Showing posts with label camellias. Show all posts
Showing posts with label camellias. Show all posts
November 28, 2014
January 25, 2014
new year.
Hi! We're back...and very excited for 2014. Let's take a look at the year so far.
On New Year's Day, I flew back from Minneapolis, just as the Land of 10,000 Lakes was welcoming the Polar Vortex. Please, don't ask me to explain this. Wikipedia it or something. Apparently, I just escaped the worst of it.
In case you were wondering what -10 degrees looks like, here it is.
It's funny, because I don't remember the frigid temperatures ever stopping us, even when we were kids. Of course, that may be because my mom would zip up our snowsuits, show us out the door--and lock it behind us.
I always think about what it's like way up North. It gets really cold up on the Iron Range--I mean, Siberian cold. And I think about how Minnesota's original settlers survived the winters--so many must have died harrowing deaths. Animals, too.
My cousin posted this fascinating (and horrific) article from the Minnesota Post, reminding of The Children's Blizzard, a book I've been wanting to read forever.
There were some great moments while I was back. Every member of my family attended my grandmother's funeral, and I got to catch up with cousins I hadn't seen in years. I drank some great coffee...
...just for reference, my current favorite spots for coffee in Minneapolis are Peace Coffee in Longfellow, Anodyne on Nicollet and The Coffee Shop in Northeast. But seriously, there are so many little hippie coffee shops that dot the Twin Cities, you can never go wrong.
Even though I had a great time, the temps kept plunging further and further below zero. By New Year's Day, I could not fly home fast enough.
Never have I been so happy to return to L.A.
This month has basically been about catching up on work, hiking...
For the life of me, I cannot understand the fuss surrounding Gravity. It's a deeply terrible movie, a special-effects-and-star-power extravaganza devoid of any story, character or emotional resonance. It's like they got Bullock and Clooney to host the Space Mountain ride at Disneyland.
But this gallery of alternative poster art for Gravity is incredibly cool.
I celebrated my 44th birthday (God help me) at a couple of restaurants I've been wanting to try:
Connie and Ted's in West Hollywood (one of two places in L.A. where you can order clams with the bellies attached) and Bar Ama downtown.
...roamed around The Last Bookstore...
...and lounged at the new Tierra Mia in Echo Park..
For reference, my current favorite places for coffee in L.A. are Tierra Mia, the Coffee Commissary (three locations, but I'm partial to Burbank), Go Get 'Em Tiger and of course, Alfred.
And speaking of books--I read a couple in the last month. Let's take a look.
My sister insisted I read The Disaster Artist while we were in Minneapolis. It is SO FREAKING GOOD I almost can't stand it. Can't remember when a book rocked my world this way.
Much more than just a "Ha ha, I was in a bad movie" memoir, it's a hilarious, moving and masterfully written account of film making and the Hollywood dream. Astoundingly good and highly recommended.
And now I have to go see The Room again.
Another tale of Hollywood--although this one didn't blow me away, it was a solid historical noir mystery set in early 50's L.A about the movie business, WWII and the McCarthy hearings. Only recommended if you're really into that kind of thing.
Back here in L.A., it's been the opposite of the Polar Vortex. Again, I have no idea what that is. Google it. While we usually do have an 80-degree heat wave in January, 2014's has lasted the entire month. Heat wave bonus: the camellias are starting to bloom. Heat wave drawback: thinking about what it's going to be like in August and September.
And of course, there are the sunsets. Like this one over the ocean in Palos Verdes.
That's all for now. I'm trying to do slightly shorter blog posts for the New Year, so they don't become so damn epic and time-consuming--and I can do more. See you soon.
On New Year's Day, I flew back from Minneapolis, just as the Land of 10,000 Lakes was welcoming the Polar Vortex. Please, don't ask me to explain this. Wikipedia it or something. Apparently, I just escaped the worst of it.
In case you were wondering what -10 degrees looks like, here it is.
Mother freaking cold. But awfully pretty.
It's funny, because I don't remember the frigid temperatures ever stopping us, even when we were kids. Of course, that may be because my mom would zip up our snowsuits, show us out the door--and lock it behind us.
Sledding time! Photo by @mshouska
I always think about what it's like way up North. It gets really cold up on the Iron Range--I mean, Siberian cold. And I think about how Minnesota's original settlers survived the winters--so many must have died harrowing deaths. Animals, too.
My cousin posted this fascinating (and horrific) article from the Minnesota Post, reminding of The Children's Blizzard, a book I've been wanting to read forever.
There were some great moments while I was back. Every member of my family attended my grandmother's funeral, and I got to catch up with cousins I hadn't seen in years. I drank some great coffee...
Just the scene you would expect on a place called "Peace Coffee."
...just for reference, my current favorite spots for coffee in Minneapolis are Peace Coffee in Longfellow, Anodyne on Nicollet and The Coffee Shop in Northeast. But seriously, there are so many little hippie coffee shops that dot the Twin Cities, you can never go wrong.
