tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18236784527844851262024-03-13T11:12:29.561-07:00pico and the manAn L.A. apologist's love story (sorta)-Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219605016191141923noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-24322407328791425942009-03-29T20:09:00.000-07:002009-03-29T20:11:19.976-07:00COME SEE MY NEW PLAY!As -K might say: "iwriteplays actually wrote a play!" Here's the deets:<br /><br />Come see the world premiere of my new play, "Beneath Her Feet" (co-written by Jason Matthews). It's about living and working and loving in Los Angeles, and it's sure to be a good time.<br /><br />April 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 2009. Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. 4735 Lankershim Blvd, 91602.<br /><br />It's a 3-week run, so there are 9 -- count 'em: 9! -- chances to come see the play! <br /><br />Tickets are only $10! Make your reservations today -- don't miss out! Exclamation points!!!<br /><a href="http://www.abovethecurvetheatre.com/reservations.php">http://www.abovethecurvetheatre.com/reservations.php</a><br /><br />Can't wait to see you there!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/3396754391/" title="Go see my play! by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/3396754391_c045e204c0.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Go see my play!" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>iwriteplayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718728329372938247noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-86758752892947637932009-03-17T17:08:00.000-07:002009-03-17T17:33:54.081-07:00HOW TO NOT SPAM YOUR FRIENDSI'm the first to admit that I love an internet quiz. Which Sex and the City character are you? (Miranda) Where should you live? (Ireland) What's your true calling? (Hero) Sure, they may be ridiculous, poorly-written, and an all-around waste of time, but I love 'em. <br /><br />What I <strong>don't</strong> love is getting spammed every time one of my friends fills out a quiz on Facebook. What I hate even more is having to spam my own friends just to find out which comic book superhero I most identify with.<br /><br />So, in the spirit of sharing and saving us all from unnecessary application invites, I give you:<br /><br />HOW NOT TO SPAM YOUR FRIENDS WHEN FILLING OUT A FACEBOOK QUIZ - THE TUTORIAL<br /><br />When you first click on a link to fill out one of those quizzes, you get a window asking to "allow access" for the application. That's because each and every one of these quizzes is its own application that needs access to your facebook account, mainly so they can spam your friends. First, you gotta grant them access:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/3364308206/" title="tute-1 by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3364308206_907f1513bb.jpg" width="500" height="270" alt="tute-1" /></a><br /><br />Now, <strong>BEFORE YOU FILL OUT THE QUIZ</strong>, click on "Settings --> Application Settings" in your menu bar:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/3363488239/" title="tute-2 by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3363488239_1cdac8ed14.jpg" width="500" height="278" alt="tute-2" /></a><br /><br />Now, find the application/quiz you just added in the list, and click on "Edit Settings":<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/3364308252/" title="tute-3 by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3364308252_aa1f9d5bb0.jpg" width="500" height="450" alt="tute-3" /></a><br /><br />A settings window will pop up. Now you can choose when "stories" get published by this application. A "story" is the item in your news feed that says "Laura took the yadda yadda yadda quiz and she should be a whatever. Take your own quiz now!" If you want the option to publish your results in your news feed, click on "Prompt me..." If you don't want anything published in your wall, click "Never publish..." (I highly recommend "Never publish.."):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/3363488281/" title="tute-4 by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3363488281_cfc1c95c4f_o.jpg" width="485" height="286" alt="tute-4" /></a><br /><br />Click "Okay" and then you can go back to the quiz and find out which M&Ms flavor you'd be, or whatever.<br /><br />Finally, after you answer all the poorly-conceived questions, the application prompts you to choose a bunch of friends to "invite" to take the quiz. This is actually spam. All reputable applications let you skip this step, but it's usually in really small type:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/3363488299/" title="tute-5 by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3432/3363488299_ab0d958043.jpg" width="500" height="234" alt="tute-5" /></a><br /><br />Now you can find out what Greek goddess you are or what your leprechaun name would be without spamming your friends or announcing your results to the whole world -- at least without your permission.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>iwriteplayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718728329372938247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-23934316328191261002008-12-17T14:39:00.000-08:002008-12-17T15:43:03.910-08:00It's raining, it's pouringIt's also snowing in the mountains and desert.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/3116957598/" title="Winter Storm by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3116957598_b23cb137f0.jpg" width="500" height="337" alt="Winter Storm" /></a><br /><br />Enjoy the winter weather while it lasts, SoCal!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>iwriteplayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718728329372938247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-81826343973196134892008-12-07T19:40:00.000-08:002008-12-07T21:13:29.557-08:00Burger King is Despicable: A RantI'm hesitant to write this post at all because it just brings more attention to <a href="http://www.whoppervirgins.com" target="_blank">Burger King's detestable "Whopper Virgins" ad campaign</a>, but I am so deeply disturbed by it all that I have to vent.<br /><br />I first saw a teaser ad for this campaign during <a href="http://www.nbc.com/SNL/" target="_blank">SNL</a> last night. The ad asks: "What happens if you take Transylvanian Farmers who have never eaten a burger and ask them to compare Whopper versus Big Mac?" <br /><br /><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/ame/162824939/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/38/162824939_ea9d7d5db3.jpg" /></a><br /> <span style="font-size:9px">Photo by <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/ame/" target="_blank">spinnerin</a></span><br /><br />This immediately struck me as a strange sort of cultural imperialism. My father was born and raised in Transylvania, and I have visited the Transylvanian countryside twice myself. The people in these rural villages have endured horrible oppression by totalitarian dictatorships and still drive horse-drawn carts to transport their goods, but Burger King only cares to exploit their "virgin" palates so they can outsell McDonalds.<br /><br />I headed to the Whopper Virgins website to do my research before writing this angry diatribe. Once there, I was greeted by an extended ad for Burger King shot in "documentary style," complete with behind-the-scenes interviews on the making of the commercial. The ad followed the crew as they found people in three "remote locations" who had never tried a burger before in their lives. The three locations turned out to be Romania, Thailand, and Greenland.<br /><br />They do the taste test, and - SURPRISE! - most of the tasters prefer the Whopper. That's predictable. The thing that really made me cringe was listening to the "filmmakers" marvel at how the villagers didn't know how to eat a burger, while violin-and-synth inspirational music swells in the background. Are we supposed to be sentimental about this? <br /><br />"Here, have some cholesterol-laden, artery-clogging, processed food to replace your organic, hearty, home-grown diet! Oh, how cute! You don't know how to eat it! Well, you'll learn."<br /><br />It's like the culinary equivalent of distributing smallpox-infected blankets.<br /><br />The whole thing was amazingly condescending.<br /><br />But wait, there's more! It turns out the "Transylvanian villagers" mentioned in the ad aren't from Transylvania at all. They're from Budesti, a town 30 kilometers southeast of Bucharest. That's on the opposite end of Romania from Transylvania. On top of that, the villagers they interviewed appeared to be Roma (a.k.a. Gypsies), an ethnic group that has been consistently marginalized and persecuted throughout history. But don't fret! Now they have American fast food to make them happy!