Feb 1, 2011
Bjorn Bailie
of La Rocca. Whatever happened to this band? I was pretty into them for a couple years in college.
Jan 31, 2011
Flashing lights.
Most of you know that I am more than passingly interested in Los Angeles history. As such, I read lots o'blogs about this stuff with some irregularity. I RSSfeed Dear Old Hollywood (what are the grammar rules involving blogs? I am going to assume they are italicized and individual posts are put in quotation marks and not look this up) and "Hollywood's Earl Carroll Theatre" turned out to be really swell, although not as much because of the post as because of one of the comments.
The Earl Carroll Theatre also had a clever way of displaying their neon sign at night - the THEATRE part would flash EAT, then AT, then THE, then THEATRE.Get it? I love that. Thanks, "Matt." By the way, the theater is now Nickelodeon's studio in Hollywood.
Jan 30, 2011
I went to see the Maira Kalman exhibition at the Skirball yesterday. I liked it way more than I expected; I liked it a lot. But, after leaving, I wanted to learn more about her husband, Tibor. Check out this interesting biography.
Jan 29, 2011
Pigeon John
He was on my radio show a while back. He's still recording the jams. Check out this commercial with his track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBnnmTnleuw
Jan 27, 2011
Jan 26, 2011
DSC02505a
This picture encapsulates so much I love about Los Angeles: LA RIVER!, OLD BRIDGES!, PALM TREES!
Jan 25, 2011
Jan 24, 2011
'the hidden geography of production'
I googled the title I gave to this picture when I posted it. Google has never heard of it. So it's probably something from one of my college geography classes. It's pretty clear what it means, right?
Jan 23, 2011
Jan 22, 2011
Jan 21, 2011
Jan 20, 2011
Jan 19, 2011
Jan 18, 2011
Jan 17, 2011
Jan 16, 2011
Jan 15, 2011
Jan 14, 2011
Jan 13, 2011
Jan 11, 2011
Jan 9, 2011
It's time for that annual removal.
To make room for 2011 in the sidebar:
Books I Read: 2009 Edition
- Amos Oz - A Tale of Love and Darkness
- Colin Shindler - A History of Modern Israel
- Gershon Shaked (ed.) - Six Israeli Novellas
- Nick Hornby - High Fidelity
- Raymond Chandler - Blue Dahlia (Screenplay)
- Raymond Chandler - English Summer: A Gothic Romance
- Raymond Chandler - Killer in the Rain
- Raymond Chandler - The Notebooks of Raymond Chandler
- Robert Alter (ed.) - Modern Hebrew Literature
People really enjoying LA Font
and balloons, at the Origami Vinyl record release in-store show this past October!
Jan 8, 2011
Jan 6, 2011
Jan 5, 2011
Reyner Banham Loves LA and Laura Loves Reyner Banham
I really should have tagged all these posts I write about Reyner Banham, but now, perhaps, it's too late to start. This is a really awesome picture of Banham cycling on a dry salt lake in California! Awesome! Thank you East of Borneo.
I want to know how to turn a block of wood, more like block of tree, into a lamp, more like lightbulb holder. And have it not blow up or electrocute me or whatever other dangerous disaster looms. Sorta like this: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNwCESpNF6iaWN-TZvG3GE2cEu09KlITDtTafgvbVAQyudGJmKZm3Sf9M8Mj9DSqNcSf_vCrmuhygWIVkRLyooow_bGyvKW6lniCYEaIN5DYhqJZp2IIH1Mx6b1n-erkfTFf5/s1600/nightgrouping.jpg
Jan 4, 2011
According to Google, the fourth-most-asked “why?” question in Mandarin in 2009 was “Why are Jews excellent?”.
Jan 3, 2011
Mail Master
I'm a close-to-great pen pal (would be really great if I didn't occasionally have long delays in between responses). I currently have three-ish pen pals. I think I could handle up to five at a time. Just sayin'.
Jan 2, 2011
2011 Photo A Day Adventure!
I meant to start this yesterday, but due to brunch club lasting all day (awesome!), I am starting it today instead. We will now start on a daily photo adventure through my flickr collection. I have always enjoyed this Streamline Moderne building in Culver City. Let's hope 2011 is a year of no car accidents.
Dec 27, 2010
Dec 25, 2010
Dec 13, 2010
Obviously, I've been spending a lot of time looking at the UCLA Library Digital Collections.