Even though I had a great time, the temps kept plunging further and further below zero. By New Year's Day, I could not fly home fast enough.
Somewhere over Nevada? Utah? Take your pick.
Never have I been so happy to return to L.A.
This month has basically been about catching up on work, hiking...
Look up!
...and over-hyped, Oscar-nominated movies.
Boogie Nights 2.0 with a dash of Goodfellas = American Hustle
Art by Peter Stults via Shortlist
For the life of me, I cannot understand the fuss surrounding Gravity. It's a deeply terrible movie, a special-effects-and-star-power extravaganza devoid of any story, character or emotional resonance. It's like they got Bullock and Clooney to host the Space Mountain ride at Disneyland.
But this gallery of alternative poster art for Gravity is incredibly cool.
I celebrated my 44th birthday (God help me) at a couple of restaurants I've been wanting to try:
Connie and Ted's in West Hollywood (one of two places in L.A. where you can order clams with the bellies attached) and Bar Ama downtown.
...and lounged at the new Tierra Mia in Echo Park..
For reference, my current favorite places for coffee in L.A. are Tierra Mia, the Coffee Commissary (three locations, but I'm partial to Burbank), Go Get 'Em Tiger and of course, Alfred.
And speaking of books--I read a couple in the last month. Let's take a look.
Oh, hi Mark.
My sister insisted I read The Disaster Artist while we were in Minneapolis. It is SO FREAKING GOOD I almost can't stand it. Can't remember when a book rocked my world this way.
Much more than just a "Ha ha, I was in a bad movie" memoir, it's a hilarious, moving and masterfully written account of film making and the Hollywood dream. Astoundingly good and highly recommended.
And now I have to go see The Room again.
Another tale of Hollywood--although this one didn't blow me away, it was a solid historical noir mystery set in early 50's L.A about the movie business, WWII and the McCarthy hearings. Only recommended if you're really into that kind of thing.
Back here in L.A., it's been the opposite of the Polar Vortex. Again, I have no idea what that is. Google it. While we usually do have an 80-degree heat wave in January, 2014's has lasted the entire month. Heat wave bonus: the camellias are starting to bloom. Heat wave drawback: thinking about what it's going to be like in August and September.
And of course, there are the sunsets. Like this one over the ocean in Palos Verdes.
That's all for now. I'm trying to do slightly shorter blog posts for the New Year, so they don't become so damn epic and time-consuming--and I can do more. See you soon.
May 7, 2013
love.
10 things I'm loving now. Here they are.
1. The Morning Glory Salad at Jitlada.
Much has been written about Jitlada and its exhaustive typewritten menu of authentic Southern Thai dishes and the walls lined with drawings by Matt Groening (a regular). So I don't need to re-hash it for you. But I will say that if I had to choose my one favorite dish since living in L.A., the Morning Glory Salad would be it.
I suppose I should explain what it is. I'll try: lightly deep-fried morning glory--the vegetable, not the flower--tossed with shrimp, cilantro, onions and tempura bits, all in this amazing lime dressing (they wouldn't tell me what was in it).
I had only had Americanized Thai food before moving to L.A., and I hated it. Sampling ThaiTown's strip mall holes-in-the-wall--and there are tons of them--has been quite an experience. Actually, my go-to for Thai these days is Ganda. Fish Tom Yum this first thing I ate after recovering from the flu this year. Jitlada is where I go for something special or to take out-of-towners.
One of my favorite food bloggers, Jo Stougaard of My Last Bite, has "trained" her taste buds to handle the unparalleled hotness of Jitlada dishes by first eating a habanero pepper a day, then graduating to a ghost pepper a day. That is dedication to a restaurant. She is determined to eat her way through the menu and you can see her progress on her flickr page.
2. Pho Café is another strip mall gem on the stretch of Sunset between Silverlake and Echo Park. I love it, because there are numerous vegetarian options, and it's super authentic--so I don't have to venture into the wilds of the San Gabriel Valley every time I crave pho.
On the other hand, it's in Silverlake, which...sigh, you know how I feel about this. Yet the food is worth enduring the Silverlake-esque conversations that surround you. On my last visit, I overheard a hip, young fella ask his dining companions whether he should get a tattoo of his face on his face.
I'm thinking of starting a feature on TTandCF called "Places that Make Silverlake Somewhat Bearable." What do you think?
3. Just started this--the audio version--and I'm loving it, a sweeping epic novel, the story of Logan Mountstuart, novelist, spy and art dealer, told the form of journal entries.
Once I'm finished, I'm looking forward to the Masterpiece Classic adaptation. Yes, I have become my parents.
4. Another feature I'd like to start on the blog is "I Can't Believe I've Never Been to..." I'm going to kick it off with Mariscos Chente, one of the top spots in the city for Sinaloan seafood. I finally made it over there (well, it is on the Westside!) and loved it. A total family-run vibe, burning-hot salsa, a jukebox, and I was the only gringa (or gaba as the Mexicans really say) in the place.
