Holy Basil!

Weird Dream

2011-07-12T10:56:00.001-07:00

Either I was the daughter, because that was the perspective I was having, or I was watching a movie about Karl Lagerfeld and his daughter. (In this dream he had a daughter). And Karl had just bought a house in Oahu. He's also really into vintage planes, because he had a collection of them in his yard at his actual home somewhere else. And this home is a beautiful, modern home. As the daughter and Karl are dining, he offers to give her some of his furniture for her new place. It's really esteemed designer furniture, but it was a dream designer, not a real person. And she's like "Don't you need this furniture for your Oahu house?" And he was like "I have much more (*name of designer*) furniture someplace else." And there was also another character involved who is a pilot. I don't remember now what he had to do with anything. The reason I think that this whole thing might have been a movie was that in another part of my dream, I was watching the last scenes of a movie and one of the shots was a pilot walking beside some planes.

Otto Dix & Alfred Kubin

2010-02-15T21:34:00.000-08:00

These two created some morbidly awesome art, as I discovered today at the Neue Gallery. Today was the last day of 'From Klimt to Klee: Masterworks From the Serge Sabarsky Collection.' I really loved a set of 4 Otto Dix ink drawings that were placed together next to his 'Mother And Child' painting. I flipped through the exhibit book in the museum store to see if they were in there (and if the book was worth buying), but sadly, no. The top right one depicted a sex murder, the victim being a male. The bottom right piece was 'Woman in a Feathered Hat', I believe. The bottom left one was of the same woman, but with a demonic face. I don't remember the top right picture in the series! I can't find these images online. I've seen Otto Dix stuff before, but never like this. An internet search also revealed his intense war art.

Alfred Kubin's stuff is mostly grey, macabre fairytale-like illustrations. He has very interesting depictions of women that can range from empowered, evil, and victimized. The pieces I saw almost always have a theme of death. There was one piece entitled 'Female Suicide' that had an Ophelia-esque body floating along a river, with a fish reflection beneath the water, perfectly mirroring the body. I found the others online:

'The Last King':

'Return to the Womb' or something...the one I saw seemed to have a less evil face!:

'Earth: Mother of Us All':

Here's a good NYT review of a previous Alfred Kubin exhibit at the Neue Gallery/

As a German-culture-and-arts in-the-early-20th-century nerd, I absolutely loved the Neue Gallery. They have a great collection of poster art, even a few Fritz Lang's! There are two gorgeous cafes that are modeled after Austrian cafes of the time. The museum also has a beautiful collection of decorative arts.

Oh, and I saw her.:

ODD BLOOD

2010-02-10T20:25:00.000-08:00

I'm obsessing over this album. Yeasayer could have easily (not actually, though) followed the same formula as on the first album, and I would have loved it. Music critics show favor based on progression, and the men have created a new incarnation of their sound. Yeasayer could really blend any combination of genres, and it would work beautifully. This album is based on synthetic, electronic effects. And, as the New York Times pointed out inconceivably, there are love songs on this album. I would naturally take these two points done on a sophomore album as a selling out, but it's anything but. Apparently the men were recording in a Peter Gabriel bandmember's farm in Woodstock, with tons of crazy equipment to test out. I'm glad they did. There are some unexpected sounds that are so satisfying to hear. I'm really digging 'The Children', 'O.N.E.', and 'Love Me Girl'. Nothing is mediocre or bad on this album, I have to say. The layers and layers on these tracks will take many listens to appreciate fully. Can we talk about the crazy rhythms as well?! 'Strange Reunions' is exceptionally well-crafted in its meter shifts between 5/4 and 6/4. That shit must have taken HOURS to compose and practice to the perfection I saw in their amazing live album release show two nights ago. Yeasayer hasn't given up the elements that make them who we think they are. There are still the global music influences, the gorgeous vocals, and the extraordinary art direction. They're fucking great songwriters. There are definitely poppier, dancier tracks on this album that could make them break out like '1901' did to Phoenix. I'm sure they wouldn't mind the success :)

The men break it down themselves.

Seeing them live and listening to Odd Blood has inspired me to get back into my music, though that simply means practicing my carnatic vocal, yet they make me feel like I can do something further with it than what is traditional. aka this album is inspiring.

Knowing the Boba Fett Accordion Man

2009-10-28T22:58:00.000-07:00

This monday as I descended the 20th St stairway from the High Line, I heard, then saw the Boba Fett accordion man. For those unfamiliar with this character, he's a young street performer playing the accordion. Wearing a DIY Boba Fett helmet. He made me smile, so I gave him a couple bucks-- a first for me in NYC thus far!

Photo by C-M

He was interviewed for Time Out:

http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/public-eye/76751/public-eye-nathan-stodola

Oh, and he has his own YouTube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/renegadeaccordion

& a twitter, fbook, and myspace account

What can't you find on the internet?!

HIPSTERS OF THE UNIVERSE

2009-09-30T19:19:00.000-07:00

Oh yes! Adrien Riemenn, the artist, is so cool.

See 'em all!

