Point Break -- Creative Live Performance

Went to see this without any expectations...wow! What a trip. I can't even explain what this is all about in words. Basically, if you've seen the movie "Point Break," it's a live version of the movie set in a seedy downtown bar (Charlie O's at the Alexandria Hotel), with a rudimentary set, and lots of scantily clad surfer dudes running around with a couple hyperactive ladies....and the kicker is...Keanu Reeves' character in the movie, Johnny Utah, an undercover FBI agent, is played by an audience member!! They have a casting call at the beginning, and whoever wins by hand clap popular vote gets to be Johnny Utah! The thought is, Keanu Reeves is such a bad actor that anyone from the audience can do his lines. The worse it gets, the better it gets. Anyways, lots of laughs in this hilarious, low budget, spoof on a classic 80's surf/bank robber/Keanu film. Further affirmation that Downtown LA is at the cutting edge...if you've got a free Friday or Saturday night, go check it out...see above for info.

Ernie gets a new toy!

Ernie's first lobster dinner. He was so excited to get his lobster chew toy that he was really obedient. Below, you can see his snaggletooth!

UCLA upsets Cal in the Last 3 minutes!

I have never been to a tailgate party. I know, really sad. But, today was my first tailgate, and I got to cheer on my adopted school UCLA (I was a resident at Harbor-UCLA, so, I'm kind of related)



After lifting two crates full of about 200 beers and lots of ice, we are all passed out. Seriously.



Renita pounding the last beer before getting into the Rose Bowl.



The UCLA and Cal crew cheering their respective teams on! UCLA intercepts the ball on the Cal 30 with 3 minutes left to win 30 to 21. If Cal didn't turnover the ball though, they most likely would have at least kicked a field goal to take UCLA 24-23...



But that didn't happen!

Sweet Art Show

The nighttime art show entitled "Slow Dancing" by David Michalek at the Music Center courtyard tonight was one of the most unique and soul stirring art shows I've ever witnessed. There were four 16 foot screens onto which were projected high definition images of dance artists from around the world. The catch is, only five seconds of dance from each artist is filmed in hi-def, and then played in super slo-mo so that those 5 seconds translate into 10 minutes of "almost still" dancing. It was a trip to see the purposeful and graceful movements of these dancers slowly evolving as still lifes. There was something primitively beautiful about the different types of dance being portrayed by all kinds of people. At the same time, it was haunting and surreal to see these 10 foot tall people moving at a snail's pace on screens. I almost felt like these were dancer's "trapped" in a cage of sorts, while we voyeuristically observed their movements. Another great message was that all people, no matter, race, creed, or gender, have expressed themselves throughout time to the highest degree through dance. It almost seemed like "dance" was a condensed history of human experiences based on culture and tradition. Heck, there was an asian pregnant woman jumping around in slo-mo doing things I have never done on the dance floor. To top it all off, KCRW's very own Jason Bentley (an idol of mine) kept the momentum going...although we were a little disappointed to note that he was using Traktor DJ and was not mixing, or even beat matching many of the songs. No matter, I was fortunate enough to shake his hand and tell him that he "inspired me". It was a sweet art show.

LCD Soundsystem & Arcade Fire at the Bowl

The last concert at the Hollywood Bowl this season was also the best. Brent got us tickets to see this dynamic duo and they did not disappoint. They both delivered great live performances of new and old songs and the crowd was on their feet by the end. Frontman James Murphy of LCD threw in some remarks which I thought were great. In between songs, he said, "Wanna know something weird?...this is our job." I got a real kick out of that.

EVO update

EVO, the loft being built next to mine, is progressing at a rapid pace. They are currently setting up the framework to pour the 19th floor. People have started moving into LUMA, the other loft complex adjacent to ours. Pretty soon, there will be quite a few residents hanging around the block. I just hope the patch of grass where my dog Ernie does his thing doesn't have turds all over it...it's incredible how many dog owners DO NOT clean up after their pooch...I wish I had a secret camera so that I could post their picture on some website somewhere. Actually, that's a really good idea...people who don't clean up after their pet should be embarrassed and penalized by having their picture posted on a website....hmmmm...www.poohead.com. I hope that website isn't already taken.

Gettin' outta da heat in LA!

Went to Lake Tahoe for Labor Day weekend which ended up being the right move. A heat wave hit LA that brought near record temperatures and humidity. Lake Tahoe was a pleasant 85 degrees during the day and 40's at night. Even caught two Rainbow Trout.