Crimson Star

Ladybug sightings

2011-04-04T16:44:00.000-07:00

Had a day to myself last Wednesday (March 30th) and decided to head down to the beach and enjoy the warm weather and sunny skies. During my reflective walk down the south side of Seal Beach I noticed something strange. First off the winter sand mound that helps to protect the downtown homes had been leveled, officially signaling the end of winter. The next and much more exciting discovery I found as I dodged the crashing surf, were all the Ladybugs riding the shore break and on the beach. This find made my day, though I was puzzled by why all these ladybugs where here. After doing a little research apparently since it's spring time and there were warm conditions, the ladybugs were hatching. Wind conditions also may of had something to do with it, when the local Santa Ana winds blow out towards the ocean the ladybugs go with the flow. However they got there, good for them, getting some beach time in before hitting up the gardens! FUN FACT: LB's live 1-2 years.

Yup

2011-03-18T10:27:00.000-07:00

So yes, I'm still alive. Though my bank account is almost on life support. The joys of Commission. Good times.
So yeah, quick update on things. My heart goes out to those in Japan who lost their lives and who are struggling though the aftermath. It was heartbreaking to watch the tsunami on live TV, just a surreal feeling. Very similar to when I was watching the morning news on 9/11/01, and saw the second plane hit. I just felt numb, and in disbelief as to what I had just witnessed. I'm keeping an eye open for a chance to go over to Japan and help out, we'll see how that turns out.
What else...a late season rain is supposed to hit us this weekend. I love the rain, and hate to see winter go. So I'll be soaking up this last gift from above, splash in a few puddles, and let my units yell at me for not having a coat on when it's only 60 outside.

Return of F N M

2010-12-06T18:46:00.000-08:00

Flashback to around a year ago...One of my favorite and influential(to me) bands had reunited. News that Faith No More had regrouped and would be playing festivals in Europe had me wanting to travel for a specific reason...to please my ears. Sadly travel was not in the budget and with the only dates scheduled far far away, I felt I was missing something grand. FF to two months ago. FNM had added a second date in Los Angeles. I was beside myself, and got tickets as they went on sale for the Hollywood Palladium. Reviews of their shows I'd read were very positive. Last Wednesday I got to hear for myself...I was not disappointed. The band took the stage as if they had never left. An hour and a half of solid sound rang the crowd into a frenzy, allowing me and my amigo to be just 3 deep from center stage and Mike Patton and friends. Not since 311 at the Bren Center had I been squeezed and crushed so much, but it was soo worth it. Mikes vocals were spot on and Bordin's drum beats along with his trademark dreads took me back when rock still rocked. Song after song, I could have fought the crowd for another 3 hours but before I knew it the night was over. Their final North American show of the reunion tour was over. I feel I need to revisit each of their records again to further appreciate what they have given the world. I would love to experience them again. I took a few pics with my crap camera phone (see below). For some quality pics of the action check out LA weekly's photos of our Dec 1st show. http://www.laweekly.com/slideshow/faith-no-more-the-palladium-31976265/

Music

2010-11-08T15:28:00.000-08:00

After a long blog layoff...here we go.

Music is one of the best parts of life in my opinion. Linked to life even if you don't quite realize it. For example: Last song of H.S. prom: Black by Pearl Jam; and I could go on listing extensivly. So needless to say, I enjoy most types of music and love going to see live shows. The first recent show I checked out was an old high school friend actually. Playing under the name N.Sputnik http://music.nsputnik.com/ this was the second time I'd experienced N.Sputnik's smooth trippy sounds. The bleeps churps and tones blend into a sensation that likely could not be perfectly replicated twice, which makes each time new...different, amazing.

N.Sputnik will likely be playing more shows in the LA/OC area soon. Catch his experimental grooves if ambient is your style.

Part 2 of this post is music/LA lifestyle based.
A few weeks back I was eager to get my dance on, and not just at the local club, I wanted to see Paul Oakenfold! I'd grown up on his stuff, though in recent years my tastes had taken me away from the big DJ sounds. Well, I'm glad to be back. After standing in line over an hour outside the Music box in Hollywood, I was in. Last time I'd gone to a late night/after hours music event was when I was on Mykonos in Greece. I had a blast dancing till dawn, and was eager to see how things would go in Los Angeles. I was treated to the bass heavy beats of DJ Chuckie till about 1:45am. The Chuckster was a crowd favorite and seemed to feed off the crowd, everybody was having a nice time. It was prior to his set ending that I gave up my ride home, so that I could actually stay finish listening to Chuckie and finally see Oakenfold. This ment I would be hitting the streets of H.Wood at bout 4:15am to try and get home to north Orange County. But I had tons more dancing to do before that happened. Oakenfold took to the stage and did not disapoint. His lighter style is more to my liking and as the morning grew later the crowd thinned a bit. Better viewing for me, and more dance space so I was not complaining.