Sabbath Californiay

2009-06-08T23:27:00.000-07:00

"...I'm up in the cupolo and with my newspaper dig the latest news on the front page and also consider and make notations of the money I spent already for this day Sunday absolutely not jot spent a nothing- California rushes by and with sad eyes we watch it reel the whole bay and the discourse falling off to gradual gils that ease and graduate to Santa Clara Valley then and the fig and behind is the fog immemoriates while the mist closes and we come running out to the bright sun of the Sabbath Californiay."

-"October in the Railroad Earth" by jack Kerouac

NARCOCORRIDOS

2009-06-08T21:48:00.000-07:00

The immensely popular folk ballads that chronicle and celebrate the lives, loves and illicit achievements of Mexico's powerful drug lords.

"Contrabando y Traicion" (Smuggling and Betreyal)- Angel Gonzales, Los Tigres del Norte, 1975; rough translation

They left San Isidro,
from Tijuana,
They brought the tires of the car
full of weed,
were Emilio Varela
and Camelia the Texan

Passed through San Clemente
stopped by immigration,
requested documents,
He asked them: Where are they?
She was from San Antonio,
a female heart.

If a female wants a man,
he can give life,
but care must be taken
if that female is wound
Smuggling and betrayal ...
things are incompartidas.

Came to Los Angeles
moved to Hollywood,
in a dark alley
changed all four tires,
he handed the grass ...
and there he was also paid

Emilio says to Camelia:
Today you see for farewell
the part that touches you
you can rebuild your life,
I go 'pa 'San Francisco,
with the master of my life

Seven gunshots sounded,
Camelia killed Emilio,
the police only found
a thrown gun,
Of Camelia and money ...
Nobody ever knew anything

Remedies From Random Products

2009-05-11T21:54:00.000-07:00

I haven't worn a trace of makeup in over 2 weeks. I highly, highly recommend Doxycycline for non-natural skin rejuvination. Gulping down water included.

ALSO Vitamin E Lip Balm is an excitingly good substitute for mascara. For the already dark-lashed.

Ghetto Prom

2009-04-26T19:43:00.000-07:00

A coffeetable book is due.

Takes the Cake

just plain awesome

This Was Me Today

2009-04-25T20:41:00.000-07:00

High school girls trying on prom dresses at Saks Fifth Ave.
Photo: Al Fenn./Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
May 01, 1958

A Fitting Song for Me Right Now

2009-04-21T22:58:00.000-07:00

'Life in LA'- Pharrell, Jermaine Dupri, & Chester French

Life in LA is so insane

Everyday feels the same

Spent all my cash, I'm down to change

It's time to move away

(I was having chocolate cake and sauvignon)

My New Favorite Site

2009-04-10T01:29:00.000-07:00

Killed by Death Records (www.kbdrecords.com) is AWESOME. Its title alone is brilliant, along with its subtitle, 'I won't pay for punk records.'

I have been searching for the song I'm obsessed with currently ('False Pretenses'- Frank Details), and KBD was the first entry in google that had anything to do with it. And then I found that I could dl it. I love. The punk tracks featured here are IMPOSSIBLE to find, unless you own the rare vinyls! They have a listing of other MP3 blogs that I have to check out after I'm done milling through here.

PS I really love Fairfax.

My Worst (Conventional) Enemies

2009-04-02T23:53:00.000-07:00

Why not just get a jackhammer going on my mouth while simultaneously stabbing my gums with Ronco (as seen on TV!) knives.

I HATE GOING TO THE DENTIST & I HATE MY MOUTH FOR NOT BEING PERFECT. My definition of torture. While sitting tensely in that chair I always make pacts with myself to not eat sweets ever again, or to floss twice a day every day (with the insane threader floss), BUT it never happens.

YEAH, that whole thing goes through. Why do I still have a bottom permanent retainer?!

I have a high tolerance for physical pain, but not in the dentist's chair. I guess it's because I can't see what's going on and I can only know what's happening through feeling it. Like when dental hygenist goes wild with the scaler and stabs your gums.

Honestly felt like I lost 20% of my blood in my extended (fml) cleaning sesh today.

I'm up to get 20349823 fillings and getting my wisdom teeth pulled. Oh boy!

As if that isn't enough, I woke up early and spent an hour at the podiatrist's this morning for nothing. His verdict was: Don't wear the sandals that hurt you for a long time. THANKS I couldn't have thought of that without you.

And my parents wonder why I won't go into medicine.

Ufff

2009-03-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

Cassius

2009-03-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

Shut Up & Let Me Go

2009-03-28T12:41:00.000-07:00

Some more Lolla goodness.

Post-Punk Junk

2009-03-27T01:18:00.000-07:00

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Urgh! A Music War and Debt Begins at 20. I've been able to find all the clips from Urgh! online, but I am DYING to find the music from Debt. The early Pittsburgh punk scene is ridiculous, in the good sense. The Cardboards, The Shakes, Hans Brinker & the Dykes, the Shut-Ins, The Puke, The Cuts, The Dark, Carsickness, and The Five.

