September Recap

It's been a while since I posted a month-recap, but September went by pretty fast and there were some nice moments I'd like to remember.

Saw Yuna at Grand Performances in Downtown.  This free show was over capacity.  The planners didn't realize how big Yuna was when they booked her.  Of course she agreed to do a free show, she lives in DTLA!

Though we had to stand, the view was great.  I caught her waving to us.  I wish Jimmy was there.

Afterward we enjoyed some street tacos at the carwash station near my house.  It wasn't as good as our go to Taco Zone, but I'm glad I tried it.

Thanks to Andrew, I got to see White People Culture Show at the Bootleg Theatre.

White people are really interesting and exotic.  I love their traditional folk dance.  Though it looked like they were being possessed, I'm sure it has some culture relevance to their faith.  It was pretty inspirational.  Only in LA do we get an opportunity to get exposed to so many cultures.

Alysia is having a tough year.  So I was happy that we got a chance to hang out at Manhattan Beach.  We jumped in the water and had some ice cream.  I love her.

I'm impressed with the 626 Nightmarket and their integration of youth culture.  They hire popular youtube personalities and have live art by really talented people.  The food... I wouldn't come for the food since the lines are terrible, but it's great energy and perfect for the community.  Here's Carlo taking pastry dick.

I made it out to see Joe survive his Malibu Triathalon.  I could say that I plan on accomplishing this in my life, but that's a lie.  I ran into a friend who was blending from his joints.  He told me that he ate it on his bike and couldn't finish it because his bike was warped.  Sucks so much.  I lent him my phone which he was thankful for.  I wore this giraffe shirt that Joe got me a while back.  Wanted to show him that I appreciated that thought even though it's 2 sizes too small for my fat torso.

Battle of the Bands industry event.  Lots of good memories here in previous years.  I go mainly to reminisce and run into old work friends.

Monterey Park has their own night market.  But it has a more local for the smaller community vibe.  The only people in attendance seem to be the ones from Monterey Park.  The 626 night market includes all asians in a 20 mile radius.  I enjoyed a sticky rice burger from a Thai restaurant in DTLA.

We checked out the Step and Repeat exhibit at the MOCA and took a picture at the step and repeat, but they never posted it.  They only posted photos of what Jimmy calls - Try Hards.  I'm glad I snagged these gems from the camera preview before they're gone forever.

Game Haus is amazing - a huge library of boardgames.  $5 admission and there's no time limit.  I just wish I knew how to play all the games before coming.  The time it takes to read and understand the rules is such a waste.  The highlight of the night was a retro game called Compatibility.  Really silly, but really fun!

We went on a hike to see the Sturtevant Falls pictured above, but what we got was the California drought.  This is serious guys.

Steve invited me to watch his performance in Chinatown.  It was Confucius day so the nearby school had an event.  Steve is really talented - composed music for some films.  He picked up the pipa which is a Chinese instrument.  Charles came late and missed the performance, but he got to practice his calligraphy instead.

The other night we had a jam session at 321.  Jimmy on keyboard and Steve on the ukelele.  We sang along and Phinn did a rap, it was sort of perfect.

September ended quietly with a game of monopoly. My body was shutting off, but I suddenly got a second wind when I started picking up property.   When you make money your body wakes up apparently.

Sam Smith Concert at the Greek Theatre LA

For Jimmy's birthday I bought him Sam Smith tickets.  I remembered at Coachella Jimmy was so excited when Sam Smith when he came on during the Disclosure set as a guest.  I could recall his smile and energy as we pushed our way closer to the stage. 

When I learned that Sam Smith was coming to LA I hunted for tickets and only lucked out when Sam Smith released a second day.  I was day dreaming about keeping it a secret until we were in front of the venue.  A couple of weeks before the date, Jimmy asked me if I wanted to go to the concert because our friend had two extra tickets.  Well fuck.  The jig was up and I told him I got him tickets for his birthday.  So much for it being a surprise. 

We didn't take many pictures.  My iPhone 4S is terrible in low light, but the only important picture is the one of us.  Everything else I was able to snag off instagram.  Thank you hashtag and geotags!  The credit for these pictures are in the file name.

If only we were this close!  But Jimmy and I got pretty good seats.  Better seats than what our friends were offering.  Heehee.

Though I suppose no seat in the house is that terrible.  The Greek is a great outdoor venue.  Go LA!  Though there were these two really drunk older ladies.  One fell over when she tried to grab her phone when she dropped it in the row in front of her.  "Do you need help?" responded the tween in front of her.  Hilarious. 

Sam Smith had everyone pull out their cellphones to light up the theater.  Pretty magical.