As Oakenfold faded out the last song, I felt great, content with a sweet show. As I walked out the door that slowly changed.

The options I had for getting home at 4:20am in LA are very limited. One of the things I really dislike about this area. Amazingly the Red Line metro's first train started at 4:50am at a nearby station. This was good news, even if it was a half hour wait for the train. The first train was amazingly populated with a few late nighters as well as people going to/from work. Downtown I make the switch to the Blue Line and head toward Long Beach. It was at this point I did not know what my next move would be. From Wardlow station, could I get a cab to get me home for the $20 I had left in my wallet? Because I used to ride the Blue Line when I worked downtown, I seemed to remember a bus that went to Seal Beach, but at 5:45 in the morning? The bus service started at 6 but took me to downtown SB, close but still aways away from my pad. I attempted calling 2 cab companies but niether would service where I was. It was at this point I decided to let public transport control my desteny. It was near 6 now and I did not have change for the bus. Purchasing Skittles at a service station I now had some smaller bills as I waited across the street for a bus, that hopefully would show up soon.

Thankfully it did, around 6:10am. This first bus had one other rider aside from myself. Still under cover of darkness the bus snaked through LB and eventually ended up on Main St. SB. Close but...still far. A short walk over to SB blvd. I was unsure when exactly the next bus would be coming by, so I walked some more. Up the hill to the main base enterance. Another bus! Closer still but still a good ways away. I ride up the blvd to Katella and get off. I again need change since OCTA does not offer transfers. Finding out when the bus I need down Katella will not be by for a half hour. It's 7:25am and I don't feel like waiting around for that long, so I walk on. Not a bad trek but I'm ready for some sleep at this point. A block or so from home I see the bus cruise by, and I'm surprisingly fine with that. A great evening over all, just took a little longer to hit my pillow than I had hoped. Good times!

Flickr Slide Show

2010-07-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

This is a brief sample of some of my older photos that I still have up on flickr. Special thanks to Mike B. for instructions on how to embed this in!

It was time

2010-07-16T23:48:00.000-07:00

It goes
7/15/10

Back to the shack,
careful not to break a back,
expressions unseen to the naked eye
are not truely expressed now are are they,
just lay back down,
all dressed up,
with no place to go,
wave goodbye to the show,
when you don't really need it,
it's always there,
and so it goes,
on into the night,
far from the sun,
so far gone,
a final easing of the pain.

'Euro Trash' Art Exhibit

2010-06-20T11:03:00.000-07:00

Through a random art inquiry this show was mentioned to me. I'm so glad I decided to go ahead and check out the exhibit, and recrute a couple friends along for the ride. It runs through next weekend so get there and check it out if you are into street/mixed media art type stuff. The Gallery is in Bev Hills..90210. http://www.lazinc.com/exhibitions/
I really enjoyed the works by JR, Conor Harrington, as well as Vhils. Vhils stuff was amazing in person, my cell camera does not do it any justice.

Vhils

Vhils

JR

Vhils

Vhils

The Great Motivator

2010-06-08T12:20:00.000-07:00

After a bit of a stagnant period I feel reinvigorated, strangely after being burned by a friend/business associate. This is the second time in my life this has happened. I cannot wrap my brain around how someone you help out and dedicate time to can so easily dismiss you. Without so much as a statement or explanation. I'm not looking for a confrontation, but is it that hard to be straight up and honest with someone and just explain the situation and the reasoning? I suppose this is the age of disposable friends, but seriously.

If the years of dedication and support without asking for more than a thank you is to high of a price to pay, then so be it. The burning of the bridge has only fueled my fire, so for that I guess I say...Thank you.

From the Vault

2010-05-18T09:34:00.000-07:00

I recently cracked open a binder from back when I was in school. The following is one of the writings I found:

4-14-98

Arms are tight,
the skin aged,
his hair is grayed from the passing of years,
his shirt,
weathered,
missing buttons cause a flapping in the air
as he mossies past the vintage furniture store,
his head droops slightly,
keeping the sun from his darkened, leathery face,
his smoke black dress shoes have little sole left,
the cow hide is cracked,
but obviously comfortable as he shuffles over the
sparkling sidewalk.