<br /><br />And while we're talking persecution, let's jump to the Thailand location for the Whopper Virgins shoot. The credits for the ad thank the "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hmong_people" target="_blank">Hmong</a> of Baan Mon Kghor and Baan Khun Chang Kian, Thailand." I was born in Fresno, California, where there is a large population of Hmong immigrants and I grew up with many Hmong friends. Hmong people live in Fresno for the same reason they now live in Thailand: they are political refugees from Laos. <br /><br /><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/philip66/2053859981/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2089/2053859981_4057bb4560.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:9px;">Photo by <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/philip66/" target="_blank">Phil-osophical Bird</a></span><br /><br />But wait, there's more! They're not just your average, everyday refugees from an oppressive communist dictatorship (like my dad was), they've been forced out of Laos thanks to lots of United States meddling. See, in the 1960s, the CIA started recruiting Hmong people to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laotian_Civil_War" target="_blank">fight a secret war against the Laotian government</a>. When that didn't work out in our favor, the Laotian government began systematically targeting the Hmong. That spurred thousands to flee to Thailand, where many still live in refugee camps.<br /><br />But all Burger King cares about is whether the Hmong prefer their burger over the other guy's.<br /><br />"Sorry our government is responsible for the complete displacement of your people. We know all the death and destruction must have been a drag. As a consolation prize, have a burger! (Preferably a Whopper.)"<br /><br />And Burger King has the gall to pretend they're doing these people a favor. This is a direct quote from the ad:<br /><br />"They told us yesterday, 'no, we want to experience other things in this world, too. We want to taste other foods, we want to see other people, we want to see other things." <br /><br />Apparently, eating a Whopper is the best we can offer.<br /><br />Then they show a Romanian villager giving a guy from the American crew an elaborate, handmade fur jacket. The American guy is amazed at this and says, "these things take a month to make and this guy just handed it to me!" So give it back. It may be seen as rude, but those villagers need that jacket more than you do. He's not going to wear it in Los Angeles, while shopping at the Grove or taking a stroll down the Santa Monica pier. At best, he'll show it off to his other commercial-director friends as a quaint souvenir of his morally-bereft visit to Romania.<br /><br />The final ethnic group Burger King decided to exploit were the Inuit of Greenland. I don't know a lot about their culture, so I'm not going to pretend. But this guy really made me happy:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/3091815098/" title="Burger King by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/3091815098_1449c0e5e1.jpg" width="500" height="421" alt="Burger King" /></a><br /><br />"I like seal meat better." <br /><br />Amen, brother. A-men! <br /><br />--------------<br /><br />P.S. Discussion point: what's worse? This Burger King campaign, or what <a href="" target="_blank">Borat did to that other Romanian village</a>. Debate and discuss.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>iwriteplayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718728329372938247noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-69085830895386702972008-11-19T14:46:00.000-08:002008-11-19T15:07:49.151-08:00Gmail is all pretty<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/3044692058/" title="Gmail is pretty by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/3044692058_b8b16b494e.jpg" width="500" height="385" alt="Gmail is pretty" /></a><br /><br />Yeah, this is off-topic, but I thought I'd just let people know that Gmail is now supporting new themes -- yes, your Gmail can be pretty now, without the aid of an additional plug in. <a href="http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/spice-up-your-inbox-with-colors-and.html" target="_blank">Check their blog for details.</a><br /><br />I'm currently sporting the "Tree" theme, in case you were wondering. <br /><br />And if you don't see the "Themes" options in your Gmail settings, it may not be rolled out to you yet. Don't fret - Google says you'll be getting it within a couple days.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>iwriteplayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718728329372938247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-67940447408148527432008-10-31T10:32:00.000-07:002008-10-31T10:34:49.465-07:00Second City and i/O Theatre Make a Video<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1mHlxySswfM&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1mHlxySswfM&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>-Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219605016191141923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-30243688865520440422008-10-31T10:15:00.000-07:002008-10-31T10:22:27.557-07:00ROOTS OF EQUALITY TO RALLY THIS SUNDAY!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SQs9m3oTaFI/AAAAAAAAC1g/wDeKWSzUseI/s1600-h/n501676770_1457364_9967.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SQs9m3oTaFI/AAAAAAAAC1g/wDeKWSzUseI/s400/n501676770_1457364_9967.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263368327489874002" border="0" /></a><a href="http://laist.com/2008/10/31/laist_interview_the_girls_behind_ro.php#more">Seen on LAist!!! </a><br /><br />I got a chance to interview Teresa Wang of a new grass roots organization called Roots of Equality. <br /><p style="font-style: italic;"><strong>Tell me about Roots of Equality, whose idea was it and how did you guys get started?</strong></p> <p>Six of us decided we needed to do something for the visibility of No on 8. We were especially frustrated with the influx of "yes on 8" materials, rallies etc. Their visibility made us feel even more like a powerless minority and we had enough. My cousin in-law, Tom DeSimone, and his partner, Jason Wright rallied with some people in Thousand Oaks against prop 8. They then recruited the rest of us to start doing mini-rallies (outside Staples Center Events, at Sunset and Vine, and at the Hollywood Farmer's Market, pretty much wherever we went.) Tom, Jason, Melissa Lopez, Kersu Dalal, Justin Emerick, and I decided to organize Roots of Equality to put together a large rally and give the people for No on 8 one booming voice.</p> <p><strong style="font-style: italic;">What are the details of Sunday's Rally?</strong><br /></p> <a name="more"></a> <p>Sunday's rally will take place at Pershing Square on the corner of Olive and 6th at 1:00 pm. The goal of the rally is to motivate participants to go out in the final days before the election and be vocal and visible. One of our biggest themes is for the participants to tell their stories including how prop 8 will affect their lives. We want them to take their stories out to the people in their lives who are undecided or may vote yes in a final attempt to show those voters that this proposition is not political, it's personal.</p> <p>We're going to start the rally with some good old fashioned honk soliciting. We're also going to have Diane Olson and Robin Tyler speak. Olson and Tyler were the original plaintiffs who started the marriage equality lawsuit that ended up winning equal rights for gays and lesbians at the California Supreme Court last May. We will also have a segment where participants will have a chance to take the mic and tell their stories. We'll follow up with a pledge drive, not for money, but pledges to start a discussion with the yes and undecided voters in their lives. The rally will also include a sign making station where participants can make signs of their own to use during the rally, and bring back to their neighborhood.</p> <p>We do want to emphasize that if Yes on 8 people or other opponents come in the vicinity of our rally, participants should not engage them and ignore them no matter what they say or do. We are asking for respect and dignity and so even if our opponents do not give treat us with that, we will. Our rally is peaceful.