found my wedding dress

I'm not sure if I can carry this dress off, though.



(Thanks Helena!)

BTW, I forgot to mention that Jim and I finally threw some pictures from our engagement party online. Here they are, but the one below is one of my favorites.

it sucks being a responsible adult

I hope someone out there was able to make it to the free concert at the Hammer Museum earlier tonight (yesterday if you want to get technical about it) featuring my cousin Chris' band. You might have heard of them, Silversun Pickups. I had it on my calendar all week, but I got a call from Bigshot Producer - they want the rewrite muy pronto, which means Friday in Spanish. Okay, it doesn't, but I have to turn it in on Friday, which means I can't do anything until it's done.

At midnight tonight, I looked out the window and down the street towards my favorite supersecretlatenighthangout. Then the phone rang. It was Kristin, wondering if I was going to our supersecretlatenighthangout. She had already been partying, but wanted to continue. I toyed around with the idea - it's only for a few hours and I need a break anyways, I can pick up where I left off at 3am when I return from my short break. But I kept my eyes on the prize, made plans for the weekend (which she probably won't remember because she was already plastered), and went right back to work. So this is what it's like, being a somewhat responsible adult.

weekend wrap-up and last remaining seats

Didn't do as much of what I hoped/planned to do over the holiday weekend, what with the heat and all. I did manage to take Jim to one of my favorite restaurants that I don't go to often enough, La Serenata de Garibaldi in Boyle Heights. I had the lengua, which was so tender and delicious it almost melted in my mouth. Jim gave the thumbs up on his beef flautas, but I didn't try it, I was so engrossed with my lengua. Their sangria was so yummy that Jim switched from the also yummy (but not as much as the sangria) margarita. A couple serenaded us, with guitar accompaniment, and it was just perfect. It was a beautiful, quiet dinner on a hot Saturday night - the perfect lull before the action-packed holiday weekend festivities.

We had dinner Sunday night as planned, Shannon blogged about it. Monday night, we went to the Hollywood Bowl for their 4th of July fireworks show and I managed to make it through special guest Kenny Loggins' performance (even though he didn't sing "Danger Zone" from Top Gun) and the loud, rude, disruptive members of the audience without my brain exploding or physical altercations. Jim said the Bowl's website said no cameras, so I wasn't able to practice taking pictures of fireworks, but everybody else and LA Voice ignored it and took pictures anyway. On Tuesday we caught a matinee of The Devil Wears Prada - Meryl Streep was wonderful, as was Stanley Tucci, and despite some minor annoyances in the story, I really enjoyed it. Then it was on to feasting and fireworks at Gabrielle and Jim's pad. Yeah, it was a good weekend.

Tonight, Jim and I are going to watch Rebel Without A Cause at the Los Angeles Theater, the last show in the season for the LA Conservancy's Last Remaining Seats.

This is the Palace Theater, taken while standing in line a few weeks ago.


This is the Los Angeles Theater, taken across the street while standing in line for the Harold Lloyd comedies at the Palace Theater.


This is the interior, taken during the screening for The Mask of Zorro.


Tonight's show is sold out, so you're out of luck if you didn't get your tix early. It's also the last night of Nights On The Town, where various downtown eateries and bars offer pre-theater dining deals and discounts. I better get going or we'll be late for dinner.

4th of july weekend plans

As always, there are a ton of things to do over the holiday weekend. I don't think I have the energy (I wilt in the heat) or the time to do it all and there is an awful lot of good programming on the telly and radio this weekend, but it's good to have goals.

I mentioned in an earlier post that Firecracker is kicking off the weekend with a summer block party tonight. I'm feeling really lazy though, so maybe just a movie? There's a 21+ screening for The Devil Wears Prada at the Arclight. Jim and I were supposed to go to a screening on the Fox lot earlier this week for The Devil and I was bummed that we missed it, but I wonder if I'll have the energy to leave the block (or Jim's sofa) and do anything tonight.

Saturday morning, if I wake up early enough and it's not too hot, I might check out the free, once-a month drum circle at the Music Center Plaza, Drum Downtown. But it always seems like the kind of thing that I'd be interested in for about five minutes, then I'm bored and wondering why I even left an air-conditioned room. Chances are, we'll just head over to Pho Siam Thai Spa for yet another wonderful Thai massage. Jim and I started working out again this week and we promised ourselves if we were good and worked out every day for a week, we'd reward ourselves with a massage. I started going to Pho Siam when they were in Hollywood, but now that they've moved downtown, I think they'll be seeing more of me and Jim. Then if I'm not too exhausted from the heat of the day, we might check out Bootie, LA's monthly mashup bootleg party at The Echo (it's their one-year anniversary!).

Sunday night means it's the 4th of July edition of the loftmates and friends dinner at the penthouse. Tim is back from Virginia this Saturday and he's grilling up a storm. I'm making sangria (red and white) and haven't decided what to do about dessert yet. I don't think I'm going to make it to the gym on Monday morning.

Monday night, we'll be at a picnic, then checking out the concert and fireworks display at the Hollywood Bowl. I love the fireworks show at the Bowl, I've never been disappointed. The show is sold out and I just found out that the special guest for the evening is Kenny Loggins. Yeah, whatever. I think my favorite show was the year Charles Nelson Reilly was the special guest, now he was crazy.

Then for the big event (4th of July), we're headed over to a friend's house for some down-home pyrotechnical displays. I think they live in a city that allows fireworks, so we might stop by a stand and get a box of sparklers.

