Friday, March 30, 2007

Los Angeles On Fire

Well, not all of it. But walking in Bev Hills and West Hollywood this afternoon, I looked up and thought, holy shit, the hills are on fire. And they were. Plenty of great photos and coverage everywhere. Check out Atwater Newbie and Defamer, at the very least.

It's going to be a long fire season after 2 inches of rain since last July and none in sight.

More pics here.

The Next War

Meteor Blades over at Daily Kos wonders if the British sailors captured by the Iranians is the flame that will ignite the next war. There are no good options and this terrible place that the world finds itself in is directly the result of the bad actions of the US Government under Bush. What I would give for a blow job to be the lead story of the day...

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Canele in Atwater Village

So, finally, we returned. It was a strange and windy night after a blustery and bizarre early spring day in L.A. We --well, I-- really didn't want to go to Acapulco again --though, it's hard to resist those coupons-- but rather go someplace different. It could have been Da Gianino or the Other Side or the Vietnamese place across from Silver Lake Wine, but it turned out to be Canele.

Approaching it from outside, it seemed so warm and welcoming. A small bistro in a tight knit diverse neighborhood, it brought us in. We sat at a small two top and ordered a couple glasses of wine. They weren't served in wine glasses --which our later neighbors got-- but that was fine. We split an absolutely delicious avocado and shrimp salad that was cool and refreshing and a delicious special of ham, spanish cheese and quince paste. Great appetizers.

After, Carl had the seared red snapper with herbed rice and I had the beef tenderloin with pomme anna and broccoli. Carl's fish was fabulous, lemony and not at all fishy, but the rice had too much fenel for our liking. Well, any fenel would be too much fenel. My beef, broccoli and potatoes were sensational.

The service was warm and gracious. I spied the canele's under a towel as we left, pointed at them and then the hostess/owner asked if we would like one. Mission accomplished. They were a great way to end the meal as we walked out.

The prices are still rather steep for a neighborhood hot spot, but the food and service were a treat.

Go to Canele.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Amy Winehouse

Oh. My. God.

Anti Iraq War Protest in Hollywood













More pics from Hollywood protest here.

An Almost Spring Day in L.A.

Ok, well, it felt more like June Gloom yesterday than almost spring, but with a winter without rain that followed a scorching summer, who can tell what season we're in really. Anyway, I started the day off with a great constitutional in Runyon Canyon. I was supposed to meet Tom there, but Tom overslept. The bad news was that I didn't have the weekly chance to bitch about my week to Tom and hear him bitch back. It's usually good for an hour of shits and giggles. The good news was that I got to take an easier route.

After my hike, I came home and decided that I, indeed, did have time to go the Iraq War protest at Hollywood and Vine and still meet Brian, Andrew and Barbara downtown to see "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf". So, I drove over to Los Feliz and took the Metro to Hollywood & Vine. The subway was packed. Is this city turning into a real city or what? Well, it has been one for some time, but it's good to see that people are taking transit more.

So, the march got off to a late start, but I was able to snap some pics before I had to head back downtown. I got to the music center in time to have a glass of wine before the performance. After all, you can't really see a play wherein the main character is booze and not have a little something something. Well, the play was really amazing. Kathleen Turner, Bill Irwin and the two others (forgive me)were sensational.

Then, it was back on the subway to get my car in Los Feliz and then delicious early dinner at Malo, a glass of Jameson on Patty's Day and then home before 9.

A great L.A.Day. Oh, and please bring the troops home now!

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Meow

via defamer.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Will you be my dixie chicken?

Courtesy of Gary. By the way, I just added this to my iPod like two weeks ago. Takes me back!

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Gays OK

Well, Alan Simpson -- former senator from Wyoming -- now thinks so. I agree, but, Senator, what's changed? Nothing.

iRaq

Yeah, I think MadTV has a good grip on it.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

The Google Bus Line

Google shuttles 1,200 of its employees from home to work and back every day aboard luxuriously comfortable busses for free. What would it take for large companies in L.A.to do that? I'd love if the company I work for offered something like this.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Los Angeles Red Cars

Here's what a red car looked like crossing Fletcher Ave. just a few blocks from my house back in the day. Amazing snapshot!

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Los Angeles Marathon

So, today, I got up at 5:30a to go meet my friend at Runyon Canyon and get in a sunrise hike before the marathon started and traffic would be effed all day. Just before I leave, I get online to review the marathon route and --shit-- streets are blocked from 3am on. Surely, they must be allowing some cars somwhere through on east/west streets, right?

So, I head off. Get as far as Gower and there's nothing more I can do. I head south hoping to find some way to go. South doesn't do it. Every street is blocked. So, I make an executive decision and call Tom. "I give up." Sorry, Tom, but some hurdles cannot be overcome.

I turn around, head back north and park by the Observatory. It's me and a good chunk of Asian L.A. (seriously, not that I have a problem with it, but are asian americans the only people who hike in Griffith Park early in the morning? seriously? it's weird.) I climbed the trails to Dante's View and, after the rain of last week and the wind of this weekend, the views are stunning.

Coming down the hill, I decide that I'm going to park my car near the Vermont red line station and take the metro to Hollywood and Vine to watch the marathoners at mile 4. Boy, am I glad I did that. As always, the marathon inspires --from wheelchair athletes to women, men, children, groups, the elvises and all. Just a sea of humanity bobbing and weaving down Hollywood Blvd. and Vine St.

Really really great. And the crowds were enormous. The marathon changes route every year butI think they finally nailed it. This was the perfect route.

Now, if they can only figure out how to manage traffic prior to the race...

Pics to come, perhaps later today, if I can figure out how to download them off my new Razor (suggestions and hints are appreciated).