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;"><strong>I've heard a Yes on 8 group will be having a rally at City Hall at the same time. What do you expect from that and do you think Roots of Equality will outnumber them?</strong></p> <p>We do know they will have a rally but have no idea what types of numbers they are expecting. We have to admit that their presence at our City Hall was a motivator to have our rally on that day in downtown. As residents of Downtown LA, we refuse to sit and watch as Yes on 8 assembles in our backyard to take away our rights. We want to show that Downtown LA is against Prop 8, Los Angeles is against Prop 8, and soon California will show that we are against Prop 8.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;"><strong>There are currently rallies every night in West Hollywood, and to me this seems a bit like preaching to the choir, why did you choose downtown?</strong></p> <p>I work in Orange County and my parents live in Orange County. I've seen firsthand how visible Yes on 8 is in that area and how much No on 8 needs to be visible in those areas. I saw recently that Fullerton had a huge rally which I thought was awesome. Like I said earlier, Downtown LA is our neighborhood and we want to be visible in our area, visible to the media, and then send people off from the rally motivated to be visible in their neighborhoods and their lives. Also, toward the end of a campaign visibility efforts are as much about getting your voters out as they are trying to convince new voters.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;"><strong>How many people do you expect at this point? And is there anything the group needs, more signs, printing, etc?</strong></p> <p>This little idea amongst friends has ballooned into something big and potentially very powerful. None of us are practiced activists so we're admittedly a bit inexperienced in this. We're expecting our rally to number somewhere in the hundreds, based on our responses so far and the expectation that many people will bring their friends and others will come via word of mouth. </p> <p>The first thing we need from people is their attendance. If people want to help out, please contact us at <a href="mailto:rootsofequality@gmail.com">rootsofequality@gmail.com</a>. Right now we need an experienced MC and more notable speakers. Oh, and if anyone has an amazing sound system that would be cool too.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>-Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219605016191141923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-8140180267105624592008-10-28T14:50:00.000-07:002008-10-28T15:23:58.738-07:00Obama + Scoops = Awesomeness<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/2982681326/" title="Flavors for Change by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2982681326_accbb334cd_o.jpg" width="333" height="380" alt="Flavors for Change" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/scoops-los-angeles" target="_blank">Scoops</a> is possibly my favorite place in the whole wide world. Not only do they make the most delicious ice cream on the planet (I dare you to find a better flavor selection), but now they're raising money for the Obama campaign! From now until Halloween, they'll be making election-inspired flavors and donating 20% of the proceeds to the Obama Victory Fund! <br /><br />Tonight, they're even having an <a href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/fundraising/gs59dd" target="_blank">ice cream social</a> to kick it all off. <br /><br /><span style="font-size:9px;">A disclaimer from contributor K:<br />In the interest of bipartisanship we were going to post about a similar McCain event, but we can't find one because Republicans don't like to have fun.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>iwriteplayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718728329372938247noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-47363595684354273022008-10-26T16:04:00.000-07:002008-10-26T16:27:41.066-07:00THE HORROR MOVIES YOU MIGHT ACTUALLY WANT TO WATCH THIS HALLOWEEN... <title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 2.1 (Win32)"><meta name="AUTHOR" content="Andrew Lobel"><meta name="CREATED" content="20081025;13485900"><meta name="CHANGEDBY" content="Andrew Lobel"><meta name="CHANGED" content="20081026;14430600"><style> <!-- @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Let me first say that everyone should know “the classics”, the films that have defined, and redefined, the horror genre. You're probably familiar with all of them: <i>Rosemary's Baby, The Exorcist, The Shining, The Omen, Halloween, The Haunting</i>...etc. The list goes on. And yes, they're all remarkable films.
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">But don't screen these movies at your Halloween party.
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">They may still be scary, and for the most part, they all still “work”. But honestly, how many times can you rewatch Carrie before it ceases to be frightening and starts to feel more like an exercise in film history? For the most part, these “classics” are all rather slow and careful. It's what elevates them to the great pieces of art that they are. Unfortunately, it makes for rather boring Halloween parties.
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When you know all the great set pieces by heart (crucifix masturbation, nanny hanging, dead naked woman in the bathtub...etc.) it often feels like you're waiting around for the next big moment. I've watched Carrie in a large group; after the shower scene it's one long crawl to the bucket of pigs blood.
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Because of this, I've compiled a list of less-popular horror films more suitable for group viewing.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iHw-G3iUpVA/SQT30WDi5bI/AAAAAAAAAAw/vwGmmKtGBOs/s1600-h/fly_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iHw-G3iUpVA/SQT30WDi5bI/AAAAAAAAAAw/vwGmmKtGBOs/s320/fly_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261602743321290162" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>1. THE FLY (Cronenberg)</b></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This is my favorite monster movie. Ever. It's a classy film, even after Jeff Goldblum starts vomiting on his food. </p>
<br />
<br /><b></b><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>2. HELLRAISER/HELLRAISER 2 </b> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The franchise became something different, with numerous attempts to turn Pinhead into some kind of slasher villain. Forget about the later installments; Hellraiser is a beautifully dark love story which manages to be horrifying without relying heavily on the flayed Cenobites.
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">If you're too familiar with the original, or if you have a strong yearning for visions of an M.C. Escher-like Hell, go for the sequel. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>3. EVENT HORIZON </b> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The film eventually becomes outright horror, but the mysterious sci-fi premise works to hook you right from the beginning. Bonus points for the Hellraiser-inspired makeup on Sam Neil.
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iHw-G3iUpVA/SQT354iVtuI/AAAAAAAAAA4/Lc7AtTgmLkI/s1600-h/descent2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iHw-G3iUpVA/SQT354iVtuI/AAAAAAAAAA4/Lc7AtTgmLkI/s320/descent2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261602838476601058" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>4. THE DESCENT </b> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">No one is going to give this film an award for its story, but it remains the most claustrophobic movie I've ever seen. It's absolutely terrifying... and then the monsters show up.
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>5. FINAL DESTINATION 2 </b> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Well, this movie isn't scary at all. You can almost classify it as a comedy. Regardless of the actual genre, this is a guaranteed party-pleaser and possibly the most fun I've ever had watching teens die.
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>
<br /></b></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>6. 28 DAYS LATER</b></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Night of the living dead wins for general filmic significance, but by now everyone knows that they all should have just hid in the basement. And yeah, it's still fucked up that they shoot the black guy in the head. Now that that's out of the way...