Whew, I'm exhausted just contemplating the possibilities this weekend. One of my readers, Dan Dupill (who heads up the Rare Books Dept at the Central Library), was nice enough to send me a link with info on taking pictures of fireworks. Thanks Dan, I need all the help I can get. Jim must think that as well, he sent me this link. I'm going to practice taking pictures of fireworks so that when Jim and I go back to Vancouver for the Celebration of Light, I'll be ready. Have a safe and happy 4th of July everybody!

unidentified flying kitty

I was driving south on the 5 freeway, and when I say driving I mean parked, when I saw an object hovering in the sky. Unlike most kooks who spot a UFO, I was lucky to have my camera in the car.



What does it all mean?

bits and pieces of the past week

Jim and I attended Grand Performances screening of An Inconvenient Truth last weekend. Jim thought leaving his place at 5:40pm for an 8pm screening was a little much. But we had a couple stops to make before trekking up 4th Street to California Plaza and I knew the place would be packed and that people would get there early (I was right). We stopped at the Old Bank Deli to pick up our sandwiches, then to Lost Souls for a yummy ube shake with coconut for me, otherwise known as the 5th and Spring shake, and a Nutta Budda with soymilk for Jim, otherwise known as the trainedmonkey shake. Actually, nobody but me calls an ube shake with coconut a 5th and Spring shake (same with the trainedmonkey shake), but I figured I'd plant that seed somewhere. I digress.

Highlights of the evening - Richie Sambora (introduced by Mayor Villaraigosa as "Richie, uh, Santora") and Jon Bon Jovi sang "Livin' On A Prayer", some new song I'm unfamiliar with, a chill cover of "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love & Understanding", and "Wanted Dead or Alive". Oh yeah, and Al Gore introduced the documentary. Good times.

We hit the Chinese Food Festival in Chinatown on Sunday. That was a big mistake. It was something like 300 degrees, which tends to cut down on my cravings for Chinese food. Thankfully, they were screening documentaries at the Grand Star, so we had a cold one in air-conditioned comfort when it got to be too much outside. It was obvious after watching the film for a few minutes that everyone else was in there for the same reason. BTW, if you're looking for something to do this weekend, Firecracker kicks off the 4th of July tonight at the Grand Star.

I was on my way to the gym earlier this week when I spotted several squad cars on Spring. About half of the officers were wearing vests that said "Parole" and they were handcuffing and arresting about six guys right outside of Charlie O's, the bar on the corner. I remembered that my phone takes lousy pictures, so I whipped it out and snapped this:



Then one of the officers whipped out his camera and took a picture of me taking pictures of them.



Then about four or five of the officers whipped out their cameras and started snapping away at me. Whatever. So I walked over, laughing, and one of the officers, Officer Cooper, told me that they were sweeping up a bunch of parole violators and that I would now be a lot safer in my neighborhood. I still don't understand why they whipped out their cameras to shoot me shooting them. Lame.

I met with bigshot producer and his crew on Tuesday, at their swanky offices in Beverly Hills. After a little pre-meeting banter, they said liked the script. What a relief, I was preparing for some harsh notes and lots of changes. Bigshot producer had a few questions and more notes, but basically they thought the script was 90% done. One producer said we're probably about two rewrites away from locking it down, but I'm hoping I can nail it on this next round. So my respite from this insane writing assignment was short-lived and I'm back to the grind. I am, however, taking time out this weekend to get a massage and eat a lot of barbecue. But not at the same venue. Wouldn't that be something though? To get a massage while you eat barbecue?

UPDATE: The Downtown News has a story on the Skid Row busts that targeted parole violators. The end of the article has a funny story about an incident at Pete's Cafe. How come nothing like that ever happens when I'm there?

search terms that brought you here

In no particular order and in no way complete:

voodoo curses
bobby short charlie
downtown Los Angeles
ye olde taco house
David Hasselhoff video
technology challenged
tomkat theater blog
hooked on a feeling video
millionaire Filipino restaurants in states
pictures of Spiderman
you say ozo
Schmucklerfest
Natalie Mains
asspig
Ben Stiller
midget on a wall
pet casting calls
Spiderman 3 shoot
February bank robbery California 2002
roller derby clothing
college party fifth
Julius Shulman
open container on JetBlue
Hollywood Sexcapades
homemade 4th of July centerpiece
Ozomatli, si se fue
neighborhood clothing

and my personal favorite, "fuck my girlfriend"

vancouver through my lens

We made a run for the Canadian border.


And this is the closest I got to a real Canadian Mountie.


This is the view from Stanley Park.


And another view, through the trees.


I really enjoyed Stanley Park, I wish we had one like it in Los Angeles (and don't talk to me about Griffiths Park). It was so pretty, very well maintained, huge, and with tons of activities. I didn't take many Patel shots, just stuff like this:


















As Jim mentioned on his blog, we enjoyed it so much we're considering going back in six weeks or so for an international fireworks festival, the Celebration of Light. Hopefully by then I will have figured out how to take pictures of fireworks displays that aren't crappy.

"zee money, yew have eet for mee"

Our second night in Vancouver, Jessica and Amy took us to dinner in Yaletown, which is a former industrial area in downtown transformed into one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the city. I couldn't help but feel that in about ten years, downtown Los Angeles is going to feel a lot like Yaletown. I can hardly wait, because I had a blast.

We had dinner at Capone's, this Italian restaurant with great live jazz. It was at the end of a row of restaurants, clubs and bars, on top of which were some great-looking lofts. The people, food, music, ambience - everything was wonderful, a really memorable experience. At one point Jim whispered to me, "I can't wait until they open a Capone's in our neighborhood." I'm crossing all my appendages.


