Tarantula Story - 1 page inbetween the middle and end

Sleeping Chinese People

At SleepingChinese.com , you get just that- a bunch of Chinese people sleeping in strange places. Enjoy!

Octo-Eva Straight Outta Downtown LA

Eva, the urban multi-tasker with an affinity for unusual hats.

And your fantastic narrator, Ryan Ebelt

Ryan's been a dear friend of mine here in Los Angeles. A modern day renaissance man who has become one of my wisest advisors. He is not only a talented writer but also a gifted painter. His gift storytelling is evident in both.

He has been writing a novel via his blog, Friends of Junior . Check it out!

For more of Ryan's wonderful work, check out his website

Someone's Dream Bed

From Apartment Therapy

From FailBlog.com - Diva Gina

Sadly, only in Los Angeles...

From Colorofchange.org

Dear friend,

On New Year's Eve, Oscar Grant was shot execution-style by a transit
police officer in Oakland, California. He was shot in the back while
face-down on a subway platform--unarmed and posing no threat.

Twelve days later--despite several videos showing exactly what
happened--the officer who killed Grant hasn't been arrested, charged,
or even questioned. He quit the force and has refused to speak. The
District Attorney has done nothing.

It's time to demand that California Attorney General Jerry Brown take
over the case and arrest Grant's killer, and to ask that the US
Department of Justice launch an independent investigation into the
conduct of local authorities. Please join me:

http://www.colorofchange.org/oscar/?id=2085-704439

Oscar Grant is the third man murdered by BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
police in the past 17 years. All three victims were Black and none
posed a serious threat. In each case, BART and county authorities have
failed to hold the officers accountable.

In the previous cases, BART's internal investigations concluded that
the officers felt threatened by the victims and were justified in
pulling the trigger. It's unbelievable given the circumstances of the
killings:

- In 1992, 19-year-old Jerrold Hall was shot in the back by a BART
officer as he tried to leave the parking lot of a station. The officer
was responding to reports of an armed robbery and said he suspected
that Hall and a friend were involved. The officer tried to detain the
two, Hall ran and then the officer shot him in the back and killed
him. Hall was unarmed, but the officer said he thought Hall was on his
way to get a gun and return for a showdown.

- In 2001, a mentally ill man named Bruce Seward was the next victim
of the rogue force. Seward, 42, was naked and had been sleeping on a
bench outside the BART station when an officer approached him. Seward
did grab the officer's nightstick at one point, but there were several
options for subduing him. Instead, the officer shot and killed him.

In addition to BART's internal investigation, Alameda County's
District Attorney is also investigating Oscar Grant's murder--but the
office's record on investigating police killings is horrible too. In
both cases just described, the District Attorney bought BART's
argument that the officers felt threatened. As a result, the cops were
cleared of any wrongdoing.

In the case of Grant's murder, the DA has already let 12 days pass
while doing essentially nothing--the officer who killed Grant is able
to travel and leave the state, and he's free to talk with other
officers and attempt to construct a story to justify his killing of
Oscar Grant.

The problem with Alameda County's DA goes beyond BART police murders.
In the past two years alone, there have been 11 fatal police shootings
in Oakland (not including that of Oscar Grant). When asked, the
officials at the District Attorney's office could not remember a
single case in the last 20 years where an on-duty cop had been charged
in a fatal shooting in Alameda County. It gives the clear appearance
that the District Attorney's office just doesn't have the will to
prosecute police crimes.

California's Attorney General needs to step in now and arrest Oscar
Grant's murderer. And the US Department of Justice should investigate
the failure of the authorities in Alameda County to act. It's the
first step towards justice. After that, we will push for systemic
changes to create public accountability for BART and other police
departments. Creating those structural changes will be a much longer
fight, but Oscar Grant's tragic death is a wake-up call that should
give us a real chance to help prevent this from happening again.

Please join me in demanding justice, and then ask your family and
friends to do the same:

http://www.colorofchange.org/oscar/?id=2085-704439

Thanks.

Marmol/Radzinger Desert Hot Springs Home

By local Los Angeles architectural firm, Marmol-Radziner . This home has suffered some severe price chops but still basks in all its desert glory.

See the listing here: Architecture For Sale

Camel Festival

Almost like the hearings on Capitol Hill, but fun!