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Danny Boyle's zombie flick is an artistic gem while also being out-right terrifying. As a bonus, you can follow-up the movie with endless argument about whether or not the last 20 minutes suck.
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iHw-G3iUpVA/SQT4BBD4SPI/AAAAAAAAABA/n1EIkUUr9Tc/s1600-h/tf.org-A-Nightmare-on-Elm-Street-4-The-Dream-Master-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iHw-G3iUpVA/SQT4BBD4SPI/AAAAAAAAABA/n1EIkUUr9Tc/s320/tf.org-A-Nightmare-on-Elm-Street-4-The-Dream-Master-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261602961023846642" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>7. NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET PART IV
<br /></b></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Yes, I'm actually advocating Nightmare part 4...</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Bottom line, if you somehow haven't seen the original <i>A Nightmare on Elm Street </i>then you have no business reading this post anyway. Go buy it. Go watch it. Preferably alone with the lights out.
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">But while Kruger's over-the-top silliness might have sunk the franchise, it's precisely this carnivalesque behavior that makes this film a party favorite. Bonus points for the especially cheesy 80's feel to this film. Though the 3<sup>rd</sup> installment (<i>The Dream Warriors</i>) has some great sequences, nothing can top this film's traumatizing roach motel death sequence. It might be the most horrific sequence in any film. Ever.
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p>
<br />
<br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>8. THE THING (Carpenter)</b></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Both a paranoid-thriller, and an effects-laden sci-fi horror masterpiece. <i>Halloween</i> might remain the iconic Carpenter horror film, but while everyone remembers Jamie-Lee Curtis stuck in the closet, few people remember the sheer brilliance of this movie's defibrillator scene.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iHw-G3iUpVA/SQT4icu6fQI/AAAAAAAAABI/YhsnDb4oK9U/s1600-h/hostel_chair.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iHw-G3iUpVA/SQT4icu6fQI/AAAAAAAAABI/YhsnDb4oK9U/s320/hostel_chair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261603535387786498" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>9. HOSTEL</b></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This movie might have inadvertently created a new genre of horror known as <i>Torture-Porn</i>, but the film's most frightening scene takes place in a locker room featuring nothing but two guys talking. There's an ample supply of breasts in addition to murders, and while the film plays a little unbalanced, it's guaranteed to generate some cheering once the real violence kicks in. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>
<br /></b></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>10. JACOBS LADDER</b></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I almost didn't include this film on the list, mainly because the rather cerebral plot might not play well with a drunk crowd. Still, this film features some of the most frightening imagery I've ever seen in a film. The ending might piss everyone off, but none of them will forget the incredible gurney trip through the asylum-hell. If your there are more wine-drinkers than keg-standers at your party, this is a great choice. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14801326687325409526noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-53045921277619490052008-10-23T21:50:00.000-07:002008-10-24T11:01:01.005-07:00PHOTO ESSAY: LOS ANGELES THROUGH HIS EYES<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n_ea_l/">Neal's</a> take on my hometown<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SQFXE5OaRyI/AAAAAAAAC0g/jBew84DMleQ/s1600-h/14420005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SQFXE5OaRyI/AAAAAAAAC0g/jBew84DMleQ/s400/14420005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260581581337806626" border="0" /></a> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="bodybold"><o:p></o:p></span><span class="huge"></span><span class="bodybold"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2907992682_e9d793e8c0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2907992682_e9d793e8c0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Those are good burgers Walter.<br />-The Big Lebowski<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SQFWbbQ8ISI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/EOCEhDoIbGM/s1600-h/IMG_8631.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SQFWbbQ8ISI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/EOCEhDoIbGM/s400/IMG_8631.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260580868920713506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SQFWbfJ4iXI/AAAAAAAAC0I/rSqSvXEaPoY/s1600-h/14400011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SQFWbfJ4iXI/AAAAAAAAC0I/rSqSvXEaPoY/s400/14400011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260580869964859762" border="0" /></a>In Los Angeles, by the time you're 35,<br />you're older than most of the buildings<br />-Delia Ephron<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_atppi8UEXZc/SQINAmypZCI/AAAAAAAAABE/DrII1lq0wlE/s1600-h/punisher.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_atppi8UEXZc/SQINAmypZCI/AAAAAAAAABE/DrII1lq0wlE/s320/punisher.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260781618786296866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SQFWb4GqhVI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/uqLOu6QjlqM/s1600-h/IMG_8651.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SQFWb4GqhVI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/uqLOu6QjlqM/s400/IMG_8651.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260580876662244690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SQFV_xl3LMI/AAAAAAAACzw/pdYRR4U-U3o/s1600-h/14400012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SQFV_xl3LMI/AAAAAAAACzw/pdYRR4U-U3o/s400/14400012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260580393877712066" border="0" /></a><span class="huge">There is more openness in LA to possibilities than on the East Coast of America. </span><br /><span class="huge"> There is a pioneering spirit there that stems from the reason people went out </span><br /><span class="huge"> there in the first place-to find something new.</span><br /><span class="bodybold">Esa-Pekka Salonen</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SQFVlGwFYlI/AAAAAAAACzg/YRvG3oJexWg/s1600-h/14420004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SQFVlGwFYlI/AAAAAAAACzg/YRvG3oJexWg/s400/14420004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260579935701262930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SQFVIvB8qdI/AAAAAAAACzY/REPy19LGHi4/s1600-h/IMG_8608.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SQFVIvB8qdI/AAAAAAAACzY/REPy19LGHi4/s400/IMG_8608.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260579448297400786" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Los Angeles is 72 suburbs in search of a city -Dorothy Parker<br /><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>-Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219605016191141923noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-39784735000843317432008-10-21T23:41:00.000-07:002008-10-22T00:15:43.229-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SP7MMO9nWhI/AAAAAAAACwg/BdsX6phpLLQ/s1600-h/2958739239_2160d8e7a2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SP7MMO9nWhI/AAAAAAAACwg/BdsX6phpLLQ/s400/2958739239_2160d8e7a2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259865925362342418" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.franklinavenue.net/">Franklin Avenue</a> is at it again with this year's <a href="http://www.greatlawalk.blogspot.com/">The Great Los Angeles Walk</a>. This years route will be Santa Monica Blvd from start to finish including some Sunset Blvd. & Cesar Chavez which goes through 4 cities. That's 18 miles folks.<br /><br /><a href="http://pico-andtheman.blogspot.com/2007/11/iphone-tour-of-pico-boulevard.html">Last year</a> it was Pico Blvd. so we had no choice. This year I actually want to do it. I'm not very bright.