Here's an interesting set to ponder:
Today: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=main+st+and+alameda+st&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=N+Alameda+St+%26+N+Main+St,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90012&gl=us&ei=uYEGTd3iGo-msQOs8enzBw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBMQ8gEwAA
1877, "Lands of the Los Angeles City Water Company": http://digital2.library.ucla.edu/viewItem.do?ark=21198/zz0015zzqq
Today: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=main+st+and+alameda+st&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=N+Alameda+St+%26+N+Main+St,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90012&gl=us&ei=uYEGTd3iGo-msQOs8enzBw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBMQ8gEwAA
1877, "Lands of the Los Angeles City Water Company": http://digital2.library.ucla.edu/viewItem.do?ark=21198/zz0015zzqq
Dec 12, 2010
I just saw this photo in the UCLA Library's digital Walter E. Bennett Photographic Collection of the audience during The Beatles' concert on August 15, 1966 in Washington, D.C. It's pretty great. Makes me think, though, that I still do not understand the craziness. I have never, even it my most ridiculous fandom, ever been so excited about anything.
Second day of food poisoning-related inactivity was spent watching Undeclared (best show) and reading every post I've ever written on this blog. FYI, 2007 was the golden year. Take a look back. Less internet-curating, more entertaining writing.
And some stats, which I just realized blogger does on its own and no longer requires me checking Analytics.
52% of my readers use IE. How strange. 80% use Windows. Top three countries of origin are unsurprisingly USA, UK, and Canada (all time means only since May of 2010 to Blogger; that must have been when they started this service). Although today, the top three countries are USA, Malaysia, and Poland.
These are weirdly the most popular posts: 1 and 2.
And some stats, which I just realized blogger does on its own and no longer requires me checking Analytics.
52% of my readers use IE. How strange. 80% use Windows. Top three countries of origin are unsurprisingly USA, UK, and Canada (all time means only since May of 2010 to Blogger; that must have been when they started this service). Although today, the top three countries are USA, Malaysia, and Poland.
These are weirdly the most popular posts: 1 and 2.
Dec 10, 2010
Thanks to food poisoning, I have spent all day watching television. Just finished Max Dugan Returns. I was creeping out myself by finding Matthew Broderick attractive, given that he is supposed to be like 14 years old. Good thing IMDB was there to save my conscience--he was 21. Phew. Simultaneously and also awkwardly attracted to Donald Sutherland. So bizarre.
Dec 8, 2010
Songs of the Norwegian Fjords
I bought this record last week! Good thing the internet already has it photographed so I can save all that tremendous effort. Anyways, it's wonderful. Also, the artwork is sublime. LITERALLY, ASHI DIAMON.
Dec 5, 2010
woahhh Sugihara
For real, lateness is annoying.
"...the streets downtown point to other destinations, that these streets still resist the city's American occupation in 1847."
I believe in handwriting!
and, finally: I want to live in this house: http://www.redfin.com/CA/Los-Angeles/3763-Fredonia-Dr-90068/home/5310659 which was supposedly Mary Blair's house (!) and is sorta awesomely on Fredonia just as I am watching Duck Soup
For real, lateness is annoying.
"...the streets downtown point to other destinations, that these streets still resist the city's American occupation in 1847."
I believe in handwriting!
and, finally: I want to live in this house: http://www.redfin.com/CA/Los-Angeles/3763-Fredonia-Dr-90068/home/5310659 which was supposedly Mary Blair's house (!) and is sorta awesomely on Fredonia just as I am watching Duck Soup
Nov 20, 2010
This list is for Brittany.
- Athlete - Flying Over Bus Stops
- Billy Joel - Captain Jack
- Riz Ortolani - Cannibal Holocaust Main Theme
- Ray Charles - What'd I Say
- Cato Salsa Experience - Up & Around
- MF Doom - Operation Greenbacks
- Les Orchestra Members of The Brown - Twilight Time (This artist name doesn't make an sense)
- Delays - There's Water Here
- Jethro Tull - Dharma for One
- Drive-By Truckers - Never Gonna Change
- Robert Frost - The Gift Outright (this is the only track on this list I've listened to before)
- David Bowie - The Dreamers
- Susan Barrett - Is You Is, Or Is You Ain't Ma' Baby
- Rufus Wainwright - Spotlight on Christmas
- Miles Davis - Footprints
Nov 19, 2010
Nov 6, 2010
Banned words, banned books, etc.
Unrelated, but I'm sure Billy Bragg would have something to say about banning words. Billy Bragg & Mavis Staples at Royce tonight. Pretty fab. James Spader and Tom Morello were there. And some other guy that all the ushers were trying to place but couldn't. Perhaps you can help: he's about 5"10 or perhaps a little shorter, very pale skin, dark black hair, sorta greaser-y. Probably plays a villain, but in a not muscular way. That's how far we got in the recognition.
Also, Bragg and Staples TOGETHER doing "The Weight" was definitely awesome. Bragg didn't, however, play "Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key," which for sure would have made my week.
Bragg's shirts, also silly-ly known as "Bragg Swag," were of course printed on Union Made or some other brand like that. As way too many patrons pointed out to us, he would have to after playing "There is Power in a Union." BUT, if I am going to spend $25 on a tshirt, it has to be soft. These were shirts were soooo not even close to buyable. Get your act together, unions!