George the Giant Lobster Is Free!

In happy news, George, the 140 lbs. Giant Lobster, was given freedom from his life in a tank at a NY seafood restaurant. Lobsters grow a pound every 7-10 years. So at 20 lbs, George probably has some great stories about the industrial revolution.

See more here: Huffington Post

Golden Globes 2009

30 Rock's Tracy Morgan Acceptance Speech

Congratulations to the casts and crews of 30 Rock and Slumdog Millionaire for their sweeping and deserving wins of the Golden Globes.

To the Screen Actors Guild,

Thank you for postponing your strike vote so that the Golden Globes could happen. Too bad your strike could possibly devastate this entire city over the non-potential that the internet will overtake television as our primary brainwasher within the next 3 years. Please vote wisely and take into consideration that the families of your crews may go through harsher times during your strike. And by the way you have taken up way too many parking spots in our building!

Who Is You? #14

I want to make friends with someone with the same name as you so I can have a buddy to call "Seabass" as a nickname. Sounds so tough sort of.




You = Sebastian the Crab from the Little Mermaid.

New Years Eve Charles

You can see Charles' directorial work here: Cerritos Burritos

This kid is amazing. (Old videos)

"Nothing Compares 2 U" Cover

By Gavin Castleton

International Spy Museum

Dear Secret Agents,

I'm planning a trip to your museum of espionage. Consider your phone shoe secrets foiled, my friends. I'm going to learn about the secret history of your secret history from people just like you at the International Spy Museum in Washington DC. OK, so who's coming with me?

Post Christmas Dilemma

So I got what I wanted: a Nerf gun. And now that the damage is done, I guess I'll go back to work.

I hope everyone is surviving their first day back at work. Happy Blue Monday!

2009

I hope every enjoys the new year and their opportunity to take on new goals. Like going to the dentist or avoiding dairy.

This Is Where We Live - 4th Estate

This Is Where We Live from 4th Estate on Vimeo.

Marisa

And a home video of my Christmas in the Bay Area ...

OK, so it's not an actual home video from Christmas, but actually the overture to Jesus Christ Superstar. Close enough.

Christmas in the Bay Area/Sacramento was lovely. It was cold enough to wear everything in my suitcase at once, but it was worth it.

While times are hard, my family decided to be a little more innovative with their gift giving. For instance, Auntie Beth stitched up some amazing stuffed dolls from old sweaters and blankets. Tita Mynna and Dawn treated the family to sushi. Auntie Des and Brice managed to challenge the entire family to a walk-off. My mother, though, probably wins the award for strangest presents given this Christmas.

Some of her notable gifts:
• "potato battery" for my Uncle Les - My uncle has a knack for gadgets and manages to have latest and coolest toys before anyone else. As a joke, his wife/my aunt suggested that what he needed was electricity. To which my mom responded confidently, "I can make that!" And packed a potato (on which I drew his face) and a couple copper wires creating a working potato battery.

• Polveron and Food For the Gods for Auntie Des and Auntie Risa - Favorite Filipino snacks packed to perfection by my dad.

• Doily for my Auntie Beth - My mother told my aunt, "For you, I'm going to make a doily!" Doubtful, yet nicely, my aunt replied "Really?". My mother actually made one.

• Beibi Brews Beer for Uncle Brice - When asked what he liked, Uncle Brice answered, "I like beer". So my mom said, "I can make that." And on Christmas, Uncle Brice unwrapped 3 bottles of Blue Moon re-labeled by my mother. The sharpie and masking tape labels read "Beibi Brews" (Beibi = her nickname) and taped them all over the bottle.

• "Super Titi" and Jello Shots for Uncle Monch - Who knew that there were Shrimp chip snacks called Super Titi? My mother apparently. She only bought these because "Titi" was in the name. To those who aren't familiar with Filipino slang, "titi" refers to a penis. Well to go further with this elaborate filthy joke present, her jello shots were made in her easter egg jello molds. So when anyone looked at the present, my mother helpfully reminded, "SEE, THEY'RE EGGS!" to make the ultimate phallic experience.