<br /><br />Nov. 22 - 9am<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>-Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219605016191141923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-69231256905630552502008-10-16T16:49:00.000-07:002008-10-16T22:22:01.662-07:00PICO IS OFF HIATUS - NEWS ROUND UP<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SPfUamMRa7I/AAAAAAAACuU/PlUS8WT-Iek/s1600-h/2929094122_6eb535e864_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SPfUamMRa7I/AAAAAAAACuU/PlUS8WT-Iek/s400/2929094122_6eb535e864_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257904643372051378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n_ea_l/">Neal</a></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">-Christine Zeimba for<a href="http://laist.com/"> LAist</a> could not be more accurate if she tried. Check out <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://laist.com/2008/10/14/how_to_ruin_a_promising_tv_series.php">How to Ruin a Once Promising TV Series</a> where she breaks down why Heroes is sucking it up lately. Seriously writers, I did not honk in solidarity at the picket line on Pico so that you guys could go back and write crap. Pull it together.<br /><br />- I love that Yahoo Movies has posted the <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://movies.yahoo.com/photos/movie-stills/gallery/1175/biographical-inaccuracies#photo0">10 Most Biographically Incorrect Movies</a>. I also love that #1 is A Beautiful Mind. I'm so tired of hearing that people actually liked this movie. It gives me nothing but pleasure to share the following items about Nash:<br /><blockquote>"was arrested in a Santa Monica men's room on "moral charges," and made numerous un-P.C. remarks over the years about various minority groups. More flagrantly, the hallucinations Nash suffered in real life were entirely auditory, not visual. And Nash's big, weepy Nobel Prize acceptance speech at the end? He never gave one. "</blockquote>And that my friends is what vindication tastes like.<br /><br />- I always knew The Bee Gees had <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081016/od_nm/us_heart_beegees">magical powers</a>.<br /><br />-Also look what iwriteplays <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/2923383533/">made </a>she really is very crafty.<br /><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>-Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219605016191141923noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-91166447677542798412008-09-05T10:16:00.000-07:002008-09-05T10:45:53.619-07:00Opa! Get your Greek on!<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/fepigio/1314142738/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1124/1314142738_9f2aab22ff.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/fepigio/1314142738/" style="display:block; clear:both; font-size:10px;" target="_blank">"Oia - Santorini" by otrocalpe</a><br /><br />Can't make it to Santorini this weekend? Well, you're in luck, 'cause the nice folks over at <a href="http://www.stsophia.org/" target="_blank">Saint Sophia Cathedral</a> are bringing Greece to L.A. for the weekend! The 10th annual <a href="http://www.lagreekfest.com/home.html" target="_blank">L.A. Greek Festival</a> is happening Friday through Sunday, with lots of great food, drink, and dancing. And if celeb-spotting is your thing, you may run into celebrity hosts Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.lagreekfest.com/home.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.lagreekfest.com/festimages/press/pic2_large.jpg" width="500"/></a><br /><br />Look for me when you get there! I'll be the one eating a massive plate of moussaka.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>iwriteplayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718728329372938247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-26290826225970525582008-07-29T00:05:00.000-07:002008-07-29T00:12:59.893-07:00MY KIND OF DINNER PARTY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FvZQ7YO5hbQ/SI7CW9HUk0I/AAAAAAAAADk/rAz7eaIxzdY/s1600-h/DogfoodByK.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FvZQ7YO5hbQ/SI7CW9HUk0I/AAAAAAAAADk/rAz7eaIxzdY/s400/DogfoodByK.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228329917041906498" /></a><br />Here at Pico we try to avoid commenting on political controversy, mostly because A) we’re lazy B) it’s in our mission statement and C) it’s over by the time we get around to noticing such controversy exists. So we respectfully decline to comment on the cover of a particular literary magazine that's been buried under a pile of our mail for about 2 weeks. Fist-thumping Muslims aside, we were thrilled to discover (albeit a bit belatedly and from our favorite porcelain reading chair) that there are some real gems to be discovered within the pages of that very same issue.<br /><br />To Wit: <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2008/07/21/080721sh_shouts_brenner">Best. Dinner Party Idea. Ever.</a><br /><br />We especially like #4 and #7, and plan to try one (or both) in the very near future. As pretty much everyone who reads us ends up at <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/kristinicole/2058007917/in/set-72157603823808820/">our house for dinner</a> sooner or later, accept this as your warning that dog biscuits may be on the menu in the very near future.<br /><br />#14 is of course, our favorite. Does anyone out there remember the “Syphilis is back” poster ads that graced bus stops along La Brea Avenue last year? Those much-needed PSAs are much missed in our hood. Apropos of well, nothing, and for lack of a better segue from food-borne illnesses to STDs, we proudly present <a href="http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2008/06/makes-ya-wonder-what-card-said.html">dessert</a>.<br /><br />Happy Tuesday, y'all.<br /><br />PS: Just in case you've yet to sort through the mail or read all of mid-July's political commentary, here's that pesky <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/covers/slideshow_blittcovers">cover</a>. Don't say we never gave you anything.<div><br /></div><div>PPS: special thanks to photogenius K for the lead shot. Yep, it's dog food.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684009850648247698noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-34479565880566357842008-07-22T14:34:00.000-07:002008-07-22T14:55:33.283-07:00BAD NEWS BEARS FOR BOOK REVIEWS<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristinicole/2429897369/" title="Libros by kristi.nicole, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2429897369_3a36a153e1.jpg" alt="Libros " height="389" width="500" /></a><br /><br />-The LA Times stand alone book review booklet thingy<a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlLA/newspaper_deathwatch/the_philistine_prophecy_la_times_chops_up_book_reviews_89859.asp"> is no more</a> <span style="font-size:9px;">(<a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlla/">Fishbowl LA</a>)</span><br /><br />-Per Los Angeles magazine the <a href="http://www.lamag.com/LAtoZ/article.aspx?id=1618&page=2">Central Library</a> is one of the 64 Greatest Things About LA. <span style="font-size:9px;">(<a href="http://www.lamag.com/default.aspx">LAMAG.com</a>)</span><br /><br />-Did you know <a href="http://www.skylightbooks.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp?s=localauthors">Skylight Books has book groups</a>? I did not. <span style="font-size:9px;">(<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=1818+N+Vermont+Ave,+Los+Angeles,+Los+Angeles,+California+90027,+United+States&daddr=&mra=pe&mrcr=0&doflg=ptm&sll=38.304332,-100.710382&sspn=17.69763,45.527344&ie=UTF8&z=16">map</a>) </span><br /><br />-<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/">New York Times Book Section</a>. You're going to need this. </span><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>-Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219605016191141923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-27263778716281688402008-07-18T13:13:00.000-07:002008-07-18T13:53:56.565-07:00THINGS TO DO THIS SATURDAY<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristinicole/2157010203/" title="Santa Monica as seen from The Huntley by kristi.nicole, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2322/2157010203_b6ebc00420.jpg" alt="Santa Monica as seen from The Huntley" height="485" width="500" /></a><br /><br />-<a href="http://www.smgov.net/smarts/glow/#">GLOW </a><br />Santa Monica Pier<span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=santa+monica+pier&ie=UTF8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ll=34.009447,-118.497355&spn=0.009641,0.02223&z=16&iwloc=addr"> (map) </a></span><br />Saturday from dusk till dawn<br /><br />Everyone keeps blathering on about this one. It's an art exhibit/celebration inspired by the Nuit Blanche in Paris. A sample exhibit by VJ Culture (Grant Davis) is "Goldie", a single goldfish kicking it in his bowl while his image is projected onto windows facing Ocean Ave. As an FYI I see no liquor sponsors for the event, but it might be good to walk through this on the<span style="font-style: italic;"> way </span>to the bars.