Right after this picture was taken, we walked out, trying to figure out whether to stay in Yaletown or hit a club in Gastown. When all of a sudden, this panhandler comes up and talks to us with a really heavy French accent, I mean Clouseau-heavy. Hell, let's blogname his Clouseau. Anyway, Clouseau approached us and I didn't understand most of his rap because of the accent. He was pushing a fairly expensive bicycle and asking for money, that much I caught. But I guess he got tired of repeating himself because he was more than a little cranky, he was now just DEMANDING money.

He was going on about something and I'm not even going to try to write it out phonetically. So for maybe the fourth time I ask, "What? I don't understand a thing you're saying." He then said, "My Eeenglish, ees bad." To which Jim replied, "No your English is great, it's your panhandling skills that suck." Not to him, mind you, just me. And I'm a little tipsy. So of course I laugh, as I often do at all his jokes regardless of how funny they really are, and Clouseau LOSES IT. In French. Although he's absolutely livid, all I can think of is the Pink Panther and Clouseau saying, "Yew have for me, ze massage?" or, "Assbucket?" So I'm laughing and Jessica comes over with her leftovers and asks me, "Does he want food? Here, give it to him." So I hand him the leftovers and he pulls back his lips to show us his gums, and with his fingers in his mouth, screams, "I haf no teef... I het yew!" (Translation: I have no teeth... I hate you!)

I should've just offered him all the cash in my pocket if he would hoist Jim up on his shoulders like the Spiderman Midget did for Skip. Now that would've been a great vacation picture.

5th and spring, seattle

Last weekend, Jim and I spent some time in Seattle. Along with my brother Angel, we were on our way to meet other family members in Vancouver. We opted to fly into Seattle to see my cousin Lupe, and then drive to Vancouver.


(I forgot to take a picture of the Seattle Central Library here at 5th and Spring, designed by Rem Koolhaas. I suck.)

Lupe and her boyfriend Ciaran live a few blocks away from Seattle's 5th and Spring. I was afraid when she moved to Seattle that they would wind up in some soulless apartment mega-complex, but thankfully they live in a great, funky, historic, downtown neighborhood - plenty of restaurants and cafes to walk to, dangerously close to great shops and galleries, and her building is filled with artsy types, just like her and Ciaran. Look at Angel's pictures here. This is the view outside her windows.






And down the street.


We didn't have as much time to spend in Seattle since we were on our way to Vancouver. We managed to get in a few touristy things, though.



The town has a nice vibe, I liked it more than I thought I would. We'll be back.

relieved times infinity

It's done. I finished the screenplay this morning, sent it off, talked to the development exec right before she left for lunch, and she's "very excited". Me? I don't possess the vocabulary to explain just how I feel. Relieved is a huge understatement. Sure, there will be re-writes (bigshot producer told me to expect six, tops), but nothing as major as six weeks to write an original screenplay. BTW, I never want to hear or read another word about the South during Reconstruction. Screw socially-conscious period dramas, I need to write my "Asian Pie" screenplay and laugh all the way to the bank.

So what does this mean? It means I am back among the living again. Last night Jim and I caught a screening of Chinatown, one of my all-time fave films, at the Orpheum, part of the LA Conservancy's Last Remaining Seats. We missed A Star Is Born because Jim didn't think I'd want to go, so he didn't get tickets. When I found out that was the film we missed, I fainted. Just kidding. I did faint, but that was for a different reason and, trust me, that story deserves its own blog entry.

Tonight, I'm going to blow off some steam at my favorite downtown supersecretlatenighthangout. Couldn't make it last week as I was in Seattle and Vancouver. But that's also for another blog entry. So we roll tonight, to the guitar bite... and for those of you who know of it and where it is, come on out and blow off steam with me! I'll probably head over around 10:30pm or so.

Last night, walking home from the Orpheum, we ran into my loftmate Lucas. He was occupying the corner table on the patio of Pete's - the table usually occupied by Kristin. BTW, has anyone seen Kristin lately? That's three nights that I didn't see her at her usual table. Anyway, I digress. A few tables away was a dear friend who we'll blogname Charo. Charo is a Higginite (resident of the Higgins building) and one of those cute, fun, unpretentious downtown chicks I love hanging out with. She was having drinks on the patio with these guys, and she asked where I'd been hiding. Then she dropped the line I'd been dreading, "You get engaged and now we never see you." Aaargh. Don't blame Jim, it's me, all me and that whole writing career thing. Hey, did you see that Super Lotto is up to $82 million?

overheard in downtown los angeles

Almost invariably it happens - Jim and I walk home down 4th Street late at night and someone from the bridge and tunnel crowd drives down the street cautiously. They spot us, a window rolls down just enough for someone to yell out the window, "Hey, where's Bar 107?" We're both tempted to give them wrong directions even though they're about 25 feet away from the door, a guy standing at the door checking ID, a big backlit sign, and a crowd of smokers taking a ciggie break.

Because my parents raised me to be polite (for the most part), I give directions, "Yeah, just go down this street about 24, maybe 25 feet and it's on your left side, right above that sign." BTW, no on has ever said "thank you".

Actually, I'll them whatever they want to know as long as they don't complain that 1) it's dirty and smelly, 2) that the homeless always hit them up for change, and 3) that there's no parking (even though there's plenty of street parking and a huge lot a half block away). I mean, for chrissake, you're in downtown Los Angeles, not the freakin' Promenade.