So afterwards we make hot chocolate and churros (from scratch-- we wouldn't have it any other way!) shaped like sperm and crucifixes (for Grandma). Played with Kristen's batwings, nerf guns and r/c tarantula (Yes, that was from us) Watched more Mamma Mia Sing A Long and Jesus Christ Superstar. (My father proudly reminds me that he was a priest in his high school production of the rock opera. This is evident in his memorization of EVERY LYRIC) Gotta love my family! (The only people reading this...)

Cher Draws Little Anne

By the very talented Cher Grepo

Wild Eyed

Because my good friend, Eric, is visiting from Tokyo. I'm paying tribute to one of the phrases he says a lot- "wild eyed". For most part, describes most homeless and/or drunk hooligans who are ready to give a pounding. So here is a collection of people with wild eyes.

Because Everyone Loves Poo

The Sprinkle Brigade is here to provide you with the true definition of street art: dog poop sculptures. While we may just dismiss these abandoned terds, the Sprinkles see art.

Thanks, B

Love By Mail

Petition for Sustainable Agriculture

Now that President Obama has been elected, it's time to let him know that it's important to choose someone competent in sustainable ecological and agricultural principles as his Secretary of Agriculture.

Sign the petition here.

Happy Birthday, Supergirl!

Happy 45th Birthday, Helen Slater!

Note: Supergirl was one of my obsessions when I was younger and I still came out alright. Sort of.

Another cool house

"Shell House" by Kotaro Ide

Nate's bad day

Pigeons hate Nate.

An Assistant's Fantasy

This is a picture of Claire and her boss as a bee.

A cool illustration frm Rome, Italy

Assorted Illustrator and Photoshop Fun

Mike at his best

Last resort for art school application


A tribute to San Francisco
A reminder to Cher that I'm waiting for her to draw me...

Gotta Love Cats

From I Can Haz Cheezbuger

Manny Pacquiao vs Oscar De La Hoya: The Pride Tenderizer

I'm no boxing fan. In fact, if it weren't for some of my friends' excitement, I wouldn't have even known about this fight.

De La Hoya vs Pacquiao. A dream fight, as some described. But why? Oh I see now-- it gets pretty exciting watching people get punched and sweat and bleed.

That little guy sure knows how to punch.

My favorite line came from announcer Jim Lampley (I think) "Pacquiao has now re-arranged De La Hoya's once beautiful face"

Scariest sound in the world

A ticking clock

I don't understand

by Antonio Berardi

Thanks, Cher

Instant Architect

"Found"

16 x 20 acrylic on canvas

For newlyweds, Auntie Des and Uncle Brice

The Birthday Boys

Mike, Jeff and Chris work with me and are 3/5 of the sketch comedy group,the Birthday Boys. So last night, I went to the Upright Citizens Brigade theater to see what people were talking about. And guess what? They were actually funny.

An interesting fact about the Birthday Boys is that they all live together in one big sized house of brainstorm. This is evident in their sketches through their themes of insecurity, groupthink, and absurdity. Most importantly it shows that they like what they're doing and in result, we like them and their work too.

See them every 1st Wednesday of the month at the UCB Theater in Hollywood. Or here: The Birthday Boys

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My mom with her pet basil plant, Basilio.

Movie Review: No Country For Old Men

No Country For Old Men, 2007
dir. Ethan and Joel Coen
Drama, 122 mins

Unbelievably well executed.


I was late to see this Oscar flick because everyone had already seen it before me.

Frank Sinatra's Twin Palms

Another dreamy Palm Springs getaway by architect E Stewart Williams, but this time Frank Sinatra lived in it so the demand is much higher. Personally I would prefer the Kaufman House over this house any day, but I most certainly wouldn't complain about this one. On the market now for $3.25 mil/$14000 a month to rent.

Learn more here: Twin Palms

Movie Review: Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire
dir. Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan
comedy/crime/drama/romance, 120 mins.


Slumdog Millionaire was the feel good movie of the year. The story takes the audience on a crowd pleasing and emotional trip through modern India. Boyle/Tandan seamlessly go through time and space romancing the story in order to keep us hungry for more plot. Perfect pacing for a very full romance. The performances were convincing and there wasn't a dull moment.

Go watch it.

How was Thanksgiving, Anne?