I wish I were alive for this and every performance in Urgh! (esp Surf Punks)

a DREAM JOB

2009-03-24T23:18:00.000-07:00

Interning with Vinoodh Matadin & Ines van Lamsweerde

Memories of 8th Grade & Erica Steiner

2009-03-18T23:17:00.000-07:00

Louis XIV- Finding Out True Love is Blind

FROM THE VAULT...Lolla videos!

2009-03-18T23:08:00.000-07:00

The Kills

My American Beauty Video

2009-03-18T22:49:00.000-07:00

Found this on my camera from July. Substitute the plastic bag with a caterpillar. lol

How to Celebrate Thulasi Style:

2009-03-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

Eat half a pint of this:

SLC Punk

2009-03-09T23:35:00.001-07:00

I love this movie. Finding yourself when everything around you turns to shit.

Bad Town

2009-03-09T23:17:00.000-07:00

I really love this song.

Obo Obo

2009-03-04T23:43:00.001-08:00

Make Me A Supermodel

2009-03-04T23:33:00.000-08:00

This season's contestants suck. In following with past seasons, the guys outshine the girls. I wish I were watching a UK Make Me A Supermodel instead of a US one. Edgy here is equivalent to a kid in a playground there as far as mainstream media goes. I'm rooting for Chris, the androgynous guy. Androgyny seems to be a hot topic today in my life. I love it.

The Gold in the Purple & Gold

2009-02-22T19:16:00.001-08:00

www.theoriginators.com I am digging. There ain't nuthin' like the LA culture.

Jono from Make Me A Supermodel made it!

2009-02-16T21:25:00.000-08:00

Here he is on Balenciaga's Spring 09 RTW runway.

Back in the day:

I was rooting for this kid, but they cut him for being too wimpy? Apparently they didn't get the memo that that's favorable in the industry? He's the only one who actually made some success! I miss UK Make Me A Supermodel. The US one is coming again next month, but it sucks.

MGR says "Peace."

2009-02-16T21:17:00.000-08:00

A lost photo from my adventures in India.

One of the coolest cats Tamil Nadu has ever birthed. Back in the day:

Struck gold in the Sivalingam garage, once again!

2009-02-16T20:52:00.001-08:00

The sickest belt I've held in my hands. My garage has always truly been a gold mine, no matter what house we've lived in. I remember countless questionings of "Where did you get/find that?", followed by my response: "My garage." My fourth grade class knew that my garage contained ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. I would always bring in stuff related to class that I would randomly find. To this day I can dig around in my garage for hours and find treasures. I found the sickest fabrics this week in there that I hope will one day be transformed into some awesome garment/s. (Having a South Asian mother with a neverending supply of saris is textile bliss. I kid you not when I say that there are artilleries of saris in every room of my house. You can even look under the beds.) I also found a most legit pair of vintage Any Weather sunglasses.

RuPaul's Drag Race

2009-02-10T23:59:00.001-08:00

Quite possibly the best reality show VH1 has ever broadcasted.

Highlights from the 20 minutes I saw: Santino Rice as a judge maintaining seriousness the whole time. Michelle Williams (the Destiny's Child that no one cares about) brought to tears by a lipsynched rendition of her new 'hit'.

They're herrre

2009-02-10T19:12:00.000-08:00

http://www.lagear.com/

I'm not impressed with the chick shoes. They need to revitalize their clothing/accessory line.

Bertie Wooster

2009-02-09T22:04:00.001-08:00

I found this from livejournal. I guess I'm not the only one of the cyber generation with a thing for Bertie Wooster.

I love these (made by lj user lidi):

I Can't Stand the Rain

2009-02-05T21:36:00.001-08:00

I couldn't find a performance video of this song :(

Cool Hair

2009-02-01T21:15:00.000-08:00

Perfect LA Sunday: 5

2009-02-01T15:34:00.000-08:00

Pasadena- It was such a beautiful day. Quite a shock since I've been in Arkansas/Mississippi/Tennessee/Alabama for the past week. I'll post about it later once my photos develop. I'm surprised I didn't gain any weight from my adventures in the Dirrty South. Anyway, had my very first interview (with Brown) at Corner Bakery, and it went really well. Then I took a lovely walk around Lake & Del Mar. I looked around Anthropologie searching for a birthday gift and sniffing the fab selection of fragrances.

I'm so overwhelmed! Planning for Coachella/spring break (Turkey)/summer, doing chores for the 'rents, and CLEANING MY ROOM pt.537.

I'm loving Tokyomilk's Ex Libris perfume. It's a slightly lighter comparison to Cosmic Wonder's Six Scents perfume I was raving about earlier, but it's a fraction of the price.

Today's quip:

Kural 356
Those who find the highest Reality here and now
follow a path which never comes back to this world.

-Tiruvalluvar's Tirukural, "Holy Couplets."

I Was Older When I Was Younger

2009-01-19T20:02:00.000-08:00

I wish I were the person I was 9 years ago. It is possible to become spritually immature as you get older. Or maybe you just become more aware of what's out there. Is ignorance bliss? Nevertheless, my passions have dwindled in more important issues while they have strengthened in worldly things. I'm definitely more spiritually unsure now. Is this a healthy sign of progression? What to do? We'll see how life goes.