5. I love this photo of George Harrison.
6. Camellias blow my mind. Love them. They are like architectural Japanese dresses.
7. Sushi from Walgreen's. That's right. Also, shut up. It's incredibly good. Yes, it's of the "rock-n-roll" variety, which horrifies sushi purists, but I have become obsessed with it. I love the chefs who make it. They seem so proud of their creations and inform me every time I'm there, "Everything is made fresh today." And it is fresh, delicious and perfect for lunch.There are dragon rolls and "spicy chili rolls," all with lots of that crunchy stuff, and one day there was even a roll topped with diced strawberries--and yet, I'm not offended by any of it.
8. I love the sign at the Malibu Pier.
9. I am making a commitment to get to the beach more this year. I'm ashamed my dog has yet to experience the ocean, but beaches that allow dogs are few in the L.A. area. My friend Gerry told me about Mugu Point, near Leo Carrillo. Both dog-friendly. I see a pilgrimage some time in the near future.
10. I love these Pantone food pairings by Minneapolis-based graphic designer, David Schwen.
Thanks for checking the blog out. I'll be back soon. Love, L.
1. The Morning Glory Salad at Jitlada.
All photos by Toy Tanks, unless noted.
Much has been written about Jitlada and its exhaustive typewritten menu of authentic Southern Thai dishes and the walls lined with drawings by Matt Groening (a regular). So I don't need to re-hash it for you. But I will say that if I had to choose my one favorite dish since living in L.A., the Morning Glory Salad would be it.
I suppose I should explain what it is. I'll try: lightly deep-fried morning glory--the vegetable, not the flower--tossed with shrimp, cilantro, onions and tempura bits, all in this amazing lime dressing (they wouldn't tell me what was in it).
I had only had Americanized Thai food before moving to L.A., and I hated it. Sampling ThaiTown's strip mall holes-in-the-wall--and there are tons of them--has been quite an experience. Actually, my go-to for Thai these days is Ganda. Fish Tom Yum this first thing I ate after recovering from the flu this year. Jitlada is where I go for something special or to take out-of-towners.
One of my favorite food bloggers, Jo Stougaard of My Last Bite, has "trained" her taste buds to handle the unparalleled hotness of Jitlada dishes by first eating a habanero pepper a day, then graduating to a ghost pepper a day. That is dedication to a restaurant. She is determined to eat her way through the menu and you can see her progress on her flickr page.
On the other hand, it's in Silverlake, which...sigh, you know how I feel about this. Yet the food is worth enduring the Silverlake-esque conversations that surround you. On my last visit, I overheard a hip, young fella ask his dining companions whether he should get a tattoo of his face on his face.
I'm thinking of starting a feature on TTandCF called "Places that Make Silverlake Somewhat Bearable." What do you think?
3. Just started this--the audio version--and I'm loving it, a sweeping epic novel, the story of Logan Mountstuart, novelist, spy and art dealer, told the form of journal entries.
"We keep a journal to entrap that collection of selves
that forms us, the individual human being...
riotous and disorganized...I am all these different
people--all these different people are me."
Photo via pbs.org.
Once I'm finished, I'm looking forward to the Masterpiece Classic adaptation. Yes, I have become my parents.
4. Another feature I'd like to start on the blog is "I Can't Believe I've Never Been to..." I'm going to kick it off with Mariscos Chente, one of the top spots in the city for Sinaloan seafood. I finally made it over there (well, it is on the Westside!) and loved it. A total family-run vibe, burning-hot salsa, a jukebox, and I was the only gringa (or gaba as the Mexicans really say) in the place.
Photo by one of George's schoolmates, parents or siblings.
5. I love this photo of George Harrison.
6. Camellias blow my mind. Love them. They are like architectural Japanese dresses.
The Hollywood Walgreen's is not your mom's Walgreen's. Oh, no.
7. Sushi from Walgreen's. That's right. Also, shut up. It's incredibly good. Yes, it's of the "rock-n-roll" variety, which horrifies sushi purists, but I have become obsessed with it. I love the chefs who make it. They seem so proud of their creations and inform me every time I'm there, "Everything is made fresh today." And it is fresh, delicious and perfect for lunch.There are dragon rolls and "spicy chili rolls," all with lots of that crunchy stuff, and one day there was even a roll topped with diced strawberries--and yet, I'm not offended by any of it.
8. I love the sign at the Malibu Pier.
9. I am making a commitment to get to the beach more this year. I'm ashamed my dog has yet to experience the ocean, but beaches that allow dogs are few in the L.A. area. My friend Gerry told me about Mugu Point, near Leo Carrillo. Both dog-friendly. I see a pilgrimage some time in the near future.
Photos and original design by David Schwen.
10. I love these Pantone food pairings by Minneapolis-based graphic designer, David Schwen.
Thanks for checking the blog out. I'll be back soon. Love, L.
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