We're back, and we're bald. Well...I am bald. You probably don't need me to tell you that part of the whole cancer deal is losing your hair. Mine went pretty quickly. Within a couple of weeks, I had pulled out so many clumps that I looked like my former two-year-old self. It scared me at first, and I cried.
Hair today, gone tomorrow.
Everyone told me being bald is cool, and my hair would grow back thicker and fuller than ever. By the time I was ready to take it all off, I was ok. There is something liberating about shaving your head. And it will be exciting to have it come in its natural color and texture--although I have no idea what they are.
The head-shaving honors went to Floyd's 99 in Burbank. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I went to pick my dad up from the airport and spotted their shop on Hollywood Way, so we stopped on the way back. A nice lady named Shan with a rainbow mohawk took it all off (and photobombed my first pic).
Scenes from Burbank and Toluca Lake on the side of Floyd's 99.
On Sunday, I took my dad to the Hollywood Farmers Market. "Why haven't you brought me here before?" he asked. I couldn't believe it either. We marveled over mushrooms...
...lilacs, strawberries, oysters, sunchokes and much more. I did the "Excuse Me, Sorry, Sorry" Shuffle with Joel McHale (in mustard pants!).
We also stopped briefly at the Trebek Open Space in the Hollywood Hills. This place fascinates me. It's right next door to Runyon Canyon--the busiest hike in L.A., and yet there's almost no one there. The trail is pretty rugged and not something I can do while on chemotherapy, but I could still take in the beautiful view of the hills...
...and snap a pic of these lovely wildflowers.
I'd like to take a moment to pay respect to one of my favorite restaurants in L.A.--Ganda Thai--which recently closed. It was my biggest foodie shock since the closing of Antojitos Carmen in Boyle Heights.
I couldn't find any information on why its closed, just that the space is now occupied by Pa Ord #3. Ganda served up the most soul-warming Tom Yum, and of course, their famous crispy catfish, which has been lauded in numerous publications. My colleague TT and I loved to hit the place up for lunch. We even made a little video about it. You will missed, Ganda. RIP.
So, six months of chemotherapy puts a damper on living the L.A nightlife. But if I could get out and do stuff, this is the stuff I would be doing. I thought you might be interested.
I've been dying to check out the Pacific Opera Project. They're like an indie opera company with productions at small venues around the city, all for a fraction of what you pay at the L.A. Opera. I actually had tickets for their Carmen, but couldn't attend as I was recovering from surgery.
The photo below looks a bit like the Renaissance Fair on Acid, but I still think it's going to be good. Check it out, and buy tickets here.
Also on my wish list: Lucha Vavoom. The raucous Cinco de Mayo show is coming up, and the second night has already sold out. Seriously, if you are looking for the créme de la créme in Mexican wrestling and burlesque, Lucha Vavoom is where it's at.
I had been searching for the film Locke on Netflix with no luck--because guess what? It's just now in theaters. I love Tom Hardy, and even more, Broadchurch's Olivia Colman, as I noted in my last post. Plus, I always get excited for a good psychological thriller. Even better when it's British.
Another must-see movie event: Alphaville. The sci-fi New Wave film making a revival at the Nuart this week. I've always wanted to see this on the big screen...and just maybe I'll get to do it.
In researching an image for Alphaville, I came across this wonderful site: Joyless Creatures--the Twin Cities' First Magazine Devoted To Movies. There are some compelling reviews and essays here. I highly recommend it.
The New Voices II concert will feature works by Thomas Meadowcraft, Joe Lake, Sabrina Schroeder and others. In conjunction with the concerts are the Sunday Morning Films at the Goethe Institut/Los Angeles. If anyone tells you L.A. has no intellectual life, just tell them we have a freaking Goethe Institut.
Now, if you'll excuse me--I'm off to try out this Red Cabbage and Apple soup recipe from the New York Times. FYI--cabbage is an anti-cancer superfood!
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