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MARVEL-OUS December 29 2008
This past summer, our paths crossed with DJ Mike Marvel from the East Bay. I somehow came across his website that's also an online store for his mixtapes. The purchase of several CDs resulted in a friendship. It began by exchanging accolades - him for his music (and CD covers) and me for CA. So we sent him a t-shirt; Cultural Hybridity because he empathized with its message. Just recently, Mike and I reconnected because of a new 90s mix he had released. I consider it his best work to date. It really is a throwback down memory lane. You know, the time of pager code, Street Fighter II, overalls, and flannel plaid shirts. But what I really loved about "I Heart the 90s" is in the acknowledgement. There's a picture of Mike in his Cultural Hybridity tee. Thanks, dude.
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ARTSY FARTSY December 28 2008 Art & CA Team & Los Angeles
This year, LA was fortunate enough to have some good art exhibits. MOCA had Murakami, JANM had Mike Shinoda, the Michael Kohn Gallery had a rare look at Andy Warhol. We were lucky to experience a lot of them. For this best of, we chose the two best art shows of '08.KIM - Shepard Fairey's "Imperfect Union" at the Merry Karnowsky Gallery because "the message is in the medium".
TRICIA - Takashi Murakami's "Davey Jones' Tear" at Blum & Poe because "out of his element, he still kicked ass".
Mr. Brainwash's "Life is Beautiful" at the old CBS Studios came a VERY close second for the both of us. That one was seriously an explosion of talent; a real feast for the eyes.
GOTTA HAVE IT December 28 2008 CA Team
Since childhood, I've always been somewhat of a collector. Pogs, Upper Deck basketball cards, Swatch watches, friendship bracelets, and Xmen figures. That's now changed to sneakers, sunglasses, books, vinyl toys, and even cameras. This year, Kim and I got into even more items. So we decided for this best of, we'd change it up a bit and do "biggest addiction of '08".Kim's been into vinyl toys for awhile now. She's got a decent collection of Medicom, Kid Robot, and Toy Island. And now Hasbro can be added to that. Earlier this year, their vinyl toys called "Mighty Muggs" (made from 100% recycled awesome) were introduced. Since then, many favorite characters from Star Wars, Marvel, and Transformers were made into chunky 6" figures. She's almost got all of them by now.
My addiction has no relation to the abovementioned items. Venti iced black teas from Starbucks. Besides water, this is all I drink (sometimes three times a day). I save my cup from my morning fix and use it throughout the day because refills are only 50 cents. Since the beginning of the year, I've become a familiar face at my neighborhood Starbucks and at the one near the office. It's great; I can surpass the long lines and go straight to the cashier with my cash. I got pull with the baristas. Whaaaat?
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QUIZ SHOW December 27 2008
Last week while posting the best movies in '08, I promised myself that I would add more titles to my watched list. That list has increased to 11; I watched "Slumdog Millionaire" and I might just have to take Will Ferrell's reign and hand it over to Dev Patel.
Largely set against the then unprogressive country of India, the story revolves around 18 year old Jamal's destined appearance on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire". Though he is deemed a cheater or a genius, he is neither of the two. It just so happens that each question asked reminded him of some (intriguing) life experience. As you learn more about him and his spirit, you're taken through this transformation of both setting and character. It's about hustle, the underdog, brotherhood, and the very reason for his gameshow cameo - a girl.
For good measure, the movie completes with a Bollywood dance scene. And the soundtrack is actually good. I thought that my Indian music liking began and ended with Punjabi MC and Jay-Z's "Beware of the Boys", but it didn't. I'd buy it, and I'd also buy the book that the movie is based on. So if you haven't seen it, you gotta check it out. The story telling is just that good.
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EATS December 27 2008 CA Team
Hands down, Los Angeles is the best city for food. Yes, we have our share of pretentious joints along famed boulevards, but at the heart of LA are those 'local' spots that offer diversity and that homecooked - almost indigenous - feel. Around my hood, I can walk to Michoacan, Argentinian, and Mediterranean restaurants. Around Kim's, she can walk to Ethiopian, Carribean, and Peruvian ones. There's always something new to try. So for this best of, we chose the two best new restaurants of '08. Our old favorites deserve mention, too. Khun Khao, Kuishimbo, El Tarasco, Chano's, and the taco truck along Chase Street. We got nothing but love.KIM - Soot Bul Gui Rim for Korean BBQ on Vermont and 3rd
TRICIA - Cici's Cafe for breakfast on Reseda and Ventura