Jeffree Star

2009-01-15T22:47:00.000-08:00

was eating at the table diagonally from me. I love LA.

Well played, Indie

2009-01-15T17:38:00.000-08:00

Indie 103.1 has chosen to go off the FM airwaves. I remember in 2004 when Indie was a baby, and I was so stoked when I discovered it. It was my special secret within my world. I considered it perfect, except for Dicky Barrett's morning show, but that was soon cancelled. I remember one morning when he was reading all his hate mail on the air, and I kind of felt bad, but I agreed with every letter. Unfortunately, it was too good to be true, and Indie deteriorated into blah. Of course I could still look forward to Jonesy's Jukebox, which kept me on from time to time, but I was no longer a regular listener. I absolutely and completely agree with Chris Morris when he slammed Indie as being 'KROQ Jr.' I'm relieved to know that Indie felt the same way as its original listeners, and has decided to stick to the net and to their true spirit.

I find it so funny that this news comes the day after I post my KXLU praises. I hope the same doesn't happen to it someday. Then again, I probably won't be in LA anymore.

A brief history of Indie 103.1 (courtesy of wiki):

On December 25, 2003 at 11 PM, Indie 103.1 was born. The station began as a collaboration between Entravision and Clear Channel. Clear Channel primarily handled advertising on the station, but because the organization already owned the maximum number of stations in the Los Angeles market allowed by Federal Communications Commission regulations, the arrangement was terminated in March 2005.[citation needed]

In March 2006, Dicky Barrett of "The Mighty Morning Show" left the station.[1] He was replaced by Joe Escalante, who called his show "The Last Of The Famous International Morning Shows."

On August 19th, 2008, Station Manager Dawn Girocco announced her departure from the station.[2] Starting in October 2008, longtime specialty shows were either dropped ("Feel My Heat," Community Service," "Big Sonic Heaven," "Camp Freddy Radio") or moved to weekends ("Harmony in My Head").[3] Upon the cancellation of his roots music show "Watusi Rodeo," Chris Morris accused the station of "now being styled as KROQ Jr." in an effort to increase the station's ratings.[4]

In November 2008, Escalante stated he was giving up the morning show but would continue to host an expanded two-hour version of his legal-advice show, "Barely Legal Radio."[1] He was replaced by longtime station DJ "TK."

On January 15, 2009, Indie 103.1 announced on the air that it would soon be ending its run on the FM frequency.[5][6] They told listeners it can still be heard on the Internet and would sound more like what the station was early on.

The statment Indie put out:

Indie Activist:

This is an important message for the Indie 103.1 Radio Audience -

Indie 103.1 will cease broadcasting over this frequency effective immediately. Because of changes in the radio industry and the way radio audiences are measured, stations in this market are being forced to play too much Britney, Puffy and alternative music that is neither new nor cutting edge. Due to these challenges, Indie 103.1 was recently faced with only one option --- to play the corporate radio game.

We have decided not to play that game any longer. Rather than changing the sound, spirit, and soul of what has made Indie 103.1 great Indie 103.1 will bid farewell to the terrestrial airwaves and take an alternative course.

This could only be done on the Internet, a place where rules do not apply and where new music thrives; be it grunge, punk, or alternative - simply put, only the best music.

For those of you with a computer at home or at work, log on to www.indie1031.com and listen to the new Indie 103.1 - which is really the old Indie 103.1, not the version of Indie 103.1 we are removing from the broadcast airwaves.

We thank our listeners and advertisers for their support of the greatest radio station ever conceived, and look forward to continuing to deliver the famed Indie 103.1 music and spirit over the Internet to passionate music listeners around the world.

I want to be...

2009-01-15T00:06:00.000-08:00

a disc jockey for KXLU.

It's my station of choice.

The other morning they played Late of the Pier and I got really excited (their CD has been a fixture in my car for months) and the evening before, they did a whole spin of good 80's rap/R&B/hip-hop.

KXLU fits me like a glove.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains

2009-01-14T20:50:00.000-08:00

I love this film. I haven't been this inspired (stylistically [the music, the fashion, the hair, the makeup!], personally) by a film since This is England. This is a true rock-n-roll movie. It captures three generations of music: the dead '60's and '70's acts gripping onto their one expired hit, the British punk band that flounders in the US (Punk was dead when the movie was being made), and the prototype riotgrrl bands. The film has everything from feminism, corruption in the music industry, individualism, and a random Jamaican rastafarian. I am about to make myself a 'The Fabulous Stains' tshirt ala the one Laura Dern wears in the final music video.

A list of the brills involved:
-Diane Lane, age 14(as a 90's kid, I am shocked to see that she ever had such a cool role. If I had seen Stains in 1981, I would have thought her career would go in an entirely different direction.)
-Laura Dern, age 13 (another surprise!)
-Ray Winstone
-THE Lou Adler directed
-Steve Jones (Jonesy!)
-Paul Cook
-Paul Simonon!
-Elizabeth Daily
-Joe Roth
-Fee Waybill, The Tubes
-Black Randy (hilarious)
-Vince Welnick, The Tubes (& late Grateful Dead) (he is in the single best frame of the movie: him with his multicultural children)(His death scene is chilling because he actually did die of an overdose in 2006.)
-etc., etc.

