Fire Season

Had a fabulous time in NYC! Thanks to Alex & Mike for hosting me and to Colin & Rebecca for making the trek north from DC--it was great to see you all!
The weekend was completely action-packed: the Brooklyn Museum, 3 Tribeca screenings, Prospect Park, The Upright Citizens Brigade, countless drinks, many meals (including hot-dog off the street--yummy!) and Spring Awakening, which was amazing and that's coming from someone who is not a fan of musical theater. In retrospect it seems like too much to fit into 5 days, but we managed (of course, there was no time for pilgrimage to MoMA--boo). I didn't even notice that I missed the opening weekend of Spiderman 3--maybe I can catch it next weekend...but I think 28 Weeks Later is opening.
Flew back last night just in time to enjoy the heat wave and the fires that even now are irritating my eyes and promise to turn my commute into sheer torture--woot. I already miss the Subway. Though I am glad to be back in my spacious dump in the Valley, listening to KCRW and hanging with the coolest karaoke/kickball crew this side of the Rockies. All my east-coast buds are welcome to partake of those benefits as well as the futon in my living room.

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Um, yeah, you could say I've been having too much fun, except I ain't never had too much fun! So Tuesday I went to this industry thing, and finally got to see Metal Skool (because midnight on a Monday is past my bedtime, apparently). Afterwards I eventually made my way to another karaoke Tuesday (though technically I didn't arrive til Wednesday) @ Guy's North, which is fortunately very near my place. Unfortunately, I was painfully hung-over on Wednesday (word to the wise, don't end your night with a "bay breeze," that's all I'm sayin'), only to come home and discover the hot water was out in the whole building. Meaning my only option was to wake up early on Thursday and go to the gym, where I hoped the water heater would be working. Finally made it to The Dive on Highland for drinks Thursday night before meandering over to the New York Dolls/Television Tribute night at Safari Sam's--the highlight of which was Peppermint Creeps, hands down, you don't even know. I think I get tonight off--I hope so anyway, cause this weekend will be filled with my first appearance at the book club I joined in January, kickball practice, probably the Walkmen, and a very special 70s karaoke night @ Guy's on Tuesday. Not to mention laundry and packing for my trip to New York next week!! Am I excited? You bet your ass I am!! Life can NEVER be too much fun!

Easter Parade

Had a very un-Pascal weekend: in observance of Lenten abstention, had a crazy all-you can eat sushi dinner on Friday w/ super-trooper from the OC Carol (took her 2.5 hours to get to the Valley-ouch!) & roomie Allison, followed by adventures in Downtown w/ Linda and crew. Original plan was to hit up El Cid, but dinner did that in. Then we were headed to a random warehouse party Downtown, but when we got there it was overrun with teenagers (despite the fact that I got carded to see Blades of Glory, which was hilarious, I do not count myself in their number) and the door was being manned by a bum, literally. So we went to Bordello instead, which was really cool and is allegedly in an actual house of ill-repute. And the bartenders were appropriately attired for the theme. How cute. Saw some random band playing gypsy music from the '30s which, I was drunkenly instructed by Brian, is the root of jazz. You learn something new every frickin' day. Thanks to Andrew for keeping us entertained even after the music stopped. Saturday was off to a very slow start, but we managed a successful shopping trip to buy a wedding present in the ghetto (that's so accurate, I don't even want to get into it) and a dress for Carol for her sis's wedding (not in the ghetto, thank god). Inadvertently had a mocha and carrot cake for dinner (I swear I thought I'd have time and appetite left for a real meal!) then trudged to Dimples for a couple drinks and about 8 rounds of Happy Birthday (my advice, if it's not your big day and you just want a fun night of watching your friends embarrass themselves in Burbank, go to Sardo's instead). Learned a couple polka steps outside of NoBar before beddy-bye time, finally. Showed up for Prince's fabu bar-b-que in less than stellar shape. Still, couldn't help but have a wonderful time with such an energetic host and lovely company.
I know you think I must be done, but I actually spent last night at the House of Blues on Sunset. I couldn't bring myself to drink a drop and left before the show was over to get home and get some zzz's (also got a parking ticket--boo!). Since there's no rest for the wicked (and I am wicked indeed), I'm headed to not-lame karaoke with the crew tonight. Tomorrow I sleep!

Undercover Brother is an idiot

I wouldn't let this guy drive my Corolla, let alone a $1.5 million Ferrari. Of course, I will never own a $1.5 m car...at least the car's owner has some perspective: there are, in fact, "worse things happening in the world."

Tempest in a styrofoam yogurt cup

Pinkberry, apparently, is all the rage. Personally, I find it pretty inexplicable. While I would never in a million years dream of risking a parking ticket and endureing an hour long wait in line for fro-yo, I was tempted to taste the wonder for myslef when the chain opened a new store in my 'hood. The experience left me wondering what all the fuss was about. I paid nearly five dollars for a cup of sour (in a yummy way) frozen yogurt that was swirled around so the middle remained empty then topped with fruit. Whoop-de-fuck. If I froze a fruit-on-the bottom yogurt then up-ended it (flan style), I would end up with the same thing (and more yogurt) for less than a buck. There's nothing wrong with Pinkberry, there's just nothing so super-freaking-duper about it either. And $5 for a mostly empty cup is a rip-off (it would be a rip-off even if it were full, seriously).