<br /><br />-<a href="http://www.cinespia.org/calendar/">CINESPIA </a><br />Hollywood Forever Cemetery Screenings,<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=6000+Santa+Monica+Blvd,+Los+Angeles,+Los+Angeles,+California+90038,+Unite+States&layer=&ie=UTF8&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=57.684464,72.421875&om=1&msid=105603996154489920704.00000111dd1223c848f70&msa=0&ll=34.09075,-118.320115&spn=0.004816,0.011115&z=17"><span style="font-size:85%;"> (map) </span></a><br />Saturday, gates open at 7:30pm<br /><br />This weekends showing is <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">A Clockwork Orange</span>. Parking is $5 and tix are $10. Let's face it this movie should be shown in a cemetery, it's fitting.<br /><br />-<a href="http://clubspaceland.com/2008/saturday-071908-the-long-winters-say-hi/">CLUB SPACELAND</a> in Silverlake<br />Saturday 9:00pm<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thelongwinters.com/">The Long Winters</a> are playing and word on the street is they are good. <a href="http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=274009">Tix</a> are $15<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Photo: Santa Monica as seen from <a href="http://www.thehuntleyhotel.com/penthouse-restaurant.php">The Penthouse at The Huntley</a> </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>-Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219605016191141923noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-53822782912131496582008-07-17T12:55:00.000-07:002008-07-17T13:02:25.743-07:00THURSDAY TIMELAPSE<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EFsScXaqb_w&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EFsScXaqb_w&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />My pal Morgan the surfing/photog savant at his finest.<br /><br />His <a href="http://www.bogus08.com/">website</a><br />His <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/morgan1/">flickr</a><br />His<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/morgan1/1088441218/in/set-72157601831959919/"> dogs</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>-Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219605016191141923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-14501000458443139552008-07-15T15:03:00.000-07:002008-07-15T22:02:39.661-07:00INSPIRATION FROM SHANGHAI<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SH0fqyZjNuI/AAAAAAAABxQ/BaN7Zb8KUfA/s1600-h/shoes2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zBSsm65ca1c/SH0fqyZjNuI/AAAAAAAABxQ/BaN7Zb8KUfA/s400/shoes2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223365962763548386" border="0" /></a>It's Tuesday afternoon and the boss is away. After reading my favorite new blog (<a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.ispyshanghai.com">www.ispyshanghai.com</a> - well not new but new to me) I decided to tape lips to my shoes to pass the time. It worked. I might add some eyes tomorrow to go with the lips. <br /><br />The post that started it is <a href="http://ispyshanghai.com/2008/07/15/greatest-shoes-ever-seen/">here.</a><br /><br />I highly recommend James's Shoe Tuesday posts. Archive that shit.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>-Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219605016191141923noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-89386910973139424462008-06-26T15:14:00.001-07:002008-06-26T15:19:19.848-07:00EAT SWEETS, END HUNGERWise Pico and the Man readers already know that <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/scoops-los-angeles" target="_blank">Scoops</a> is the best ice cream shop in the world. And now, we have yet another reason to love Scoops: they're hosting a charity bake sale this Saturday.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/nocookieleftbehind" target="_blank"><img src="http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j154/tannazie/bakesale-2.jpg" width="475" /></a><br /><br />The folks at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/nocookieleftbehind" target="_blank">no cookie left behind</a> not only have a hilariously awesome name but are also nice, charitable people. They're raising money for the <a href="http://gabs.strength.org/site/PageServer?pagename=GABS_homepage" target="_blank">Great American Bake Sale</a>, organized by <a href="http://www.strength.org" target="_blank">Share Our Strength</a>, to help end hunger in America.<br /><br />So head over to Scoops on Saturday, June 28, between noon and 4pm to help end hunger for more than 12.6 million children nationwide!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>iwriteplayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718728329372938247noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-72778691267637215322008-06-13T13:28:00.000-07:002008-06-13T13:45:19.191-07:00BASIX - WEST HOLLYWOODLiving in Weho has it's advantages and disadvantages. Namely, the god damned parking enforcement which counts as like 20 disadvantages. However, one big one on the plus side is <a href="http://www.basixcafe.com/">Basix Cafe</a> at the corner of Santa Monica Blvd. & Kings Road. We've been going there at least a few times a month for two years.<br /><br />Their caramel apple pancakes are key.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristinicole/2559651331/" title="Basix Cafe - Apple Pancakes by kristi.nicole, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2559651331_22eed714ef.jpg" alt="Basix Cafe - Apple Pancakes" height="333" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Parfait goodness . . .<br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/2560470440_e906eb9200.jpg" alt="Paryummy" height="271" width="500" /><br /><br />If you're lucky enough, you'll get James as your waiter . . . he kicks ass<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristinicole/2560469564/" title="James, My Favorite Waiter by kristi.nicole, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/2560469564_c40c81241f.jpg" width="500" height="331" alt="James, My Favorite Waiter" /></a><br /><br />Dogs can sit on the patio or the three sidewalk tables (no alcohol on sidewalk)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristinicole/2559652929/" title="Just a peek . . . by kristi.nicole, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/2559652929_a77cd16e54.jpg" width="500" height="303" alt="Just a peek . . ." /></a><br /><br />I'd also recommend:<br />Brioche French Toast<br />Breakfast Burrito<br />Chilaquiles<br /><br />And I'd challenge you to find a spicier Bloody Mary.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>-Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219605016191141923noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-79117914242676218772008-06-09T12:34:00.000-07:002008-06-09T13:55:17.280-07:00LEONARD: A LETTER FROM TORONTO<p style="font-style:italic"><br />(This post was written by iwriteplays' father, who saw Leonard Cohen's first concert in 14 years at the Sony Center for the Performing Arts in Toronto, Canada, on June 6, 2008.)</p><br /><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/trevorh/145959068/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/52/145959068_454c7fc42b.jpg" border="0" width="429" height="500" /></a><br /><p style="font-size:11px;">Photo by <a href="http://www.longexposure.ca/" target="_blank">Trevor Haldenby</a></p><br /><p>As the lights go down, one can barely discern the outline of the instruments against the blue background. There is a hush. Like shadows, band members file in and take up their positions on the stage. "The opening band, no doubt," I think. One can barely see the fedora-covered heads of the musicians in the darkness. Suddenly the stage lights come on. There, hat in hand, with a reverential bow and a humble smile, stands <em>our man</em>, Leonard Cohen.