From Corinne 'Third Degree' Burns to squeaky clean!:

The funniest frame:

Beginning:

The Looters (comprised of Ray Winstone, Paul Simonon, Steve Jones, Paul Cook), 'We Are Professionals'

The Stains, 'I'm a Waste of Time" plus Diane Lane's radical moment

The Stains, 'We Are Professionals' rip

Black Randy & the Metrosquad, 'I Slept in an Arcade'

The Stains, 'We Are Professionals' (famous and the GoGos'd out)

Oliver & Company

2009-01-11T20:03:00.000-08:00

Today I saw Oliver & Company at the El Capitan after YEARS, and I enjoyed it so much! But I realized how dark of a Disney movie it is! At times it felt more like the Godfather, with Sykes threatening to kill Fagin if he didn't have his money, telling his cronie on the phone how to kill a bugger, etc. The little girl in the movie has parents that are never there. Tito, the ghetto chihuahua, is HILARIOUS. Cheech voices him. It honestly couldn't get any better. Dodger, the main dog, is so friggin' cool.

I totally sang along.

I wish this were my themesong:

Kite Boy, Coimbatore

2009-01-10T18:34:00.000-08:00

A Makeshift Park, Coimbatore

2009-01-10T18:32:00.000-08:00

Guardian, Coimbatore

2009-01-10T18:31:00.000-08:00

My Uncle's House, Coimbatore

2009-01-10T18:20:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Coimbatore

2009-01-10T18:19:00.000-08:00

Houseboat Window, Kerala

2009-01-10T17:55:00.000-08:00

Siblings, Kerala

2009-01-10T17:54:00.000-08:00

Backwater Scene, Kerala

2009-01-10T17:51:00.000-08:00

A Singular Church, Kerala

2009-01-10T17:46:00.000-08:00

Jew Town, Cochin

2009-01-10T17:37:00.000-08:00

Narasimha, Pondicherry

2009-01-10T17:36:00.000-08:00

Theunga Kaari, Pondicherry

2009-01-10T17:35:00.000-08:00

A Toy Stall, Pondicherry

2009-01-10T16:34:00.000-08:00

Coconut, Pondicherry

2009-01-10T16:31:00.000-08:00

Mr. Mishchief, Pondicherry

2009-01-10T16:25:00.000-08:00

The look on his face is classic as his pursuer catches up with him.

My Favorite Shot, Pondicherry

2009-01-10T16:22:00.000-08:00

The Palmreader, Pondicherry

2009-01-10T16:14:00.000-08:00

Woman on the Beach, Pondicherry

2009-01-10T16:10:00.000-08:00

Vendors on the Beach, Pondicherry

2009-01-10T14:50:00.000-08:00

The Coolest Guy in Pondicherry

2009-01-10T14:43:00.000-08:00

I wish I had better lighting for this shot!

Afterschool Snack, Pondicherry

2009-01-10T14:39:00.000-08:00

Creeper of the Year

2008-12-30T09:41:00.000-08:00

Every night at my hotel, there's this balding white guy with glasses who sits in the lounge. He's the only one there (the hotels here are in a slump) and he sits in the same booth. He just watches the Thai female singers. They're sisters and they are HORRIBLE. I just heard the worst rendition of 'Sweet Child Of Mine'. They always have these hooker-ish outfits on, too. My sister was spot on when she said, "He's one of those white guys who watches asian chick porn."

Mosquitos

2008-12-29T06:12:00.000-08:00

They serve no purpose. Their contributions toward human population control and as food for other animals is really not that significant in the grand scheme of things. Their predators feed off of plenty of other sources. They are irritating and are probably the most hated creatures alive. The females are the ones that suck blood, and they don't even need it to survive. Mosquito larvae prey on their fellow mosquito larvae. How more despicable and unlikeable could they get? Can we exterminate them, please? They are one species that needs to be wiped out.

This is coming from a vegetarian animal rights advocate. They are that bad.

Malaria Med Dreams Cont.

2008-12-29T06:03:00.000-08:00

I forgot about the first one I had..

It took place in a grand mansion. Think Rochester's home in Jane Eyre or the Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. There's this young girl who's forced into doing something she doesn't want to by a evil stepmother from Cinderella- esque figure. The part of the dream that particularly stands out takes place in the night. The girl is running down a vast hall. The stepmother is pursuing her. There are many rooms along this hall and these rooms have distinctly different ambiences. Then the stepmother opens the door to an important room. This room is very shadowed, but is lit with a subtle warm light on the far end. The decor of the room is pink, including a boudoir and a large ottoman. This room is incredibly eerie, and I got the notion that something evil happened in there. A murder, probably? Something that dramatically altered the life of the young girl? Anyway, then the stepmother faints.

