JWV36b0Xy05ik5kl7TiSbuE3zaLcC_lOEunmBh0/s200/Three+Square.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030434978423808194" /></a>With the discovery of 3 Square Cafe + Bakery along Abbot Kinney, my favorite street in LA just got better. The side-by-side cafe/bakey double-spot is the newest offering from Hans Rockwagner. I've been eyeing the spot for weeks waiting for it to open. Currently, only the bakery side is open, the cafe side (which will be serving more substantial breakfast, lunch and dinner is due to open in a couple of weeks). I haven't visited his other spot, R Bakery in Mar Vista (read <a href="http://ferfood.blogspot.com/2006/08/r-rockenwagner-bakery.html">fer food's blog</a> for more info), but I hear his newest bakery shares R Bakery's same sandwich menu and tasty, oversized baked goodies. <br /><br />Located in a modern, loft-like building, 3 Square is minimalistic (look for either the 3 small colored squares painted on the glass door, or in the mornings, the line of pastry-enthusiasts milling about with their fresh-baked raspberry white-chocolate scones and Europe-imported Meinl coffee.)<br /><br />Inside, a long glass counter tempts with its array of fruity muffins, savory scones, chocolate-covered cookies, lemon bars and fruit tarts. I am normally a sucker for anything sweet and was eyeing this powdered sugar dusted pastry overflowing with juicy raspberry's but since I'm equally enamored with anything with cheese as a main ingredient, I was also leaning toward the poppy-seed/cheddar pretzel twist (which are available at the Rockwagner stall at the Santa Monica farmer's market) and the cheddar/bacon scone. I ended up going with the scone ($3) and unfortunately scarfed down the entire hunk of cheesy/bacony goodness before I could take a photo of it for this blog.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcLWeZT9BScz0A3Is8M-v9DjgEJ4whg2VLAnUk0Gsr1rUiob61i7PWcUxsSrhfGkG7B4xelXFW3vnYQLck7VpHqZKuZ9gFOG_jj7juvYl989jStQ2FlvkYgS603GM-q4zj9iw/s1600-h/3+square+bakery.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcLWeZT9BScz0A3Is8M-v9DjgEJ4whg2VLAnUk0Gsr1rUiob61i7PWcUxsSrhfGkG7B4xelXFW3vnYQLck7VpHqZKuZ9gFOG_jj7juvYl989jStQ2FlvkYgS603GM-q4zj9iw/s320/3+square+bakery.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030435399330603218" /></a><br />A chalkboard lists lunchtime options and breakfast specials. For future reference, I noted both the black forest ham, swiss and caramelize onion paninis and brie and caramelized pears on fig bread (both $7.50) as two tasty choices for next time.<br /><br />The long skinny spot doesn't have too much seating, there are a couple of tables and a long wooden counter to eat at, but it's not conducive to long girly chatting over lattes and strawberry-creme tarts, like Jin Patisserie across the road. <br /><br />Nevermind, I was craving the cheesy bacon scone so much, I made a special detour on my morning drive to pick one up on my way to work. The to-go experience is probably the way to go for the bakery. Neither the bakery nor street parking was super packed at 8:45am so the breakfast pickup was quick and easy--and definitely something that can incorporated as part of my morning commute routine.<br /><br />3 Square Cafe + Bakery<br />1211 Abbot Kinney Blvd<br />310/399-6504<br /><a href="http://www.dailycandy.com/article.jsp?ArticleId=29122&city=2/">Daily Candy's Profile</a><br /><br />Massimo's Delectables<br />13222 W. Washington Blvd<br />310/823-8381<br /><br />Susina Bakery<br />7122 Beverly Blvd/La Brea<br />323/934-7900<br /><br />Amandine Patissiere<br />12225 Wilshire Blvd <br />310/979-3211<br /><br /><a href="http://www.lepainquotidien.com/">Le Pain Quotidien</a>kiwichickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136700047244155418noreply@blogger.com1