The other night around 11:30pm, Jim and I were walking home down 4th Street, as we always do, when a group of scenesters walk towards us. Just as they passed by, one guy says to his group, "Let's just go back to the westside."

Yes, please do go back. Because the westside is magical. Maybe you and your Expedition or Escalade can find TV parking or you'll cough up $20 for valet. And you'll only get hit up for change by stranded couple who "just ran out of gas and need to get home to the Valley" rather than a crackhead, and everyone's farts smell like oranges.

losanjealous recently reviewed Bar 107 and I couldn't help but tell them what I thought of the place.

eh, take off... you hoser

Jim and I are going to be in Seattle and Vancouver for a few days (a family thing). Except for the strip clubs and coffehouses in Vancouver, we don't know what to do or where to go. Any suggestions?

the bad girls club

I don't know any bad girls, at least not anymore. Not even when I look in the mirror.

Casting Call: Oxygen will introduce a new original series The Bad Girls Club this December. The show is a docu-soap that follows a group of "bad girls" who all live together in L.A. and in order to be in the club they must pledge to help each other change their devilish ways. If you are a bad girl and would like to be in the club, the producers Bunim-Murray Productions are holding open casting calls in June across the country. Submit a brief description to badgirls@bunim-murray.com or call 1-800-683-8832. More information is available at: www.bunim-murray.com.

busy week

Despite my deadlines, I've managed to get out and actually see and do things. Unfortunately, I haven't been very good about blogging about any of it.

This past Saturday Jim and I were on the LA Observed Night on The MONA Neon Cruise, the first one of the season. It was a first time for MONA and the cruise for both me and Jim, but I loved both and know I'll be back. There was a reception beforehand to help celebrate LA Observed's third anniversary. It was so nice to see Kevin and chat again. Eric Lynxwiler, who conducts the Neon Cruise, gave us a little museum tour. Eric said he was a little rusty, since he hadn't given a tour since last year, but he had no need for worry. I had such a good time on the tour and highly recommend it to Angelenos and tourists alike. I have to warn you though, Eric plays a little blue. At one point (I think it was when we were going past the TomKat Theatre in WeHo), Eric was reeling off a list of recent porn titles. Good times. I think my favorite part of the evening was when Eric was mid-spiel, and someone yelled out, "Trees!" Eric ducked, the trees brushed the tops of the open-air double-decker bus we were on, Eric popped back up and kept on talking without skipping a beat. Jim blogged about it and took a bunch of pictures, which I hope he puts up soon. I haven't had a chance to download mine from my camera, but soon, I promise. But make plans to take the tour this summer - they're every Saturday night and our tour was sold out.

Sunday was another loftmates and friends dinner at the penthouse. Unfortunately, I didn't hear my phone ringing during dinner and a crowd of guests were stranded below, unable to access the penthouse. I checked my phone after dinner, around 10pm and was horrified to hear Catherine's voicemail saying that everyone was downstairs wondering how to get up. Yikes. I called them back, apologizing profusely. Andy answered and was really cool about it all. They invited us over, they were screening Brokeback Mountain at Adam's penthouse at 11pm. Unfortunately, I was beat. The heat was really getting to me and I had a screenplay to rewrite, so we didn't make it.

Tuesday night, Jim and I were listening to Dr. Ross speak about "What's Wrong With Philanthropy in LA?" at the Central Library. At the reception afterwards, I ran into someone I hadn't seen in a long time, Marie Condron, one of the co-founders of NewDowntown. Marie and her then-boyfriend-now-husband Ian moved downtown into the Santa Fe Building after attending one of the infamous penthouse loft parties from back in the day (scroll down to the last three paragraphs) and we've fallen out of touch in the last few years. We caught up a little over free food and beer at the reception. It was a beautiful election night, so after the reception, Jim and I walked over to the Bonaventure Hotel to check out the action. We only got as far as two trays of beer samples at the Bonaventure Brewing Co. But it was a nice night and I like walking home late at night, you really feel like a part of the city.

Yesterday, I returned an overdue book and we picked up some produce from the farmer's market. Then last night, we returned to the Central Library for yet another lecture series, this one was Don Lutz reading from his book, Doing Nothing: A History of Loafers, Loungers, Slackers, and Bums in America. I was thisclose to punking out and not attending, mainly because I wanted to go with my loftmate Lucas to the Greek (his assignment was to take pictures of Ashlee Simpson's new nose), but even that sounded like it would take too much effort. I did manage to get in a lot of work on the screenplay, so despite my slackerdom and because of my fear of it, we attended Don Lutz's reading and I'm so glad for it. See, I don't just party my way through downtown.

So I guess I'm not that much of a slacker. We walked home again and ran into Kitty and Jeremy getting their drunk on at Pete's Cafe. Jeremy was part of the group that didn't make it up to the penthouse for dinner on Sunday night, so I apologized profusely again. I gave Kitty a hard time about not finishing her novel, she said something about me pretending to be cultured, going to lectures at the library and shit, then we called each other whores, air-kissed and made up, then made plans to call each other to make plans for the weekend.

Today, I'm missing another Downtown Artwalk. I look outside the window and see all sorts of people gallery-hopping and I did want to check out the newly re-opened bank. But my cousins are in town from Hawaii, my godfather and aunt are in town from Guam, and we're all having dinner at my parent's house tonight. So tonight I also get to miss the Cross Cultural Film Festival at my favorite Filipino-owned and operated downtown cafe, Lost Souls, the wine tasting at my favorite Italian wine and coffee bar, Banquette, as well as the competing mini-grand opening at 626 Reserve (even though they actually opened a month ago.