Malaria Med Dreams

2008-12-26T12:23:00.000-08:00

Night 1: I'm among a group searching for a missing friend in a forest. We come upon a group of Twilight-like supernatural beings, standing in a circle. Obviously very movie-like, a member of my group goes forward calling the missing person's name and asks the group if they've seen anyone. They attack, we run. After a while I see Alex Winkler jump a fence while his female pursuer is stuck inside. He says, "You jumped off a 30 foot cliff to get me, but you can't get over this fence?!" Then I continue running towards a lighted building. Inside, it's a chem lab but there's blaring metal music. Brandon Padveen is in there going nuts and the room's a disastrous mess. I join in in the smashing of test tubes, etc.

Night 2: A mash-up of Home Improvement, Full House, and other '90's sitcoms. Before the parents come home this generic sitcom 17-year old girl is pregnant, I think. Her boyfriend's there, too. They argue about what to tell her parents. When the dad comes home, she tells him her plans for marrying the boyfriend. Later, one of the kids from Home Improvement is in his room talking to his little sister, who's Michelle from Full House.

Night 3: I have a fatal illness that first manifests itself as a scar on the forearm. Apparently when I was diagnosed, I consented to assisted suicide, because the pain of this disease becomes unbearable. At the current time, I have forgotten about this. The scar on my forearm is very faint and I have no pain at all. I am reminded by my father that I am to die on a certain, upcoming day. I start freaking out. I talk to Melissa about it. I explain my situation, minus the assisted suicide part. She replies, "Yeah, it gets really bad." or something. Then when I break down crying, freaking out about dying, she disappears. My dad reminds me about the day, "tomorrow". I plead in tears, "Can I wait until after graduation?". The next day comes, it's dusk. I'm rummaging through my room (which isn't my room in real life, nor is it my familiar home) for things I need to sort out before I die. Nobody is aware that I'm going to die. It's kept lowkey. I then walk out of the house, and keep walking. That's how it ended. It was a fucking psychologically abusive dream. The next day I coincidentally read The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, in which the title character is aware of when he will die, also. The theme of the day was 'Mortality'.

Night 4: In an advisory group (not sure if it was SC people), we compete in a Gauntlet of challenges that take place in a hotel. Then the hotel becomes a version of my cousin's house. One challenge included throwing toys to kittens and puppies in one room.

There were more, but they're either not as interesting/I can't remember them.

Kerala

2008-12-26T12:19:00.000-08:00

Creature From the Black Lagoon

2008-12-15T19:25:00.000-08:00

was shot at Sierra Canyon?

http://www.thestudiotour.com/ush/movies/creaturefromtheblacklagoon.shtml

Perfect LA Sundays: Part Troix

2008-12-14T21:55:00.001-08:00

Sunday, December 14th: Chinatown

I usually do Chinatown on Sundays, but this one stands out as being the best, owing to the fact that it was the first time doing it solo. I was a bit nervous about the drive, because it gets tricky, but I had no problems at all. I got there in 30 minutes. I parked in a new, more convenient lot for visiting the Central Plaza.

First stop: Welcome Hunters aka my favorite store in all of LA. Jason and I discussed counterfeit Balenciaga, Bernhard Willhelm, etc shoes found on Japanese websites, downloading music, and perfume. I spent a long time deliberating over Six Scents. I've been anticipating these like crazy ever since I heard of their release. Here's my verdict:

No. 1 Alexandre Herchcovitch, Urban Tropicalia: supersweet, fruity candy. Pass.
No. 2 Bernhard Willhelm, Wicken 3000: WINNER. "a perfume close to the elements of water and air, but with a futuristic approach." Could it be any more me? Ingredients: Sea Breeze Accord, Bergamot, Water Jasmine, Sheer Musk. It's light and unusual. Plus, when I smell it it makes me feel good. That's when you know you have a winner. My wrist is glued to my nose. I have bottle 0012 out of 2,000!

No. 3 Cosmic Wonder, The Spirit of Woods: The name says it all. It's a very strong but beautiful fragrance. The strength kept me from it, but I'm sure it tones down after a while on. Possibility.
No. 4 Gareth Pugh, Diagonal: I was most anticipating this one. I love Gareth Pugh. His designs are edgy and androgynous, so I was expecting a scent to match. The strength of the black pepper note turned me off, but a few hours later, it's grown on me.
No. 5 Jeremy Scott, Illicit Sex: Kind of like Gareth Pugh's, but not as good.
No. 6 Preen, Teen Spirit: Too feminine and floral for my tastes.

Next stop: Choose Chinatown. The new kid in the Plaza brought to us by Welcome Hunters and Lion's Den. Starting in February, it will host one designer at a time, kind of like a pop-up store. The first of these will last two seasons. I was told what the first label will be, and I went nuts, but I promised to keep it on the DL. Sorry. I love the exterior/interior. Robin was there and we shared South Indian experiences and discussed drop-crotch pants.

It was later in the afternoon and there weren't many around. I observed the old men playing their board games and the children playing with their bright red bouncy balls. I went to the jewelery stall and bought something for my Secret Santa.

Next Stop: Flock Shop. I was informed about the Holiday Bazaar at the Compound.