I took this video. So sweet. Sam Smith announced that aside from Stevie Wonder he prefers female diva singers. Which is why he did that cover of Whitney Houston. He's amazing live - lots of chills.  Here is a longer version.

Afterward we enjoyed a slice of Strawberry Pie at House of Pies in Los Feliz until Prime Time for Lyft was over.  Happy Birthday Jimmy.

October Recap

October is always a busy month with a ton of birthdays.  This is a recap of what happened!




Jimmy left his costco gummy vitamins in the car which caused it to melt into a wad
Charles reminded everyone how flexible he is
We finally threw away the frozen chicken that was in our freezer since 2009... made me sad because I'm sentimental



We celebrated JLo's Birthday at Grand Park during the Filipino Festival



We celebrated Steve's birthday by sort of playing a complicated game at his place.  We also played mafia and watched some tv.  Definitely more low key than usual.

For Erik's birthday we had a nice potluck... I didn't take any pictures but it was a surprise party.  It was something he needed since he doesn't think anyone would visit him at his new home in the Valley.



We supported Andrew's kickstarter for his film!



We visited San Jose.  Here is Jimmy near the San Jose state area

Alysia finally moved out of her place in where she had issues with the neighbors.   We got ice cream as a good bye to Whittier.  This place is so obnoxious to get to because our house was at one point of the triangle and her house was at the opposite end where the center of the hypotenuse was... if the highway path was represented by the triangle.





We did Ciclavia in East LA which was a lot of fun.




Eating Out October
Honey Badger Chicken Wings
Pizza Rev - Custom Pizza
Kazunori Sushi
Dan dan mien
Honey Badger Homemade Noodles
Coco Ichibanya Curry - level 4 is too spicy!
Dumplings
Ramen Burger - meh
Little Sister - Vermicelli Noodles
Hyperion Cafe - chilaquiles (meh)
China Chen (San Jose) - Surprisingly the only places that makes Bot Chien
Van's Bakery - Macaron Ice scream sandwich - Milk and Ceral with caramelized frosted flakes - AMAZING!

September - Misc

This is awkward.  Well the awkward family photo happening at the Korean Friendship bell i Long Beach in the background is awkward.  But what's equally awkward is posting something from September the next year.    But how could I miss posting about my hair in food?!?

Hairchive: I found my hair very tall in September, but also very wild when I got closer to the ocean. Loose strands everywhere!

Eating Out September. 

It was a lot of food.  Thai, Chinese Seafood, Szechwan, Korean, Gourmet Burgers.

Silverlake Chandelier Tree

There's something about checking something off my list that feels so satisfying.  Last week we finally checked out the Silverlake Chandelier Tree.  We were lucky that it was lit because a few of our friends have gone before and were disappointed.

The owner of this property has background in electrical work and thought it would be nice to hang a chandelier.  Soon he started collecting and the tree became a landmark.

It's definitely a pleasant view during a night jog.  There's a cute parking meter repurposed to accept donations because electricity is expensive.

Each one has its own personality.

Read / Learn More on LA Curbed

Makes me happy!

Grand Canyon Road Trip - PART 3 - Route 66

Jimmy asked if we could drive down Historic Route 66 to stop by some interesting places on our way home.  It would be an hour slower than taking the main freeway, but I was down for an adventure!

My egg's benedict in the sleepy city of Flagstaff, Arizona.  Fuel for our trip!

I made Jimmy drive 20 minutes to get this stupid picture.  It was a good picture in my head with that Arizona sign, the city in the valley and mountains in the background.  But it just didn't translate.  I was being whiney with the heat and passive aggressive and Jimmy, being the wonderful person that he was drove back around for me to snag this.  Silly silly.

This is our first Route 66 stop.  Jimmy took some desert photos which included cowboy hats and a toy horse.  That picture is on facebook.

The roads are windy and narrow.  The route is definitely historic.  There were many abandoned looking lots along the road.

We stopped by Oatman Town which "refuses to die."  A step in time with burros or mules walking around casually.  If it wasn't for tourist cars parked along the road would you think you were on a movie. Set.

Jimmy humors me.

And here we are!  Roy;s Motel and Cafe.  Jimmy took some amazing fashion pictures.  I tried to be his photographer, but failed epically when I didn't noticed wrinkles in his shirt or the button that wasn't buttoned.  He was a bit frustrated with those pics, but happy to get some good shots out it.

I'm glad this place still exists.  It could easily be abandoned, but the cafe is functional.

Route 66 Selfie!  It was so hot.

1149 Miles. 18 hours and 15 minutes round trip.  It might seem inefficient, but it was the best for what we wanted to see.  There were a few Native American monuments one hour from Flagstaff that I was interested in, but Roy's Cafe was much better... oh and being in bed before midnight  is also much better.