Tomorrow, I knuckle down and really dig into this rewrite. Or I go to Disneyland with my cousins and Jim. I don't know yet. I'm on the fence.

Saturday, we're hitting the Franklin Avenue 100th Rate a Restaurant shindig at Cole's, maybe the annual Schmucklerfest, and hopefully MOCA's Night Vision so I can see Teka do her spoken word thing. If you haven't ever seen Teka, I urge you to do so (she's on at 9:30pm), she's very talented and entertaining. I met her a few years ago at a Poetry Soup in Carlye's house and I've been a fan ever since. Jim and I ran into her on the downtown artwalk last month, I was really surprised that she remembered me, but then again, she was surprised I remembered her.

I better get going if I'm going to be only a little bit late for dinner.

just breathe in and look up

Jim's family usually stays at the Bonaventure when they're in town. This shot is right after our "meet the in-laws" brunch, the morning of our engagement party.

go dutch tonight

Looking for something to do tonight? Get over to the Natural History Museum for their First Fridays Series, specifically Conversations Los Angeles Leiden: Nature and the City, a collaboratie exhibit between a group of Los Angeles artists and the Naturalis Museum in The Netherlands.

I have to admit, at first it sounded a little ambitious for the end of a difficult week. But this is the final First Friday of the season and the last chance to explore Sonic Scenery or the Mysterious Bog People after hours. I guess I could sit around and listen to what Ed Moses, Michael C. McMillen, and John Outterbridge (some of the artists participating) have to say about it all. That won't take too much out of me. Afterwards, Jon Hassel will perform his sonic sculpture, Solid State. I have no idea what a sonic sculpture is, but I have a feeling it goes really well with alcohol.

I haven't seen the Bog People exhibit yet. Jim and I checked out Sonic Scenery: Music for Collections when it first opened. I got a video iPod for Christmas (thanks again, Angel!) and had only been using it for going to the gym, but it came in handy for the music accompanying the exhibit. Nice tunes. I better make sure it's full of juice before we go.

June 2, 2006, 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
CONVERSATIONS: LOS ANGELES LEIDEN:
Nature and the City
· Admission $15, Museum members and students (w/ ID) $12.
· Tickets at www.ticketweb.com or by phone at (866) 468-3399.
· Located at 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007. Get directions.
· Public parking lot available on Menlo Avenue across from the Museum.
· Please enter the Museum from the South entrance closest to parking.
· For more information e-mail performances(at)nhm.org or call (213) 763–DINO.

hope for firefighters

Jim and I will be eating our way through Hope Street today, thanks to Hope for Firefighters 2006 - the largest annual firefighter's appreciation event in the country. Benefitting the Los Angeles Firemen's Relief Association Widows & Orphans Fund, teams from local businesses will compete in various firefighter games, and most importantly - present a variety of food booths featuring a taste of the firehouse prepared and served by the firefighters themselves. Oh yeah, we are going to chow down.

I went last year and I don't remember much, just that I woke up with barbecue sauce on my chin.

dinner and a movie - last remaining seats

I just looked at my calendar and realized not only that summer is here, but that I've scheduled myself tightly.

Tonight Jim and I will be joining the L.A. Conservancy as they celebrate two decades of presenting classic films and live entertainment in the historic movie palaces of Los Angeles. The Last Remaining Seats will take up a few of our Wednesdays this summer (May 31 - July 5) as they're focusing on classic films that feature Los Angeles. Among others, the lineup includes "A Star Is Born" (1950), "Rebel Without a Cause" (1955), Chinatown (1974) and "The Mark of Zorro" (1940), which opens the series at the Los Angeles Theater.

It's a good thing that we got our tickets early, a few of the nights have already sold out. If they're still available, tickets are $18 ($15 for Conservancy members), though remaining tickets on the night of the event go for $20 (cash or check only) at the door.

Now the only thing left is to decide is where to dine before catching a show. Thankfully, a handful of downtown dining establishments are participating in "Nights on the Town", offering specials for theater-goers and anyone else dining downtown on Wednesday nights from May 31st to July 5th. Most of my downtown favorites are participating - Banquette, Pete's, Lost Souls Cafe, Rocket Pizza, Warung, Pitfire Pizza, and Restaurant Ensenada (one of downtown's best unsung), but I'm really looking forward to trying Cicada (4 course dinner for $50!). I used to go to Rex Il Ristorante back when they occupied the space Cicada is in now, so it'll be a nice trip in the time machine. There are a couple of other new places I want to try, 626 Reserve on Spring, and I hear there's a new Filipino restaurant on Spring called Asian Noodles (although they're not participating). Jim will have to make the call since I'm paralyzed by indecision.

I noticed the Series Star Sponsors at the bottom of their website - John and Donna Crean. Years ago I was at a party at the Orange County home of John and Donna. And when I say home, what I really mean is palatial estate. The party was a fundraiser to benefit Alzheimer's research and you couldn't swing a dead cat over your head without hitting a millionaire. They raised a lot of money that night and I know that night wasn't an aberration. Thank Buddha for the Creans and others like them, and all the good they do.

sunday night dinner at the penthouse

Loftmate Lucas celebrated a birthday a little while ago and we had a special Sunday night loftmates and friends dinner for him.

This is the view looking into the penthouse from our roof.


Tim loves to grill meat and is a wonderful cook. This is most of the dinner party, enjoying dessert.


I don't know who gave him the candy underwear, but I think it was Lucas' favorite present.


I loved Jim's reaction to the candy underwear.



After dinner, we gathered for drinks in our living room and checked out the downtown skyline.