My mother (as mentioned in a previous post) hosted this year's Thanksgiving. She hurdled up about 40 of our closest relatives into our home despite the fact that we owned maybe 10 chairs altogether.In true Filipino tradition, everyone brought something to consume. From mashed potatoes and salad to bibinka (a dessert made with coconut milk) and lengua (beef tongue), our Thanksgiving meal spanned continents. The food probably took up about 3 normal length dining room tables.

Uncle Ed, an old white uncle, managed to bring Balut. Surely from the outside it appears to be a normal egg. However, once the eggshell is cracked, your dinner is revealed: an "almost" baby chick. This, to me, has always been the most horrifying of Filipino cuisine. It's difficult for me even to be in the same room with someone eating it. So leave it to my mother to torment our "non-Filipino" relatives and loved ones and force them to eat it. (Yes, we are a very diverse family) My mother's method of psychological hazing almost appears to be a "welcome" to the family or just a joke at their expense. I'm still not quite sure. Loud laughter from our doors could be heard blocks away.

After I had caught up with my relatives, some of us explored the world of Rockband. (My father would like to add the disclaimer that Rockband is NOT a performance art and that he has the REAL thing in his office.) Yes even my grandma played the guitar to Ballroom Blitz. Or was it Gimme Shelter? I can't remember.

Overall, an exhausting and rewarding holiday. Typically unorthodox, just like my unbelievably cool family. Maybe you'll be invited next year.

Aspirational

From Ricky Gervais Obviously

Movie Review: Twilight

Bad story only leads to a bad movie. Even Catherine Hardwicke's indie style couldn't save this sinking ship. I enjoyed the young girls screaming for America's new undead dreamboat, Robert Pattinson. That and all the ridiculously portrayed vampire scenes at which Grace and I couldn't resist laughing wholeheartedly. It was a disaster waiting to happen, but at least we came out with a new arsenal of badly written script to repeat at parties.

Cher Draws Little Cher

By Cher Grepo

Don't you hate it

when you're full and angry at the same time?

Thanks, Girl at Work

Who Is You? #13

I like you.




You = air

Twilight Mania :: A Fight Within

Only because I wanted Grace to stop reading passages of Twilight on my voicemail, did I decide to appease her and start reading the book. That's when I became entranced. Poorly written page after poorly written page, I kept on reading until I had finished the 4 book series.

I'm so weak.

Anyway, it was a good replacement guilty pleasure since Sex and the City made its departure.

This weekend, Grace and I will brave the crowds to watch the movie and like others swoon during the teen vampire romance. I was even tempted to join the others who swarmed Ryan Seacrest's radio studio during a Pattinson interview. (Seacrest's studio is across the street from mine) Thank god, I got a grip and realized that would be CRAZY.

So I'm with you, you love-lorn Twilight fans. We all can use some vampire escapism to get away from the actual reality that romance is fictional.

Countdown to Cousin Day

My cousins, Marisa, Christian, and I have made our own post Thanksgiving ritual- COUSIN DAY! On this day, our like minds work together to cause havoc all over the Bay Area. This year, we're thinking of getting something brought to us. Like a moon bounce or bouncy boxing! Any suggestions are welcome!

Congratulations, UCSC!

On being the #1 Surfing College in the nation. What you lack in conservative high caliber higher education, you make up in lifestyle and extreme sports.

Note: My beloved alma mater.

Fancy Cars

Isn't it odd that we would spend a lot of money on fast cars so that ideally we would sit in them less?

Las Vegas :: Fremont St.

For Mike's birthday, our little group packed a car and drove to Vegas with the promise that we would not visit the oh-so-popular Strip for most reasons involving impoverished wallets and an overall distaste for the popular. With such strict ruling, we were left to Las Vegas' grungy Fremont Street experience.

On Fremont St, you see all the classic electric signage that you see in Vegas movies and commercials. This is the land of overstuffed capri pants, one-toothed wonders and $8.99 prime rib. We managed to experience some of the quintessential ridiculous treats like deep fried twinkies. Mmm tasty.

This is not a place of disappointment, but more or less, acceptance. The people here were friendly and asked no questions except those pertaining to alcohol. I have to admit that I am not one to really describe Las Vegas as a vacation destination, but my good times would prove that Fremont St. is definitely a good place to get away from the mainstream.