<br /> <div style="display:block; line-height:14px; width:200px; padding:8px; float:left; margin:8px 8px 8px 0; background:#666; color:#000; font-style:italic; border:3px double #999; font-size:12px; font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif"> "But I swear by this song <br /> And by all that I have done wrong <br /> I will make it all up to thee." <br /> –"Bird on a Wire"</div> </p> <p>The effect is exhilarating. "Fourteen years ago I was a 60 year old young kid with a crazy dream," he says. That is the last time that he had toured. Most of his fans—no, the word "follower" is better—most of his followers never thought that they would see him in person again. And here he stands, ready to sing his poems to us. <div style="display:block; line-height:14px; width:200px; padding:8px; float:right; margin:8px 0 8px 8px; background:#666; color:#000; font-style:italic; border:3px double #999; font-size:12px; font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif"> "Ring the bells that still can ring <br /> Forget your perfect offering <br /> There is a crack in everything <br /> That's how the light gets in " <br /> –"Anthem" </div></p> <p>I am still a youngster of 60. I am excited. Leonard was a hero of my generation. To my surprise, there are many people in their 30s and even 20s in the audience. A 25-ish girl next to me traveled from Ohio to see Leonard. Her friend came from Western Canada. They seem to know his songs better than I do. "That is the fifth song on his latest album,"she says. "Yes, we find him very very sexy, can't you see why?" says her friend. They are serious, without a hint of sarcasm. Wow! </p><p>And then he suddenly starts singing. His voice is deeper, calmer, more resonant than I ever remember. It is a near-religious experience.</p> <p>The band is incredible—nine extraordinary musicians. The backup singers, the Webb sisters and long time friend and collaborator Sharon Robinson, are mesmerizing. The harmonics, the beat, the rhythm, the improvisations and solos of the musicians are first rate. They all complement each other perfectly. Leonard takes pains to make each musician shine and introduces them repeatedly by name. He takes his hat off and bows as they play. <div style="display:block; line-height:14px; width:200px; padding:8px; float:left; margin:8px 8px 8px 0; background:#666; color:#000; font-style:italic; border:3px double #999; font-size:12px; font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif">"You say I took the name in vain <br /> I don't even know the name <br /> But if I did, well really, what's it to you? <br /> There's a blaze of light <br /> In every word <br /> It doesn't matter which you heard <br /> The holy or the broken Hallelujah" <br /> –"Hallelujah" </div></p><br /><p>"Tower of Song" is one of Leonard's best-known songs. He interprets it exquisitely and hearing it for the hundredth time does not detract from the experience. It ends with "do dam dam dah dah do dam dah" repeated in a slow decrescendo by the backup ladies. Leonard Cohen, ordained Buddhist monk, poet, musician, philosopher, hushes the audience and says something like this: "for a long time I have been searching for the secret to life's mysteries. This is what it is." He points at the ladies and moves along with the ethereal music, not quite daring to join in. <div style="display:block; line-height:14px; width:200px; padding:8px; float:right; margin:8px 0 8px 8px; background:#666; color:#000; font-style:italic; border:3px double #999; font-size:12px; font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif"> "Ah but a man never got a woman back <br /> Not by begging on his knees..." <br /> –"I'm your man"</div></p> <p>He was on stage for about two and one half hours. Eight songs before the intermission, nine after, plus seven songs during three encore sessions—very generous. He mostly sang his known, popular songs—that is what was expected of him. The surprise was that his performance was even better than his recorded music. He carries the tune well, follows the script, and is strong and convincing. I never felt that I was looking at an "over the hill" aging star. He is completely "there," his diction is clear, and I could understand every word. The old verses gained new meanings. It was just beautiful. </p><br /><p>When he finally waived goodbye I wasn't sad. He wasn't gone. He looks good. He is doing what he does best. He is making people think and feel, feel and think. He will keep talking to us from his window high up in the Tower of Song.</p><br /><p>Leonard, thank you for giving us the gift of your golden voice.</p><p>Good luck to you on your tour! </p><br /><p>For more information on Leonard Cohen:<br /> <a href="http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/indez.html " target="_blank">http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/indez.html </a><br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Cohen" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Cohen</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>iwriteplayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718728329372938247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-8548473936632764822008-05-30T16:26:00.000-07:002008-05-30T17:19:27.719-07:00iPHONE TOUR OF THE SIMPSONS RIDELast week, I celebrated my birthday by going on the brand-new <em>The Simpsons</em>-themed ride at Universal Studios, Hollywood. I had my iPhone with me, so I took a few pictures. I'm a bit distracted by this thing my boss likes to call "work," so this is just going to be a quick-and-dirty review—don't expect Shakespeare.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/2514023449/" title="Krustyland by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2359/2514023449_e581a3e75f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Krustyland" /></a><br /><br />Here's the entrance to the ride. Being a huge <em>The Simpsons</em> nerd, I found the whole environment a bit too good to be true. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/2514685758/" title="Where nothing could possiblay go wrong. by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/2514685758_0cb5a12fcd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Where nothing could possiblay go wrong." /></a><br /><br />While you wait in line, they play clips from the show (most notably, from the episode "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itchy_&_Scratchy_Land" target="_blank">Itchy & Scratchy Land</a>") mixed in with new cartoons designed for the ride. One of the new bits features Cletus the slack-jawed yokel and his posse of children explaining how they cut costs at amusement parks by sneaking in food molded to look like "extra youngin's." (It's funnier in person.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/2514936070/" title="The midway by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/2514936070_20b0b4d532.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="The midway" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/2514936200/" title="More midway fun by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2320/2514936200_1898a1ae66.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="More midway fun" /></a><br /><br />Once you get through the maze and actually get inside the building, the waiting areas are designed to be a "midway" featuring Patty, Selma, Apu, Willy, and (my personal favorite) Hans Moleman.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/2514066221/" title="Krustyland ATM by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2012/2514066221_2a2cd6a605.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Krustyland ATM" /></a><br /><br />They have advertisements for Krustyland rides and attractions rotating on screens throughout the midway. My favorite was for "The Hall of Secretaries of the Interior" (clearly a spoof on the "Hall of Presidents" at Disney World), which advertised a waiting time of "0 minutes!"