Someone is enjoying the view from outside, on our roof.


Here's loftmate Tim and his girlfriend Bethany enjoying a laugh and a tender moment on the roof.


Skip and Lucas share a laugh and a tender moment.


That's all I have from that night, but I'm sure with summer here, there will be more Sunday night dinners, more pictures and more laughs to come.

i sometimes blog elsewhere

I posted something to LA Voice the other day about a few upcoming events in downtown Los Angeles this summer. It got a couple of anonymous comments about how awful downtown Los Angeles is. Jim suggested I just shrug it off and not comment. So of course I did. I'll never learn.

house m.d. at the penthouse

A while ago the cast and crew of House, M.D. shot segments of a two-part episode in the living room, kitchen, bathroom and ledge of the penthouse. Jim posted a screenshot of the episode on his blog and here, finally, are the shots I took.

This is the hallway after the anteroom/entrance to the penthouse. They used it to hold some of the air conditioning equipment needed to cool the place down while shooting.



They painted this awful green color that really pops on television, but looks awful in daylight. This is the entrance to the main set, our living room.



For the episode, the penthouse was transformed into a filthy cop's apartment. This is one of the bathrooms, with the addition of a fake sink and toilet and painted to look like a moldy bathroom.



This is the kitchen, transformed into a nightmare.



Two shots of the living room, taken from opposite ends. They wanted to use my bar for the set, so they slipped me some paper and here it is below.





The roof was jammed with all sorts of equipment.




Nice view, don't you think? I'll be posting more pics of the penthouse during one of our Sunday night loftmates and friends dinner. That way you can see how we really live, and not the television version of the penthouse.

place your bets on the sale of the alexandria hotel

A while back there was a lively meeting for all the tenants of the Alexandria re the proposed sale to the Amerland Group and what it would mean for all the tenants. It has been very quiet since then. A while ago (a few weeks or a month, maybe? I can't keep track anymore), there were a round of inspections by the City (don't know which city agency, I heard this through the hotel grapevine), which the Alexandria Hotel failed. So the sale didn't go through as planned, though I don't know whether that means they just have to clear the next round of inspections before the sale can go through, or if the Amerland Group realized it would cost too much to make all the necessary repairs/changes to clear inspection.

I haven't seen hotel staff doing anything other than the usual maintenance, so I figured Amerland realized there was more going on with the Alexandria than they bargained for, and that the sale was off. Then yesterday, I was walking past Pete's when I saw the Amerland guys outside on the patio around 2:45pm, just like they used to do before they announced they wanted to buy the Alexandria. I considered going back and chatting them up, but I needed a nap.

Don Garza finally noticed my blog post from back in March (way to stay on top of downtown happenings, Don!). So if any of you read Don's blog, don't mention it to him yet - let's see how long it takes him to notice this post. We can set up a betting pool - pick a day and if Don blogs about it on the day you pick, the winner and a guest gets to come to a penthouse loftmates and friends Sunday night dinner*. And if you want to wager on the sale of the Alexandria, you can also pick a day when you think the sale will go through - the person who picks the date closest to the completion of the sale gets to bring his/her date to dinner, too**. So step right up, place your bets in the comments section and let me know what you want for dessert.

*Don Garza is ineligible to play.
**Friends and employees of the Amerland Group, employees of the Alexandria Hotel, and the involved city agencies are ineligible to play.

david hasselhoff's "hooked on a feeling" video

The. Best. Thing. Ever.



(Thanks to Mike at Franklin Avenue!)

cross that off my list

I turned in my screenplay on Monday afternoon. I got off the phone with the prodco's head of development (let's blogname her my new BFF, best friend forever), bathed in relief - they wanted to meet in a week or so to discuss my next writing project. A whole week to goof off, kinda. Woo hoo!

Jim and I went to Paramount Studios that night for a Mission Impossible 3 screening/Q&A with writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. These guys wrote for a few of my all-time favorite shows, Xena, Hercules, the first two seasons of Alias, and they are writing the highly anticipated (by me, anyway), Star Trek XI. I completely forgot that my new BFF would also be at the screening, until she called and asked me to save seats for her and "Tito", a legal and biz affairs guy from Fox. The screening was packed to capacity. At one point, a crowd of hostile people surrounded me and Jim, ready to beat us up for the only two seats available in the theater. Since everything hinges on whether or not my new BFF likes my script, I was ready to kill anyone who approached the two saved seats. When I was a talent manager, I was often referred to as a "baby-eater", which was ridiculous - I've never eaten a baby. But I would eat a baby if that meant my new BFF would give my script a thumb's up.

Thankfully, she didn't want to chat much. Tito congratulated me and Jim on our engagement, then it was air-kisses, a "let's have lunch this week, call me" and they were gone. I like to delude myself into thinking that she rushed home to read my script instead of watching whatever season finale was on that night.

I slept most of Tuesday. I had all these plans for things that I would do with my week off - do laundry, write a few restaurant reviews, blog about everything that I haven't had time to blog about in the last six weeks, re-pot an orchid, get a Thai massage at Pho Siam, organize my shoes/handbags/clothes/script library/CD collection, write thank you notes, drop off dry cleaning, get my car washed, call my trainer/go back to the gym, shop for a wedding gown, etc. But all I've been able to do is sleep. I had another screening tonight, but I cancelled. Sleep sounds so much more appealing to me. The danger is very real that I just might sleep through the week instead.

engagement party wrap-up, part one

I didn't take any pictures of the engagement party, but everybody else sure did. However, I haven't received any of them yet. As soon as I do, I'll throw them online here or somewhere.