Scoot! Magazine Submissions

2010-03-24T21:10:00.000-07:00

I submitted several pictures for Scoots' art issue last week. No word if any were accepted so thought I would post'em here.

Hogmany

2010-01-29T21:55:00.000-08:00

The real Helter Skelter! If it wasn't raining I totally would have gone to the top and then gone for a ride.

Bloc, a "red" themed bar. Site of beverages before we rang in the new year at George's Square.

Kelvingrove Park's frozen water fountain.

What I would drive if I lived anywhere else.

St. Cyrus area beach.

The above photos are from my recent trip to Scotland over New Years. Despite the heaviest snow fall in the UK in 20 years it was an amazing trip. Cities visited: Aberdeen, Montrose, St. Cyrus, Glasgow. http://www.winterfestglasgow.com/

Q: to the masses that frequent this blog

2010-01-18T01:10:00.000-08:00

Thoughts on the layout changes? Good or bad? I like it for the most part, aside from the old school brown wall paper look pattern. To drab perhaps?

UPDATE 1/26: Look has been changed again, no og brown wall paper look. Enjoy!

Colorado Winter

2009-12-25T00:40:00.001-08:00

Mitchell Hurwitz Discusses His Plans For The Arrested Development Movie | /Film

2009-10-26T14:58:00.001-07:00

Mitchell Hurwitz Discusses His Plans For The Arrested Development Movie | /Film

Posted using ShareThis

Where the wild things are

2009-10-19T11:33:00.000-07:00

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113653690

The above review, echoes my feelings after seeing the movie. I enjoyed it, but still felt it was missing something. It deals with some heavy subject matter, and in my opinion would be a bit boring for a pre-teen. Visually I thought they did a great job. The puppets and locations take you away to where the wild things are, just wish there was more to do there than argue.

Spike and Mike's - The Best of No Neck Joe

2009-08-14T22:42:00.001-07:00

"Yo Joe!"

The woes of having no neck!

View >>

Central Cali Walkabout

2009-07-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

Having lots of time on my hands this year, I had yet to really take advantage and travel like you always dream about when you are trapped behind a desk. Last weekend I was finally able to blaze a trail out of the LA metro area and hit the open roads of central California. Though hot this time of year I always enjoy the open fields and wide open skies. Up I-5 to Lost Hills and the 46 where you climb out of the central valley and eventually into wine country and Paso Robles. I have fond memories of PR because of the fun times spent at Lake Nacimiento years back. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Nacimiento Taking the 101 North now, the highway seems to go on forever. I stop in King City for a food break and to give my motor coach a breather. Back on the hwy up to Salinas the coastal fog brings a lovely cooling sensation. Now I cut toward the coast and roll through Castroville "the artichoke center of the world", I never knew there was such a place. Slow going up to Santa Cruz I finally stop for gas. 377mi on 13.3gal not to shabby. I was close, Pigeon Point was only 30min or so away. A few minutes out got a great view of the sunset over the cliffs and ocean, it was lovely. Keeping my eyes peeled for the lighthouse it was hard to spot as the coastal fog rolled in, but I did catch it on the first pass. Checking in, I got my key to my dorm room. Dropping off my goods, I headed out with my camera to check out the area. It was tough going though with the sunlight fading and the fog thickening. I was also a bit disappointed that the lighthouse is no longer fully lit, but it was still sweet to see it doing it's thing in the fog. After a day of driving I skipped attempting to find a bar and called it a night.

The next morning I walked around the grounds again and read up on the lighthouse. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigeon_Point_Lighthouse After checking out I headed back towards Santa Cruz for some food. Found a great local spot outside of town, and enjoyed pancakes, eggs and sausage. After eating I headed for the redwoods. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cowell_Redwoods_State_Park Flashback to when I was a kid, right next to the park is Roaring Camp which is a old school train that goes up and around the mountains. I choose not to relive the past, but it was still a blast to see them chugging around. After hitting the small info station I made my way into the giant redwoods. It was great being in the shade out of the heat and hiking next to the river. So quiet and peaceful, it made me wish for lush forests closer to home. After several hours of hiking I started to make my way back to the car. I do wish I had all this right in my back yard.