<br /><br />After the midway, you get ushered eight at a time to a holding room where Itchy & Scratchy explain the safety rules of the ride (wherein Scratchy gets multiple limbs severed) and you learn the premise of the ride... no spoilers here, but it involves Sideshow Bob.<br /><br />Park rules mandated that I couldn't take any pictures during the ride itself (not that I'd want to risk dropping my precious iPhone during the ride), but I will say that it's pretty awesome. It's one of those "simulated motion" rides where you're in a car that moves, while the action is projected onto an 80-foot screen in front of you. The ride was only mildly nauseating, and if you do start feeling ill you can always close your eyes. It's also a multisensory experience: depending on what's going on in the ride, you get sprinkled with water and get exposed to different scents. The writers for the ride did a good job making it funny (and full of Simpsons in-jokes), which should make it worth riding more than once.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/2514085731/" title="Signing autographs by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2293/2514085731_488a93d957.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Signing autographs" /></a><br /><br />At the end of the ride, you can even get autographs with the Simpson family!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>iwriteplayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718728329372938247noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-25891634714290525892008-05-16T00:43:00.001-07:002008-05-16T00:56:36.424-07:00SOMETMES THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT GETS SHIT RIGHT<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristinicole/2453932190/" title="Appeals Court/Sky by kristi.nicole, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2453932190_93f565e8b4.jpg" width="500" height="337" alt="Appeals Court/Sky" /></a><br /><br />Today is one of those days. You're living under a rock if you didn't hear that the California Supreme Court <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080516013347.668wf0ld&show_article=1">overturned the states gay marriage ban</a>.<br /><span class="lingo_region"><blockquote>"The ruling added that all California couples had a "basic civil right" to marry "without regard to their sexual orientation.""<br /></blockquote>Well no shit. I'm still astounded this has taken so damn long. This is California for christ's sake, I'm pretty sure you can marry your dog here. Hopefully my fair city will be celebrating in proper fashion this weekend. I'm expecting nothing less.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Note: the photo above is of the Federal Appeals Court in New Orleans because let's face who really wants to go to Sacramento. I know I don't.) </span><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>-Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219605016191141923noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-54135600448572590562008-05-07T17:26:00.000-07:002008-05-07T17:28:52.289-07:00WHY GOOGLE MAPS RULES MY WORLDLet's say you get into a heated debate about where to find the best ice cream in Los Angeles. You think <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/scoops-los-angeles" target="_blank">Scoops</a> is the most delicious ice cream in not just L.A., but the whole wide world. Your misinformed friend, however, thinks <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/diddy-riese-cookies-los-angeles" target="_blank">Diddy Riese</a> is superior because you can get an ice cream sandwich for a buck-fifty. As your argument over the relative merits of brown bread ice cream versus two freshly-baked cookies becomes more heated, you decide the only way to resolve this debate is to jump in the car and sample both varieties for yourself.<br /><br />Right now, at 5:15pm on a Wednesday, this is what your trip would look like:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/2474174471/" title="Wednesday at 5:00pm by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/2474174471_6afd189ac2_o.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Wednesday at 5:00pm" /></a><br /><br />Not so pretty. The 405 and the 110 will make you want to cry, and then you'll be in a bad mood for ice cream. <br /><br />Now this is why <a href="http://maps.google.com/" target="_blank">Google Maps</a> is awesome for an Angeleno. They've added a function where you can check average traffic conditions for any day of the week, between the hours of 5 AM and 9 PM. This way you can find an optimal time to go on your ice cream adventure:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/2474174435/" title="Sunday at 2:30pm by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2217/2474174435_8fe2806b20_o.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Sunday at 2:30pm" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/2474174481/" title="Friday at 6:15pm by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2406/2474174481_6a0e9b3038_o.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Friday at 6:15pm" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwriteplays/2474989932/" title="Tuesday at 12:45pm by iwriteplays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/2474989932_94856d919c_o.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Tuesday at 12:45pm" /></a><br /><br />I'd choose Tuesday at lunchtime, wouldn't you?<br /><br />This new function is perfectly designed for the traffic-addled residents of Los Angeles. Bravo, Google. Bravo.<br /><br />P.S. The aforementioned ice cream debate is clearly fictional, as everyone knows that <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/scoops-los-angeles" target="_blank">Scoops</a> has the best ice cream on the planet.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>iwriteplayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718728329372938247noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823678452784485126.post-31448523279919241022008-04-18T00:46:00.000-07:002008-04-19T11:42:33.687-07:00LA TIMES BOOK FESTIVAL - APRIL 26&27Half of the Pico crew is heading to New Orleans for Jazzfest, as such another year's <a href="http://www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks/index.html">LA Times Festival of Books</a> is going to pass me by. Dammit! Some panels I wouldn't miss if I were in town:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">SATURDAY</span><br /></span><br />11:30 AM<br />Fiction: Grace Under Pressure<br /> <b>Moderator</b> Ms. Barbara Isenberg<br /> Mr. Bruce Bauman<br /> Ms. Gina Nahai (I said this last year but it bears repeating, she's a lovely writer and personal favorite.)<br /><br />12:30 PM<br />Gore Vidal in Conversation with Jane Smiley (his books are too long, and something tells me he's a blowhard, but it might be interesting, probably not though)<br /><br />10:30 AM<br />Fiction: Urban Renewal<br /> <b>Moderator</b> Mr. Scott Timberg<br /> Mr. Charles Bock<br />Ms. Janet Fitch (She's good, very, very good)<br /><br /> 4:30 PM<br /> Ray Bradbury with an Introduction from Sid Stebel<br /><br /><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">SUNDAY</span><br /></b>10:30 AM (@<b>Royce Hall) </b><br />The Lyrical Line: Conversation & Music with Aimee Mann & Joe Henry<br /> <b>Interviewer</b> Mr. Steve Almond<br /> Mr. Joe Henry<br /> Ms. Aimee Mann (need I say more)<br /><br />12:00 PM<br />Surf Culture: Shooting the Tube<br /> <b>Moderator</b> Mr. Antoine Wilson<br /> Mr. Steve Hawk (former Editor of <span style="font-style: italic;">Surfer</span>)<br /> Mr. Steven Kotler<br /> Mr. Kem Nunn (co-produced <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_from_Cincinnati"><span style="font-style: italic;">John From Cincinnati</span></a>)<br /> Mr. David Rensin<br /><br />12:35 PM<br />Cheech Marin (I hear great things about this book, frankly it's Cheech, he can just fold his socks and I'll probably find it funny)<br />Author, "Cheech the School Bus Driver"<br /><br /><br />Event Info:<br />Looks like tickets are $0.75 this year and available at <a href="http://www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks/ticketing.html">ticketmaster starting April 20.</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>-Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219605016191141923noreply@blogger.com2