I was in a really bad mood Saturday afternoon. The elevator got stuck on the penthouse level, with everyone on the first floor unable to get upstair and me, all alone in the penthouse, with a wrenched arm and twenty minutes behind schedule. It all worked out, they got the elevator to work again but Jim and I ended up being very late to our engagement party.

One of my bridesmaids, Elizabeth, came over to tart me up. Although she was late, Elizabeth managed to calm me down. Her husband, Jason, was also a big help. He made Jim a drink while he was getting ready (he looked a little nervous, too) and helped Jim with that whole square in the pocket and making sure all tags are off his clothes thing. (Thank you Lizzie and Jason!)

The four of us finally left Jim's place about 40 minutes after our party had started and walked hurriedly down Main Street to Adam's Penthouse on Los Angeles Street. As we approached the corner of 5th and Main, we hear guys yelling and see some sort of physical altercation happening right in front of the Bert Green Fine Art Gallery. It was a drug bust. Elizabeth and her husband don't live downtown, so I check their expressions to see how they're doing. I suggest a left onto 5th rather than continuing on Main and everyone agrees.

Now this is the best part - we turn and aren't even halfway down the block to Los Angeles Street when we hear a gospel choir singing. A few steps further and we see - a gospel choir singing on the sidewalk. Knowing how much I love gospel choirs and that the screenplay I'm working on right now involves a gospel choir, I look to Jim and wonder - did he arrange this?

With a big smile on his face, Jim says, "That is so random." Okay, he's not responsible. I think I like it better that he didn't arrange for it.

Walking down Los Angeles Street to our party, Jim and I just looked at each other and both said, "I love our neighborhood."

Pictures and an explanation of why Cousin Angel had hickies all over his face and neck to come in the next few days.

freaking out a little bit

I'm so excited about my engagement party tonight. Jim and I were at Adam's the other night when they delivered the set-up and I thought I was going to jump up and down like a little kid. My aunts from Hawaii arrived Thursday night, Jim's parents arrived last night and Cousin Angel's flight from Chicago comes in this morning while we're all at the "meet the in-laws" brunch. I don't know why I'm a little anxious about that. Although my parents are O.G. and old country, I'm sure they're not considering how to bring live chickens and a pig along as some symbolic offering or dowry or something. Yeah, I'm trying not to think about it.

Jim thinks we may have overestimated our guests and ordered way too much food and booze. I'm not familiar with that concept - too much food and booze? What does that look like? I've heard of it but I don't think I've ever seen that.

Our original plans for entertainment fell through earlier this week, but we lucked out and were able to get this amazing singer, Hope, to perform a little mini-concert at the party. She's signed to Atlantic Records and is actually recording her album with Trevor Horn in London, but is here on a short break and was available. Hope played the Viper Room earlier this week, did anyone catch her set?

Thankfully my dear friend and music industry mentor, Violet Brown hooked us up with Hope. Yes, that Violet Brown. I've mentioned her several times to Jim, but only referred to her by her first name. When I told him who was helping out with entertainment, Jim tapped out something on his keyboard and pulled up iTunes and the Eminem track where Steve Berman of Interscope says Violet Brown told him to go fuck himself because his record is a piece of shit and asked, "That Violet Brown?" Yes baby, that's her.

I'm trying to relax and not get freaked out, but the karaoke machine we ordered still hasn't arrived. And I'm not wild about what I'm wearing tonight. I don't want to start listing the things that might cause me to freak out, but I think those two things are enough to send me sprialing out of control. I think I'll stop writing now and go eat some ube ice cream.

battle of the wedding singers

Jim and I were discussing whether or not to have two professional wedding singers battle it out at our wedding reception and have the whole thing "immortalized on national TV". Sure we'd get an appearance fee, have our wedding music arranged and paid for by the show and receive a wedding video. But then we realized that we probably wouldn't like the wedding music or the singers, let alone having it "immortalized on national TV". And if I weren't so stressed out from having to deal with our engagement party this weekend and finishing this screenplay so I can start on my next screenwriting assignment while planning our wedding, I probably wouldnt've even considered it. Did I mention that I threw my first wedding/engagement hissy fit yesterday? Yeah. It was bad. Jim locked himself in the bathroom. In any case, if you're interested or know someone who is, here's the info:

Casting Call: A new TV show, Battle of the Wedding Singers on GSN produced by New Line Television, is looking for couples getting married who would be willing to have two professional wedding singers battle it out at their real-life reception. The wedding guests at each reception will judge which singer is the best. Each participating couple will receive an appearance fee, have their wedding music arranged and paid for by the show and receive a wedding video. If you want to immortalize your wedding on national TV send the following information: your name and your fiance's; the location of your wedding (note: they are shooting in Southern California only); the date of your wedding (May to July dates preferred); photos and bio info on you and your finance. Email this info to: Singers4Weddings@hotmail.com.

pet casting call

Jim and I are looking for a dog. Specifically, we're looking for a black french bulldog. We aren't in any rush, just keeping an eye out. Then I saw that Old Navy is looking for a new spokesdog. I don't know if our future spoiled puppy is "mascot mutt--erial", but I'm urging my friends with dogs to enter their pups:

Pet Casting Call: A nationwide search is happening now through May 29 for a new “spokesdog” for Old Navy stores. In the late 90s, Old Navy featured its beloved pooch, Magic, and now they want to find a new Magic to star in their holiday 2006 advertising campaign and make history. U.S. and Canadian dog owners can enter photos of their dogs and a personality profile at www.oldnavy.com/magic or attend one of four casting call events in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and New York City. Then a panel of celebrity judges including Katherine Heigl (Grey’s Anatomy), Alfre Woodard (Desperate Housewives), Malcolm David Kelley (Lost), Kristin Chenoweth (The West Wing and RV), Betty White (The Golden Girls) and dog trainer Andrea Arden will select six dog finalists who will be showcased in more than 950 Old Navy stores. From June 23 through July 7, people can vote for their favorite dog star.