LBC Revisited

2009-06-15T21:16:00.000-07:00

This is the preschool I attended on third street. Back in the day there were only a couple of toys in the yard. Looks like wall to wall items these days. The main memory I have from going here is a messy situation involving a tricycle. Yeah, it was smelly.

The intersection of 7th and Redondo. Main memories of this corner are the Bistro Bar which is now called the Bull i believe. The Bistro was run by Fay an old lady who sold pitchers for $5 I wanna say. Had many a fun, mellow nights playing cheap pool and old board games. My grandmother used to work in a travel store on the same corner in the 80's.

This is an old party pad on 8th Street. Several of my close friends lived at this house in the late 90's. The front fence was not there back then. Great memories of Jamming in the front room till late in the evening and gay neighbors yelling at each other in the middle of the night in the front yard.

OK Burger on Lakewood and Sterns. No real connection to this place, I may have eaten here at some point. Did it used to be a taco bell or was there a tb next to it? Hmmm....

Long Beach Airport, with Signal Hill in the background. A major Jet Blue hub, I wish I travelled domestic more just because it is so convenient.

The old DC Jets sign. This sign has been up forever it seems like. Former Douglas air hanger, now Boeing. This is where they assemble plane parts. Located off Lakewood blvd. and next to Vets Stadium.

I'd been meaning to do this for sometime but never seemed to have the time. With my current situation being as it is, the opportunity presented itself recently to grab some shots of some spots in Long Beach CA that had significance to me.

New Futurama!

2009-06-10T18:43:00.000-07:00

Good news for those of us that enjoy cartoons! Futurama will be coming back with new episodes on Comedy Central. When the series originally aired I only managed to catch a few episodes but thanks to cable and Tivo, I'm nearly positive I've seen every episode up till this point. At first glance it's your basic toon, but paying closer attention, the dialog and story lines are anything but basic. Nice work writers! Bender gets to bend again thanks to Comedy Central!

Travis pics

2009-04-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

Travis at HOB Anaheim

2009-04-20T18:26:00.000-07:00

Saw Scotland's Travis last week for the second time. After seeing them a few years back I thought it hard to believe they could put on a better show, but it was possible. They played a good mix of the old stuff along with new tunes from the 'Ode to..' album. Fran did some nice work making it down into the crowd for a whole song and then singing 'Sarah' on his own after coming back for the encore. Next song Andy joined him on stage for a rendition of 'I kissed a girl', it was great. Special moments like these along with so many great songs (many which were not even singles) make them one of the best live acts I've ever seen.

Video killed the radio star, but who killed the radio station in L.A.?

2009-04-06T18:56:00.000-07:00

A month or two back I was sickened to learn that yet another radio station that I liked was biting the dust. http://indie1031.fm/ Indie, a station that I had heard and watched grow was going away after about a 5 year run. It was like loosing a friend. No longer there for me on my morning commute, or my afternoon ride home. Gone were the varied play lists and various shows that had comforted me through the years. Now we (the rock lovers) are left with a station or two that play the same 15-20 songs a day, and it isn't right...it just isn't right. For an audience that is so massive I find it hard to believe that we have been left with so few options. It's amazing how many great bands there are out there that never get heard over the airwaves. Indie 103.1 changed that, even if only for a brief period in time. I thank them for broadening my musical tastes. Variety truly is the spice of life. Though still able to listen via the Internet, I do miss them everyday in my car. Another notch in the post of good stations gone.

-Indie 103.1
-Y107
-Groove 103.1
-Mars
-KNAC 105.5
-Pirate Radio 100.3

Los Angeles Tour Guide

2009-02-18T20:53:00.000-08:00

I recently had the pleasure of being tour guide for a friend who was in town for a couple weeks. I decided not to really plan ahead, but to get some input from my visitor about what the 'must see' places might be for them. A funny thing happened with this method. I ended up going some places I'd never been before...doing some things I never had done before. Aside from the traffic, parking fees (though we did utilize the metro blue and red line one day), and unusual wet weather, it was a fun adventure.

Spots visited: Cypress, Seal Beach, Sunset Beach, Hollywood, Sunset Strip, Marine Mammal Center, Laguna Beach, Belmont Shores, Wilshire, Beverly Hills, Getty Center, Holocaust Museum(yes LA does have a small one), Santa Monica, Disneyland, Orange, Huntington Beach, North Long Beach, Downtown Los Angeles