Next Stop: Holiday Bazaar at the Compound. I skidaddled over there, parked illegally, and was drawn to it like the light at the end of the tunnel, no joke. I seriously stepped in and was in heaven. The best of LA-based. I wish I had gotten there earlier, hadn't parked illegally, had more money, and had better overwhelm-control. Highlights:

I met Emily from Project Runway 5 and fell in love with her clothes from her label, Smoke and Mirrors. I bought this skirt in my favorite style and a fabulous fabric.

Grey Ant had a stall, enough said. I found the leggings I fell in love with in January at their pop-up at New High (M)art, but didn't want to shell out for. They were here for $30. In my size. How does this happen?!

Kujo likes. A match made in heaven w/ my KTZ splatter top.

I got my sister the most adorable birthday present. Only when I got home did I realize that she probably won't have room for this in her suitcase!

I discovered a cool LA brand: Young and Jelinek/Evil Genius

http://www.youngandjelinek.com/

I really liked their mineral wash minidresses, but they didn't have the style I wanted in my size. It's aiight, I joined their mailing list.

Success!

Perfect LA Sundays: Part Deux

2008-12-14T21:37:00.000-08:00

Sunday, July 6th?: West Hollywood

Typical rich valley girl sort of day.

On that Sunday I was wearing one of my fav outfits: Martin Lamothe jungle leggings, Urban Outfitters short sleeve green button down, and Doc Martens w/ the tops folded down. I drove to Sophie's, picked her up, and we blasted DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince all the way to Melrose. We did good damage to our plastic. I got my beloved LA leggings that day at Joyrich. We went over to the Melrose/Fairfax Flea Market and had good retail fun. All that shopping made us hungry, so we went to Urth Cafe and had food, lemonade, and Oreo cheesecake. Then we moved on to Melrose Place. We had shoe fun at Dolce Vita. Then we did Marc by Marc and Marc Jacobs. The saleslady there liked my pants. Then we got into the car and Sophie decided she had to pee, so I dropped her off at a cafe and she came out relieved and with 2 fresh lemonades. We swooped by Robertson and decided we wanted to see a movie, so we went over to the Beverly Center. We went down to valet and found out that the mall was going to close, so we were going to leave. While pulling away, we see Bow Wow come out of his Lamborghini with suicide doors. We attempted badly at taking a photo. We took Coldwater Cyn down to the valley. It was one of the most fun drives of my life. I sped those narrow curves while listening to smooth jazz on KCRW. From Studio City we went to the Galleria. We parked valet and saw Wanted. Then we went home and 'reviewed our purchases' on Sophie's bed.

Perfect LA Sundays: Part Un

2008-12-14T20:09:00.000-08:00

I love Sundays. Every Sunday when I wake up, it's always a beautiful day. I start every Sunday in my PJs ,with a mug of chocolate milk, reading the LA Times Sunday edition (Calendar, Arts&Books, Image, Travel, LA Magazine). There have been 3 perfect Sundays in the past year when I have ventured out into different parts of LA:

Perfect LA Sunday 1: Sunday, June 8. Downtown
This was the morning after the Glow in the Dark concert (NERD, Rihanna, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye). I brought my big Nikon, but security made me put it in the coat check. After the concert there was a line as long as the Staples Center just to access the coat check. I had no choice but to leave and begged security to let me come the next day to collect the camera. The next morning I woke up early and left my friend's house in Tarzana for Staples Center. This was my first time venturing so far from home solo and lowkey. I made it to the exit, but then had issues accessing Staples. The streets in front of it were blocked. I went in a circle and found a spot 3 blocks away on 11th Street. It was really weird being in this area during a quiet Sunday morning. There were very, very few cars on the road. During my walk to the Staples Center I was surprised to find a lot of charm in this otherwise seemingly soulless area. I was greeted by a guy riding his bike, I saw a lovely couple heading for Sunday brunch at a restaurant with a comfort feel, and I passed a brand new, chic little retaurant where the owners were setting up. It was so odd being at the Staples Center. The streets were completely deserted up there. I had to wait at the security entrance and speak to people through an intercom. I got my camera back and retraced my steps back to my car. I passed by a small, quiet, interesting-looking market but decided that I should keep walking forward. I didn't think I deserved it since I took the camera without asking, had to keep it at Staples Center, and drove all the way to Downtown without telling anybody in order to 'take care of my shit'. I'm pissed off at myself because I later found out that this market was the South Park Flea Market- which is one of the coolest, lowkey ones in LA. And recently after that day has been 'temporarily on hold'.

2008-12-04T22:31:00.000-08:00

I'm loving the haunting fairytale illustrations from the early-20th century artists...

Kay Nielson:

Edmund Dulac:

Arthur Rackham:

Gustav Tenngrens:

more

Karl Lagerfeld Praises Britney Spears

2008-12-03T23:52:00.000-08:00

I love you, Karl Lagerfeld.

TACO BELL

2008-12-03T22:48:00.001-08:00

Today I was introduced to a new fav (& not on the current menu): The Big Taste Burrito, beans instead of beef

I took a bite, looked inside and said, "There's a fiesta in this burrito."

