I keep thinking of this ad when I think "Las Vegas" :)
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Arm of the Law
@ the Little Tokyo starbux.
The joint is always full of LAPD and LA County Sherriff officers. This is essentially the coffee and donuts joint nearest to LAPD headquarters, even though most of the officers tend to scones instead of donuts.
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Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Strawberry Fields
I learned a new slang term here in LA... "Strawberry" aka a woman who sells sex and blow jobs for crack or to get money for crack or LSD.
In talking about getting sex, my room mate spoke of the recovering addicts in downtown LA as "Rebuilt Strawberries". Heh.
Los Angeles, in my opinion is a feminine city, not a masculine city like New York. And the term "Rebuilt Strawberry" applies SO well to the city.
I finished reading "The memoirs of a Hollywood SuperMadam", where Jody "BabyDol" Gibson recounts her days running escort services for LA's rich and mighty, naming names. What shocked me was that she never had to recruit women in LA - they came to HER, and the list of actresses, models and the like that worked for her would boggle the mind. The rotating cast of women on "Two and a Half Men" should give one an idea of the type of women she employed as contractors.
But it clarified a lot of the things I saw and people I met in LA. "Rebuilt Strawberry" fits.
In talking about getting sex, my room mate spoke of the recovering addicts in downtown LA as "Rebuilt Strawberries". Heh.
Los Angeles, in my opinion is a feminine city, not a masculine city like New York. And the term "Rebuilt Strawberry" applies SO well to the city.
I finished reading "The memoirs of a Hollywood SuperMadam", where Jody "BabyDol" Gibson recounts her days running escort services for LA's rich and mighty, naming names. What shocked me was that she never had to recruit women in LA - they came to HER, and the list of actresses, models and the like that worked for her would boggle the mind. The rotating cast of women on "Two and a Half Men" should give one an idea of the type of women she employed as contractors.
But it clarified a lot of the things I saw and people I met in LA. "Rebuilt Strawberry" fits.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Near and Far
I had a dream that had someone Ive never met, but known online for a few years was in it.
Weird. And I think this same person was in a dream of mine before. Very weird. Particularly since she isnt even in the country.
This got me to thinking about the different people Ive had the privilege to meet, and not met after having known them online.
I am, by nature, on the reclusive side, so I add people to my life grudgingly and rarely bother with the socializing. However, if Ive known someone for over a year say, I tend to consider them a friend with rights and loyalty accorded. To a certain extent, I do that with people Ive met over the Internet, but Im more wary about them. I've learned they are essentially strangers who just happen to know more about me than the average person. Until you have that eye to eye, see them, smell thenm and eyeball their quirks, you can never really truly get to know people.
Over the years, I have met several of these folk in the flesh. Most are who they seem to be, but with the additional subtext of interacting in the flesh. I can think of one who has become a good friend "in real life", but thats about it. There are some Ive never met, and may not ever meet, but I consider them trusted friends, but it is unlikely we will ever meet in person, primarily because of distance.
That said, if it werent for the folk Ive met online - I wouldve never gotten onto this crazy ride Im on... :)
Weird. And I think this same person was in a dream of mine before. Very weird. Particularly since she isnt even in the country.
This got me to thinking about the different people Ive had the privilege to meet, and not met after having known them online.
I am, by nature, on the reclusive side, so I add people to my life grudgingly and rarely bother with the socializing. However, if Ive known someone for over a year say, I tend to consider them a friend with rights and loyalty accorded. To a certain extent, I do that with people Ive met over the Internet, but Im more wary about them. I've learned they are essentially strangers who just happen to know more about me than the average person. Until you have that eye to eye, see them, smell thenm and eyeball their quirks, you can never really truly get to know people.
Over the years, I have met several of these folk in the flesh. Most are who they seem to be, but with the additional subtext of interacting in the flesh. I can think of one who has become a good friend "in real life", but thats about it. There are some Ive never met, and may not ever meet, but I consider them trusted friends, but it is unlikely we will ever meet in person, primarily because of distance.
That said, if it werent for the folk Ive met online - I wouldve never gotten onto this crazy ride Im on... :)
Why a Mental Health Day in LA counts as a medical emergency
While living in Berkeley years ago, a friend from LA looked at me as if I were crazy when I told him I planned on going to LA.
"People there are ASS-holes."
Turned out he knew a little of what he was talking about.
Spoke to him on chat today, giving him a summarization of my experiences here.
----
Ive been in LA for six months now, and Im taking a break from the place.It is amazing to go to a place that is so brutal mentally that people crack under the pressure.
I havent cracked, but Ive taken too many blows to the head here. So much so - I need a break.
Heh, so Im going to Vegas for a mental break.
