011

I read this yesterday:
Listen to the Locust: 'It ain't what it used to be' and other myths of L.A., by John Powers. I posted it for all of my friends who make fun of L.A., which is most of them, because I love this city. And it's a good read!

010

Please read this: Judge Mooney on BET!.

Thank you. This sounds like a great idea.

There are casting call advertisements on Facebook and Craigslist as well.

009

I read this article yesterday afternoon by Los Angeles Times staff writer Alana Semuels:
Preacher sues '20/20,' alleging defamation.

Defamation is one thing. And 20/20 should have had more sense than to think that a preacher would actually brag to his congregation that he lives in a 25-room mansion, owns a $6-million yacht, and has his own private jet, helicopter, and seven luxury cars, but I wasn't there when they did their research.

This, however, is ridiculous:
On Sunday, Angela Evans, one of Price's daughters and the president of the church, said in a speech during the regular service that the program was "dishonest, defamatory and simply filled with blatant lies," and that her father "feels like he's been raped." She received a standing ovation.

Is "raped" really the best analogy here? It sounds like Reverend Price was made to look like an extravagant asshole, not the victim of a hateful act of sexual violence. Looking like a douchebag to 7.5 million viewers is not the same kind of shame.

008

This discussion thread about the Prada store in Beverly Hills was entertaining: http://www.archinect.com/forum/threads.php?id=51632_0_42_0_C.

The displays on the staircases do seem fun to me. Before our attic was [supposedly] finished, we used to store things like that in the closet of steps in my room when I was little.

I think the buildings on Rodeo Drive are, for the most part, sleek and industrial-looking and nice, and sometimes interesting, but I've never felt impressed by Rodeo. I really don't like Beverly Hills in general. It's like an emotional vacuum. I think all the elements of the stores and restaurants work against each other so that the vibe of the area is just kinda...blank. Or maybe it's the people, busy or stressed or old and botoxed.

Maybe it is different at night, vibrant and alive. But I worked in Beverly Hills 40 hours per week last summer and am currently temping there part-time, and there is still something completely mediocre about it for me. And I know about mediocrity; I am from Ohio [and I love Ohio].



I do like Machos Tacos (1670 N. Vermont Ave.) in Los Feliz. Here is a funny review of it:
http://www.lataco.com/taco/machos-tacos-los-feliz. I didn't have to wait that long the three times I have gone there, which were in the mid- to late- afternoon, and I never ate in the garden area, only on the car wash side.

And to me, its name and location next to a car wash are fucking great.

007

It's that time of the month...I needed a haircut. And because I'm somewhat vain, I'm going to write about it.

The last time I had one, I lived in Ohio, so it was a little more than a month ago. I actually researched some over the past week or so, reading the forums at Style.com and looking at the Supercuts web site.

I never thought I would want to look like Harry Potter, but Daniel Radcliffe's hairstyle on the cover of the August 2007 issue of Details is what I try to do. Click here for the article.

So I went to the Supercuts near my apartment [where I still don't live yet], and it was quick, simple, and the women were very friendly. It only cost me $20 including tip.

006

I recently went to the MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) store in Santa Monica and saw a black and white postcard of the Hollywood sign and absolutely fell in love with it, as much as you can with a photograph, anyway. Charlie Bidwell has also photographed other famous places, like the Statue of Liberty and Park Avenue, and signs [in color] from many recognizable brands. The postcards are sort of oddly priced, with 5 cards with envelope for $10, 10 for $35, and 20 for $60, but they're worth it. I paid $5 for one and don't regret it. I sent it to my parents.

Also during that trip to the MOCA store, I bought "Catholic pills" and mailed them to my brothers. I can't remember the other fake pills exactly, but I think one of them was "Is your son gay?" I didn't see any of these things during my last trip to Santa Monica.

And I had no idea public nudity was still legal in the United States: Vermont town considers banning nudity...I had more to say, but it was just gross.

005

I just watched The Last Kiss. Yesterday, I read an article by Ian Daly entitled "The New Infidelity." And all of that was pretty devastating.

But, I definitely recommend The Last Kiss. It is very well written, so well shot (I love the colors and settings), and Jacinda Barrett and Casey Affleck are particularly amazing. When I was ten years old and watched The Real World: London, Jacinda Barrett was my favorite cast member.

I am a terrible writer of reviews.

I also really want to see The Namesake, because I love that book.

004

The pope is a true asshole: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6289014.stm.

Not only are other Christians told they are inferior to Catholics, but what message does this send to Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and everyone else?

I don't remember there ever being an agnostic version of the Crusades. Please enlighten me if I am mistaken.

003

I finished Autobiography of Red, a novel in verse by Anne Carson, which was one of the strangest books I have read. But I'm really glad I read it, on James' suggestion. I see what is so appealing about it. Anne Carson's metaphors and use of language is brilliant at times. She pulls from the irrational and turns it clear and back and forth. The irrational becomes vivid, and the concrete becomes mystical. And of course the way she adapted the myth was really fun.

002

This is absurd/wrong. The poverty gap in Russia seems more shocking than ours.

Speaking of absurd and wrong, Bush basically told America to go fuck themselves [again!] with the commuting of Scooter Libby's sentence, whatever that exactly
means. Apparently outing a CIA operative is no longer a criminal offense.

001

Sometimes GQ and Details seem to push things that aren't necessary. This is not one of those times.

Tailor-made suits are great, but I'm not wealthy enough to afford those right now. Tailor-made closets might be expensive, too, but California Closets makes something that really is necessary, functional, everyday. And beautiful.

They offer variety, customization based on your needs, and a sleek, clean look. Minimalists don't need a closet with space for 100 shirts; Space for 20 might do it, or 10. A small stack of my recent reads would be lovely there, too; Mark Doty and Louise Gluck look out of place just left on a side table, and I don't want to dig through the clusterfuck in my bag to find them, either.

It's always nice to find function, style, and space working perfectly together.