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!

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).

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.

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).

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!

Happy,  happy birthday, DowneTowne! Damn, can you believe it’s been THREE YEARS already?  It’s crazy to think how much DowneTowne has grown in such a short amount of time. I remember hearing about the parties while I was still in DC and when I came home during the summer of 2007, I bought a DSLR and began shooting at the parties.  The thing about DowneTowne that I love is that it always strives to outdo itself which, I think, pushed me to photograph the parties better.

It’s going to be a great birthday party. DJ Amara from LA will be there on decks. I’m going to do a short interview with her hopefully (cross your fingers) before the party, so you can learn a bit about her beforehand! I’m extremely stoked.

Also, I hear there’s gonna be some awesome giveaways that night!

The $8 before 11pm guestlist is open right now, but will close on March 5th at 3pm. So get your asses over to Downetowne’s website and sign up! It takes two seconds, seriously.

More info after the jump.

I’ve been anxiously waiting for the inaugural issue of the Hawaii Women’s Journal to be published. I didn’t know what shape it would take. I only knew what my small contribution to the magazine would look like and even that was limited to its Microsoft Office form.  Last week, they put up an online version where you could skim (and read) through the entire magazine. I was amazed at how everything came together and can’t wait to hold an actual copy in my hands (yes, I’m dorky like that).

Anyway, tonight is the official launch party of the magazine at the Manifest! The party runs from 6-10pm and it’s absolutely FREE. I read that there will also be free organic food from Kale’s Natural Foods, Mango Season, and DJ Kee providing musical entertainment. More importantly, there will be hard copies of the Hawaii Women’s Journal for you to swipe for me so I can send to my relatives, I mean, keep for yourself.

If you’re interested in reading my article, “Are you there, Angst? It’s me,  Quarter-Life Crisis” you can head on over to their official website or download a PDF copy of it here (right-click and save link as).

Best free weekly party? Acid Wash at SOHO, hands down. I mean, come on, dancing your ass off to 80′s music hits (hello George Michael, Hall & Oates, New Order)! Doesn’t get any better than that.They’re even doing a special theme this week in celebration of Valentine’s Day (or anti-Valentine’s Day, depending on your mood). Be on the lookout for Do Something Tonight’s Ana (La Cutie), she ALWAYS has the best outfits for this kind of stuff!

Dress like it’s 80′s prom, best outfit wins a little something.

NO COVER & 2$ DRINKS Before 11pm

DJ’s Nocturna, Vegas Mike
and the return of Eskae (Nocturnal Sound Krew)

I spent all last month trying to prepare you folks for DowneTowne’s latest event, Erotica. I told you that Indica was NOT to be missed and she did not disappoint. Never have I seen so many girls happy and so many guys trying to hold in their sheer delight.

The place was packed wall to wall by the time I arrived just before 11pm (just in time for the show, heee!).  Usually when someone performs at a nightclub, it’s expected that some conversations will still carry on during the performance. This was NOT the case for Indica, it was dead quiet with all eyes fixated on her. Amazing stuff.

First off, props to La Cutie (Ana) for this photo. I loves it!  So there’s a new thing going on at the Manifest tonight and it’s allllll about mash-ups! You know, when a DJ takes two songs (usually ones you never thought of playing together) and mashes it into a perfect audio orgasm.

So starting tonight, Friday January 29th, there will be a night dedicated to this craft at the Manifest! Major audio orgasm.  Hosted by Do Something Tonight, you know this party is going to be fun!

To stay up to date on their DJ lineup and to show your support, add Smash it Up! on Facebook.

UPDATE: Just found out from Ana that Smash it Up! will be a regular event (YAY!). Every last Friday of the month at the Manifest!