Doc's orders. :)
It is so bad here that the welfare people here will exempt you from their requirements if they feel you cant mentally take the pressure. Seriously.
Of course, many in LA will scoff and say it is no different than elsewhere. I beg to differ.
Still, what doesnt kill you, can make you stronger.
But I now understand why Las Vegas exists. It is LA's decompression capsule.
"People there are ASS-holes."
Turned out he knew a little of what he was talking about.
Spoke to him on chat today, giving him a summarization of my experiences here.
Me: LA isnt all bad, but its most definitely a different state of mind. Your words kept resonating in my head.
Steve: I tried to warn you. Don't get me wrong there are some good people there but it is so much about appearances and materialism and who you can say who you know in show Biz.
----
Ive been in LA for six months now, and Im taking a break from the place.It is amazing to go to a place that is so brutal mentally that people crack under the pressure.
I havent cracked, but Ive taken too many blows to the head here. So much so - I need a break.
Heh, so Im going to Vegas for a mental break.
Doc's orders. :)
It is so bad here that the welfare people here will exempt you from their requirements if they feel you cant mentally take the pressure. Seriously.
Of course, many in LA will scoff and say it is no different than elsewhere. I beg to differ.
Still, what doesnt kill you, can make you stronger.
But I now understand why Las Vegas exists. It is LA's decompression capsule.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The view from my apartment, Bayonne 2001
This was the view from my apartment in Bayonne. Normally, the skies normally would be filled with planes circling to land at any of four of the NY airports. This shows an almost empty sky.
The plane contrail in the middle of the sky is that of a patrolling F-16, as for months after 9/11, no planes were allowed in the New York airspace, and those that were had to fly proscribed routes (still do) or risk getting shot out of the air.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Today's horrorscope sed
It won't be long before you are back to your best and looking for ways to make your mark on the world. In the meantime, conserve your energy - you are going to need it.
Over the next few days you will get the opportunity to look into the future and see how the work side of your life is likely to evolve. If you don't like what you see there is still time to change it. Your future is not written in stone - yet.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Brooklyn 2001
The subway stop for my mom's house in Brooklyn.
Except for Allan's and Hammond's Bakeries, I have little reason to get off there now. :(
Friday, October 17, 2008
To a degree that has surprised me, being in LA has made me understand better how movies are made.For example, the movie Mr & Mrs Smith, although set in New York, was filmed mostly in LA, as are the majority of feature fims and TV shows for logistics reasons, primarily. I recently rewatched that movie and could pick out where in Downtown LA.
For instance the scene where the Smiths have their confrontation on a construction site, was supposedly set at a skyscraper, but was actually filmed at the construction of LA's CalTrans "Death Star" located across the street from LA's City Hall complex in downtown Los Angeles. The building is not even a skyscraper, they put in a cut shot (heh, "cut shot") of the Bloomberg Building in New York to give the impression of it being a 70 story skyscraper.
To the unsurprise of many Los Angelenos, Downtown Los Angeles substitutes for many different urban locales so that unless you know what you are looking at, so to my surprise, the iconic shot of Angelina Jolie jumping from the penthouse suite of a building in Manhattan and upon reaching the sidewalk, she blithely stepped into a cab.
With new eyes, I recognize the building as a one set in the heart of Downtown LA at 6th and Hill Streets, a location where I take the bus all the time. And when I look at the NY cab, I now recognize it as a prop cab, repainted yellow from white, as the interior of the cab's door is white - which would never happen in Manhattan, because the cabs are painted yellow INSIDE and OUT.
Small details, but ones I make now that Ive been in LA long enough to be able to connect the dots.
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Even more astounding, watching the Pixar movie "The Incredibles" for the umpteenth time with the directors and animators commentaries running, I am able to understand the process of film-making with new eyes. Until, I had admired the movie because of the story but now see how much more involved the making of this movie is, and enjoying it more frankly.
Even though the movie was made largely on computers, "sets" still had to be "made" and "dressed", "actors" had to be hired and the movie still had to be directed. In fact, it was made clear that animated films are tougher to make than livefilms, taking longer to put together than a regular movie.
I dont really watch movies any more, but I am seeing them with new eyes since coming to LA.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
5:10 am Downtown LA
5:10 am
For the first time since Ive been in LA, I heard gunshots this morning, the characteristic loud-hammer-on-plywood sound of 9mm gunfire. The first 4 in quick succession, and then another.
There were no sirens afterward, and no mention of it on the news, so who knows what happened.
--------
Living in San Francisco and other cities, I heard far more gunfire than I have here in Los Angeles in the few months Ive been here. Of course, Im not in the right part of LA, but even so - it seems the gunplay I am so used to in other cities doesnt occur as often as potrayed in the media.