Unrelated, but I'm sure Billy Bragg would have something to say about banning words. Billy Bragg & Mavis Staples at Royce tonight. Pretty fab. James Spader and Tom Morello were there. And some other guy that all the ushers were trying to place but couldn't. Perhaps you can help: he's about 5"10 or perhaps a little shorter, very pale skin, dark black hair, sorta greaser-y. Probably plays a villain, but in a not muscular way. That's how far we got in the recognition.
Also, Bragg and Staples TOGETHER doing "The Weight" was definitely awesome. Bragg didn't, however, play "Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key," which for sure would have made my week.
Bragg's shirts, also silly-ly known as "Bragg Swag," were of course printed on Union Made or some other brand like that. As way too many patrons pointed out to us, he would have to after playing "There is Power in a Union." BUT, if I am going to spend $25 on a tshirt, it has to be soft. These were shirts were soooo not even close to buyable. Get your act together, unions!
Nov 2, 2010
Just in case you don't routinely peruse the commons collections on flickr, this is a reminder that you should. OMG Gottlieb jazz collection, yowza!
![[Portrait of Cab Calloway, New York, N.Y.(?), ca. Jan. 1947] (LOC)](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tBfsRgYLjF-qnwnOUwHu7VTfwmW3vZK17zuo5oqWJk-gHwXFTi-zvva2a7ba2QHLrXvmWrV5GILV1vLZ5hjUD-nh0m8b7BnPA7v8XbW_Yiqtlq3vbr-wPbAFMtD60b5dg=s0-d)
Nov 1, 2010
Oct 24, 2010
A surprising move for Walmart.
Earthquake Quartet? Bizarre.
Is there a future for Mariachi Plaza?
There are three Subway shops in the Pentagon? Hmm.
Human skin lampshade. Scary.
Don't miss the boat. NO on Proposition 23. duh.
Censoring in the US?
In other news, I went to the new Which Wich today, a new development I have been most decided about. It was, however, only open for a private party. Immense disappointment! I did spot Josh from Sabrina the Teenage Witch (don't know his real name but yeah Sabrina the Teenage Witch! best show of middle school times).
Earthquake Quartet? Bizarre.
Is there a future for Mariachi Plaza?
There are three Subway shops in the Pentagon? Hmm.
Human skin lampshade. Scary.
Don't miss the boat. NO on Proposition 23. duh.
Censoring in the US?
In other news, I went to the new Which Wich today, a new development I have been most decided about. It was, however, only open for a private party. Immense disappointment! I did spot Josh from Sabrina the Teenage Witch (don't know his real name but yeah Sabrina the Teenage Witch! best show of middle school times).
Oct 13, 2010
PROBLEM
There is definitely some piece of music used in "No Reservations'" underscore that has been used in the foreground of some other show that I can't think of. And, it's driving me crazy. Please help!
UPDATE: I think it's used in Sundance's "Iconoclast." Hmmm.
UPDATE: I think it's used in Sundance's "Iconoclast." Hmmm.
WHAT!?#%*
Crazy: "Some 40 years ago," MGM dumped many thousands of musical scores to be used as landfill in the building of the 405 freeway.
Every day I watch some PBS, and every day I learn something outrageous.
Every day I watch some PBS, and every day I learn something outrageous.
Sep 28, 2010
Sep 26, 2010
Reasons why I love Clifton's Cafeteria, even though the food is terrible.
I just found this post I wrote October 19, 2009. I don't know why I never published it. Perhaps, I knew subconsciously Clifton's would one day change and I would have to not so much defend it's honor but remind you of what it once was.
- "Clifton's" is a portmanteau of Clifford Clinton. I love portmanteaus.
- All the really good fonts.
- The fancy floor outside the entry. Macadamed maybe? I don't remember the correct descriptor. (But today, September 26, 2010, I do: it's terrazzo).
- It's Huell Howser approved.
- The fake bears make me nostalgic for The Country Bear Jamboree, which Disneyland should never have removed--or made a movie about.
- The variety of antlers available for viewing in quite some random places.
- The gang of Bible Crusaders in orange shirts using the second floor as it's pamphlet-folding headquarters.
- The creepy mini-chapel that talks to you when you push a button.
- It's pretty cheap to eat there (but not this good).
- OMG FLOCKED WALLPAPER.
Sep 2, 2010
Aug 12, 2010
Aug 3, 2010
I've liked Ferraby Lionheart's music in some form or another for maybe close to a decade, but tonight's show was really super spectacular. Way better than anything he's recorded. Big sound! Thanks to some of Leslie & the Badgers and some others as his backing band. Really, really swell. oh, hey, the show was free! His new album comes out tomorrow, but, sadly, it's not this sequined-suit-wearing sound that I want it to be.
P.S. There was prestidigitation (!) involved. Legerdemain/prestidigitation--which is a better word? Tough decision.
P.S. There was prestidigitation (!) involved. Legerdemain/prestidigitation--which is a better word? Tough decision.
Aug 2, 2010
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