here in the Southland

So my parents are in town for the first time since I transplanted my person to the Coast that is West, which means being a total tourist.

Saturday we went to Aroma on Tujunga in Studio City for lunch where I created French Fry jenga with my mother, much to the joy of everyone present.

Then in the afternoon we hit the pits (La Brea, that is) and saw a crazy light installation at LACMA, where I totally fell and twisted my ankle.

Thanks to the wonders of physical therapy when I was in grad school, my ankle bounced back in a day, and it did not impede on the crazy itinerary I've set out for the 'rents. Then we had dinner at the Grove and saw The Thrilling Adventure Hour at Largo at Coronet, which EVERYONE SHOULD DO. It was AWESOME.

Sunday we went to the Getty Villa in the Palisades and then up to Malibu for lunch.
The Gettys have interesting taste.
The Chocolate Box Cafe at the Lumber Yard, btw, does not have good chocolate. In case you thought they might. That night we did the Hollywood/Highland thing.

Monday we drove to San Diego and stopped at Oceanside for lunch. Me gusta. We stayed at the Dana in Mission Bay, which is within walking distance of Sea World. Had dinner in Old Town, where I was finally converted to salsa consumption, and bought my dad's birthday and/or Christmas gift.

Also, I bought Mexican bingo. 'Cause why wouldn't I?

Tuesday we did Sea World. In line for one of the rides, some OC douche flicked a cigarette near a baby and the baby's dad confronted him, and there was nearly a brawl because, rather than apologize, the OC douche was like, oh, I should mouth off to a new father who kind of looks like he's in a gang or did jailtime. Seriously, some clothing came off. It was exhausting. I don't particularly like the concept of Sea World, but it didn't totally suck. Dinner was at Bread & Cie, which is in a bitch of a location for parking, but I quite enjoyed my turkey pesto sandwich.

Wednesday we drove back and stopped at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, which is where I would like to get married some day. We ate at El Adobe, which was fantastic, and then rested at home.

Today my wonderful roommate showed us around the Fox lot. We got lucky that the It's Always Sunny set was open and were permitted to walk on. I won't tell you what I saw (don't want to get anyone in trouble), but it was AWESOME. Well... maybe this photo is okay.

I'm psyched for the new season. Had lunch at Moe's (like the guy on The Simpsons) and bought a "It's Not Lupus" shirt from the studio store.

Went to Venice and walked around the canals, which are out of control gorgeous, and then hung out in Santa Monica, where I finally got the surfboard clock I've been wanting for two years.

Had dinner in Encino, came home and watched Iron Man in prep for manana (somehow my parents missed seeing it when it came out). And I'm almost positive I saw Spielberg drive past my street. I wouldn't bet a child's life on it, but maybe an old person who I didn't like too much.

So great week so far. Tomorrow is the last day. Then back to reality and all that awfulness.

the oil spill

When we play Russian roulette with our eco systems like we do with every offshore oil rig, we're not just biding our time until we mutilate our environment, we're also taking huge chances with the economies that depend on those environments. The Gulf's economy, what's left of it, is going to get screwed nine ways to Sunday by this spill. Even if you don't care about wildlife and think God put other living creatures on this planet for us to slaughter willy-nilly whether for food or fun, you should at least care about the way the spill is going to hurt the fishing and tourism industries. No one wants to swim in a wasteland or eat Maine lobster in the Big Easy. Anytime we put the environment in danger, we put ourselves in danger, period. So stop sneering at clean energy, Republicans, and understand that it's not just foreign oil we'd be smartest to stop depending on, but all oil. At the end of the day, offshore drilling is NOT worth the inevitable (and this spill was inevitable) price.

Martinique

My parents are coming tomorrow. Fellowship season is underway. I am not getting the amount of reading done required to finish 100 books in a year. Not that that's particularly important.

I've been reading Wideman's Martinique book, and I'm not loving it. His book is unfocused (purportedly on purpose) and he talks about Martinique almost solely through his lens of guilt at being "white" by being wealthy enough to go there as a tourist and having a Caucasian girlfriend. All of the history of slavery seems to converge upon the island, and he refuses to see a single islander as anything more than a byproduct of that terrible history. They do not appear to have any other qualities, and Wideman, so dismissive of fellow tourists, says he feels as if he is in a dream, yet I doubt the Martinicans feel this way, that they so box themselves in.
Yes, slavery is and its history remains a critical aspect of the development of Martinican culture, identity, and economic development, but it's not EVERYTHING. Germany and Germans are not all about Nazis. China and the Chinese are not all about Communism. Yes, the tourism industry with its catering to the upper-class, which in this case is largely European, can feel like not too far a leap from days prior. But Martinique is not the only place in the universe where a person's day job is to cater to someone of another race who has more money. This is practically universal. If you want to write a sociological study of tourism and what it means to Caribbean islands or Pacific islands or minorities in any given nation, do it. But don't throw all that weight on Martinique and call it a day.

I have to go to the gym, get my hair cut, clean my car, submit by CBS app, and go to Santa Monica today to pick up an air mattress and see Hot Tub Time Machine with a friend.

a good day

I had kind of a good day today. Did two hikes in the Walking L.A. book -- High Tower and Highland Bowl and the Whitley Heights one. Kind of killed me, but it was cool, and I also went to Lucky Devils for lunch, which was delicious. Found a Modern Library copy of Sons and Lovers in the giveaway cart at the Studio City library. May or may not go to a screening at the Fox lot tonight. Depends on if my exhaustion dissipates.

Goals this weekend: laundry, finish Modern Family spec, and go to the gym for a little bit. Maybe make some waffles since I accidentally bought 1% milk and I only drink skim...

regarding this awesome day

I love April Fools' Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!







Gotcha! I actually hate it.

Episode: Awesome

This blog is not going to be about reposting amazing videos, even though I've been doing that a lot lately. As soon as I do something interesting, I'll letcha know.
In the meantime...

AMAZING.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Weezer has no human friends, apparently

Do not watch this music video if you are on any illegal substances.

No, wait, scratch that. ONLY watch this music video if you are on illegal substances.