Based on what Ive seen so far, either theyve got a decent handle on crime or things may be overblown.
Heh, watch some idjit prove me wrong.
*BAM BAM BAM BAM ....... BAM*
For the first time since Ive been in LA, I heard gunshots this morning, the characteristic loud-hammer-on-plywood sound of 9mm gunfire. The first 4 in quick succession, and then another.
There were no sirens afterward, and no mention of it on the news, so who knows what happened.
--------
Living in San Francisco and other cities, I heard far more gunfire than I have here in Los Angeles in the few months Ive been here. Of course, Im not in the right part of LA, but even so - it seems the gunplay I am so used to in other cities doesnt occur as often as potrayed in the media.
Based on what Ive seen so far, either theyve got a decent handle on crime or things may be overblown.
Heh, watch some idjit prove me wrong.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
An original Mini Clubman
In Westwood.
I might have ridden in one of these once or a hundred times in my childhood.
There was another craving
This time at the UCLA In N Out. I needed to try another location other than the one in Hollywood.
Theyve raised the price to $1.73 for a hamburger now! When I tried for the first time, it was $1.45.
Bush has a lot ot answer for.
New York, signify
Unless theyre actually from New York, wearing New York themed gear among some Anglenos is popular.
My take is that they feel that by wearing New York floss, they attain some of the tough, streetwise aura of New Yorkers.
In truth, most native Californians arent eager to go to New York and flee back home at the first opportunity.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Hollywood Life
The story behind the limo driver holding these hot burgers for the rock stars kids still tickles me. :)
Recap : This was at the American Idol finals, he had to go across the street, bribe an usher 20 bux to get into the McDonalds inside the Staples Center in the middle of a Lakers playoff game and get back in time so the rock star's kids could have hot Happy Meals.
Still, he earns about 200 bux a day in tips, so he's not about to complain.
The Crash of 2008
Except for the worldwide recessions of the mid 70's amd early '80's - Ive not seen anything this bad. And that was bad.
However, this is the time when many people are making money and gathering bargains. Citibank tried to acquire Wachovia for only 2 billion?? GM, the largest company in the world, the stock is selling for only $4?? Madness and opportunity.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
The Blue Angels pay LA a visit
While wandering LA's Lincoln Heights neighborhood Monday, to my surprise, the Blue Angels flew lazily overhead.
They were on their way to Frisco for Fleet Week and circled the LA area before heading north.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/07/BAC813B14H.DTL
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Me by the LA mayoral car
Those rims are custom. :)
There is also a modded engine and run flat tires in case they get shot out. This car is trick.
USC band @ Phillipe's 100th Anniversary
Phillipe's Original French-Dipped Sandwiches is an LA institution that every Angeleno has eaten at at one time or another.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
USC fan
He had just come in from Afghanistan and asked for a picture of the flag and him under it. No problem.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Today's horrorscope sed
Being comfortable is overrated -- especially right now, when the stimulation you really crave isn't going to feel warm and cuddly. So go get uncomfortable. Explore emotions and activities that make you feel weird. Why? As soon as you start to explore the unknown, it becomes known -- and you've grown. Just go with the flow today and if an opportunity to try something comes along, grab it! And enjoy the fact that it won't feel nice and easy at first.
---
I am so feening for coffee, that I am tempted to use the last bux on the starbux card to get a decaf mocha. Just one.
Heh, just one. Thats how it starts.
---
Today you go from ambitious to scary ambitious. But there’s nothing wrong with that as long as you’re smart about it.
The words "millions" and "set for life" keep going through my head.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Seen at the LAPL
At first, I thought this guy looked like a good friend I knew back in Berkeley years ago, but thought - Nah, couldnt be, must be his doppelganger.
Turns out, it IS Michael. One of the reasons we were good friends was that we are like minded when it comes to business and we got back to where we left off. He reminded me of what I would talk about back then , and said I was remarkably focused about what I wanted even then. And in talking to him, made me realize -I am a lot closer to my financial goals than I ever realized.
And Ive been looking right at it the past few years.
Not so much a "Doh" moment but a realization that made me go "Ohhhhhh".
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
On a coffee fast
Hanging out at starbux these past few months for free wifi and unlimited refills of decaf has messed up my blood pressure.
So, I am now on Day 5 of the coffee fast. Im hoping I can last a month.
The feening for coffee only increases daily.
New scoop from the Enquirer
Sarah Palin and her extramarital affair.
Granted, this was allegedly in the 90's, but still.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Today's horrorscope sed
Money problems of one sort or another may be getting you down but today's new moon indicates that you are on the cusp of a more profitable period, so cheer up and start looking for ways you can boost your income. You'll soon be rolling in cash.
Now, THAT'S what I like to hear. :)
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