It looks like I’ll be eating pasta and microwave pizza for the next two weeks. This past weekend was the Renegade LA Craft and it was amazing.  Young crafters from all over were there to show off their best.  Joni had the difficult task of making sure I didn’t spend all my money on the first row of sellers (which I totally wanted to do).  There were many times where she’d have to trick me and say, “why don’t we look around first and come back after?”  We all know that’s parent-code for “No.” So bless Joni’s heart for keeping me in check and not letting me blow my entire rent this weekend.

We got there around 11:30am (half an hour after it opened) and it was already packed. There were so many great designers from all over the country, plus a few of my favorites from the Long Beach craft fair last month.

By 2pm, I was sunburnt and broke.  Oh well, I scored lots of good loot!

[click here to jump to the gallery]

Comments Filed under: Events, Photos
Posted: July 27th 2010

One of the things I loved about DC was their music scene.  I would discover a band, fall in love with their music, and soon after they’d be passing through for a concert.  I never had quite the same luck in Hawaii and I was excited to see what kind of concert possibilities being LA would bring me.

The Troubadour is an interesting venue. It reminded me a bit of the 930 club in DC, intimate and historic. You never really get over your first show at the Troubadour if you remember past musicians who have shared the same air as you. The walls of the tiny venue were definitely worn, decorated with staples like a telephone pole with tiny poster edges left behind.

My friends and I had great seats balcony level for Garrison Starr’s set.  When she performed “Beautiful in LA”, it felt like hearing a song you love for the very first time.  It had become sort of my anthem after moving to LA a couple of months ago, so when I heard it live for the first time, it was an amazing feeling.

When the Rescues took stage after Garrison Starr’s set, I could feel the balcony floor rumbling under my feet. There was a surge of energy that pulled me back to one of my first concerts in DC and I was overwhelmed with emotion.  It’s amazing how music can transport you to such specific moments in your life.  As many times as I’ve listened to the Rescues’ studio music and youtube videos (which are fantastic, too), they are so much better live. Their harmonies…they floor you. Each of them separately is such a strong musician and vocalist that when they sing together, you suddenly feel so small, as if tucked away in one of their instruments.  And even cooler, for many of their songs, they’d rotate positions and play a different instrument.

After the show, I let myself get swept up in the sea of people leaving the Troubadour. With the Rescues’ newest album in hand, I ripped off the plastic before even reaching my car, and then listened to it at the highest volume possible for the long drive home.

They ended their set was an awesome cover of “Shout” originally done by Tears for Fears (posted below).

Comments Filed under: Music
Posted: July 11th 2010

Last night I went to a show at Largo at the Coronet called the Thrilling Adventure and Supernatural Suspense Hour. Great musicians and actors have passed through this venue and I felt humbled to share this space with them. While waiting for the show to begin, I sat in the side room and saw a piano Elliott Smith played at a show there nearly ten years ago. The Thrilling Adventure and Supernatural Suspense Hour was hilarious and it was awesome to see so many of my favorite actors in person and sharing the same stage. I think seeing actors you admire and respect in their element can be a revelation, especially in such an intimate venue like Largo.

There were some great special guests: Dave Foley, Martin Starr, Linda Cardellini, Samm Levine, Chris Hardwick, David Anders. Not to mention a great core cast, which included Paget Brewster (who is on Criminal Minds <333).  Best of all, for me at least, was special guest Nathan Fillion. He’s awesome for many reasons, but he happens to be the star of my latest obsession, Castle.

Last night I could feel myself falling in love with this strange new city.

Comments Filed under: My Life
Posted: June 7th 2010

So I’ve finally made the big move to LA. Sometimes I find it hard to believe I’m here. I wake up some mornings, still disoriented, and go through the day feeling like I’m on a very long vacation. Then on other mornings, I wake up happy with all the newness that comes with moving to a new place. It’s been hectic trying to settle in. But  I finally have most of my furniture, so I don’t have to sit on the carpet and eat on the floor anymore.

The other day, I bought one of those cheap Ikea bookshelves and spent a few hours putting all my books away. After I was done, I stood there and stared at it for a long time.  It’s stupid, perhaps, but in that moment I finally felt at home.

I haven’t been taking photos as often as I’d like, but the other week,  I went down to Universal Studios for some fun.

I promise to do more exploring once I’m finally settled in (and finished with some writing I need to do).

[click here to see more pictures!]

Comments Filed under: My Life, Photos
Posted: June 3rd 2010

My apologies, I’ve been neglecting this blog lately.  I have not forgotten about you, but I was busy preparing for my big move to LA. I’ve just made it through my first week up here and things are starting to settle down, so I’ve finally had time to go through my pictures.

This month’s DowneTowne party, Golf Out-ing, was the perfect way to celebrate my time in Hawaii and say goodbye. Thank you to all the awesome people I got to hang out with that night. It’s always nice to see friendly familiar faces and then meet new people as well.

Since I am no longer in Hawaii, the scope of this blog will change a bit. But no worries, I’ll still be updating regularly!

[click here to jump to the gallery]

Comments Filed under: Downetowne, Photos
Posted: April 20th 2010