Taco Bell is 1 of 2 drive-thrus that I, as a vegetarian, can order from. The other is In-N-Out. You can order anything 'beans instead of beef' and the results are satisfying. I don't care that it's horrible for me. I have a vegetarian diet. This is my savory guilty pleasure.

The Tops
1. The Big Taste Burrito, beans instead of beef
2. Cheesy Bean & Rice Burrito (one time my mom asked for the 'Beany Cheese & Rice Burrito')
3. Mexican Pizza, beans instead of beef
4. Nacho Bell Grande, beans instead of beef
5. Cheese Quesadilla
6. 7-Layer Burrito

Taco Bell is the exclusive home of BAJA BLAST (fav soda, & I rarely drink soda)

in all its glory

The Worst Taco Bell in the World: the Taco Bell near LAX

I love Taco Bell.

Ghetto Blaster

2008-12-02T01:58:00.000-08:00

Built-in iPod dock (kit included adaptors
for Nano, Mini & earlier generation pods)
& AV output, AM/FM radio, time, alarm,
bass and treble controls, 12W speakers,
microphone input for karaoke & remote
control.25”x15”

$249

YUM

2008-12-01T20:05:00.001-08:00

2008-11-28T18:21:00.000-08:00

Dream Threesome

2008-11-28T18:09:00.000-08:00

They were literally 2 feet away from me...together...and I died.

Paul Simonon & Damon Albarn

2008-11-25T01:39:00.001-08:00

What is this madness?!

2008-11-25T01:09:00.000-08:00

I must investigate.

2008-11-24T19:50:00.000-08:00

OF COURSE they're Swedes. The Swedes are so fucking cool. This song brings back memories of being 5.

Hair Inspiration for dem '70s days

2008-11-18T19:36:00.000-08:00

2008-11-17T19:02:00.000-08:00

2008-11-10T14:13:00.000-08:00

Today's a beautiful day! Go take a walk :)

2008-11-08T00:05:00.000-08:00

For all the great moments in my life there has to be very low moments as well to even it out. Thanks Balancers of Thulasi's Life! You're really not da bomb!

Today while playing a passionate game of air hockey I procalimed, "I AM HROTHGAR!" It came out of nowhere, but I have sealed my identity in the Senior Literary Figure Match-Up unintentionally!

Obama & the World

2008-11-05T16:04:00.000-08:00

It's really awe-inspiring to see the effect of Obama outside of the US. Today I saw a facebook event started by someone in France that has gotten alot of attendees. People outside of the US feel that he is the ingredient to lead in their hope for the future, just like here. This is the description:

OBAMA PRESIDENT!

Wherever you're from, wherever you are, wherever you will be, please celebrate Obama's victory and the beginning of a new era in the world in partyying all nite long!
Whatever is your origin, his election shows to every country of this world that peace and humanity can BE. Change is need... let's rock our world and make it better!

Nous nous devons de montrer le soutien de la France a la nouvelle Amérique, faisons la fete!
Nous qui sommes les futurs citoyens du monde, profitons de cette révolution pour montrer a quel point la France et les jeunes Français sont pour l' Amérique de Barack Obama!

Prévenez tous vos amis!

LET'S GET THE PARTY STARTED

O B A M A P R E S I D E N T a new era is coming
♥

Fall in LA..sorta

2008-11-04T17:01:00.001-08:00

There ain't nothin' like driving with the windows down when the air's crisp!

Lusting After

2008-11-03T00:56:00.000-08:00

♥Cheap Monday's non-jeans pieces

Fashion Exhibits going on NOW

2008-11-02T20:39:00.000-08:00

Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs1913–2008
October 26, 2008–March 1, 2009 Hammer Building @ LACMA

@ De Young in Frisco

totes making a trip there...their Vivienne Westwood retrospective 2 years ago wuz da shiet.

Halloween Madness

2008-10-28T21:04:00.000-07:00

The Busy P x Nike Air Force 1

This is going down:

This is going down:

AND this is going down:

ED REC LA TAKEOVER to protect & entertain

Elephant

2008-10-27T23:24:00.000-07:00

I watched Elephant tonight. I put it on my netflix queue when it came out in like, 2004, and it finally made its way here this week. It was very well done. It had a rawness in reality (i.e. the characters' names are the real names of the actors). The film's scenes were so ominous without being overt. I was scared at first to watch it while home alone, but I was intrigued through it all. Props.

I hate making a resume.

Intro to Holy Basil!

2008-10-26T17:18:00.001-07:00

My big kid LJ*!

I love the concept of you, blog. Unlike the countless diaries/journals I've kept throughout the years, I think I may be able to maintain you. I say that every time I start a log of my life, though. This will be more of a stream-of-consciousness deal. With the almost-thoughtless C&P** behavior through the internet, this can work out. What I'm feelin', what I'm likin', what I'm thinkin'. in'. My forest of post-it notes webified.

*LiveJournal
**copy & paste

these footnotes will help me when I'm old and/or delusional and look back on this. and for any lurkers. Hi lurker!