Did I mention that I'm a dog-whisperer?

casting gadget junkies

I don't think I'm a gadget junkie anymore. I don't know where my Blackberry is, I don't miss my Palm Treo (not really), and I don't fetishize my cell phone anymore. I already have a video iPod, which I really dig but don't use all that much. One of my loftmates has a handheld GPS system and I thought it hilarius that he was testing it out by walking around the penthouse. Hmmm, he'd actually be a good person for this casting call. If you or anyone you know wants a video iPod, send them your story:

Casting Call: AOL's new digital lifestyle channel is seeking gadget junkies - people who acknowledge they are immersed in technology and that it has changed their lives. The webseries would like to document real men and women 18+. If your story is selected, you'll receive a video iPod. Submit your story, name and phone number by May 12 via email to: staceecasting@aol.com or call 818-288-4800.

mexico to allow use of drugs

Did anyone else catch this story in the LA Times? This is mindblowing - Mexico will soon pass a bill that would legalize the use of many drugs and narcotics sold by the Mexican cartels.

The list of illegal drugs approved for personal consumption by Mexico's Congress last week is enough to make one dizzy — or worse.

Cocaine. Heroin. LSD. Marijuana. PCP. Opium. Synthetic opiates. Mescaline. Peyote. Psilocybin mushrooms. Amphetamines. Methamphetamines.

And the per-person amounts approved for possession by anyone 18 or older could easily turn any college party into an all-nighter: half a gram of coke, a couple of Ecstasy pills, several doses of LSD, a few marijuana joints, a spoonful of heroin, 5 grams of opium and more than 2 pounds of peyote, the hallucinogenic cactus.

The law would be among the most permissive in the world, putting Mexico in the company of the Netherlands.

Forget Amsterdam, let's go to Huatulco.

monday march

I took part of the day off from writing to participate in the May 1 March in downtown Los Angeles. Adam, good friend and event planner extraordinaire, wanted to join me, Jim, and my Reuters photographer loftmate, Lucas. Unfortunately, Lucas was kicked off the roof of the building next door to the penthouse, so he lost that great vantage point from which to shoot. But he still managed to rock hard, take a look at this picture.

As I'm sure you've all read, Monday's march wasn't as large as Gran Marcha. But 300,000 is nothing to sneeze at, especially the day after Fiesta Broadway. Since I'm so short, I could barely see above the crowd. And although being with two really tall guys means they're constantly blocking my view, sometimes, they do come in handy. Like when I need a picture taken from a higher vantage point.



I didn't take as many pictures as Jim, but I managed to get a few good ones. This one of Adam is one of my favorites. He's waving both an American and a Scottish flag as we walked down Broadway.



Even deer were protesting.





There were novel uses for the flag.



And some very interesting signs.


"Bush is the criminal"

"Arnold says, 'It is just unfair to have all those people coming across and have the border open the way it is...' Schwarzenegger, Son of a Nazi"





After it was all over downtown, I took these pictures of the crowd dispersing after the march from Jim's window.





Now I need to get back to work.

a quiet sunday

My brunch meeting on Sunday with the producers went really well. I think. Even though they had a ton of notes and it ran over an hour, they said they really liked what I had turned in. One producer, who I had never met prior, whipped off his sunglasses upon meeting me, peered very closely at my face and said, "Oh, you're so young. I was expecting someone older, more seasoned." He got that from reading my script? Then he looked again, and more closely. "You haven't had any work done," he said accusingly. I didn't know what else to say, so I said, "Stri-Vectin." He nodded knowingly, "Ah, yes." This is the pre-meeting banter? I'm just glad I didn't have to talk sports. The rest of the meeting went as anticipated, no big surprises, no criticism unfounded, all very constructive stuff.

Then the same producer started talking about a project he's producing and said that I was "the perfect person to write the screenplay" and would I be interested? I played it cool. "Absolutely", I said, "but let's concentrate on getting this project made first," indicating the script on the table. We agreed to set up a meeting no more than a week after I turn in the next draft. At the end of the meeting, I held my hand out to that producer and he said, "I'm going to hug you because we're going to be working together on my pet project." After he hugged me, he asked, "Do you like my cologne? It's new."

When I returned downtown, Fiesta Broadway was in full swing. Walking through Broadway on the way back to Jim's pad from the subway stop after that meeting was so surreal. Which one was my reality? Both? How did that happen again?

I don't remember the rest of the day, just that I took another day off from writing. Jim and I went to a benefit concert at Mr. T's bowl, featuring Emm't Swank and The Monolators. Jim's friend Marcus is the drummer for Swank and I was going to finally meet him and his wife, Sylvia. But I'm also friends with Mary, drummer for The Monolators, who I hadn't seen in forever. So we killed a few birds with one stone that night. As if that weren't enough, on our way in to Mr. T's, we ran into my dear friends Reena and Matt, also good friends of The Monolators and Emm't Swank. It was a bit like a reunion of old friends, rather than a meeting of new ones, which was nice. I even ran into an old client, someone who worked at KingWorld when I worked on the Hollywood Squares. Good times.

On days like Sunday, Los Angeles seems like such a small town.