Through the hallway of shatterproof glass

Lately I have found myself going to see a lot of music. I was decidedly burnt out on going to shows at the end of my tenure in San Francisco, but despite all of my complaining (expensive drinks, annoying crowds and the inevitable sore feet) its something I quite enjoy.

I checked out The National at The Wiltern the other night. It was grand. I haven't listened to much of them, but they put on a good show. I didn't feel like taking any photos but you can see some here

The tickets were compliments of the lovely Heather Ryan to whom I am forever indebted. I also ran into some blasts from the past, which is always nice. And I must say that The Wiltern green room had a rather diverse offering of soda (Diet Dr. Pepper AND Country Time Lemonade in a can). I suppose such things are only exciting to me...

Anyway, I had also heard that Band of Horses was playing a private show at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery. I thought maybe it was not in the cards for me to attend, but I got a last minute text from Mr. Awesome, Dan Hadley saying he had been able to get me on the list! I had 20 minutes to get across LA during rush hour to make the show. I don't know how I did it, but I made it before the show started. And what a show it was!

WOW. It really was just one of the coolest things I have ever seen. The show was in the chapel mausoleum on the cemetery grounds. There were only about 100 people there and the band played acoustic. So it was just right. And Dan did an amazing job on the lights, which truly made it that much more rad. I don't really know who the other people were that were in attendance, but it seemed to be a mixture of fans, bored fashionistas and record label types who stood nervously in the back incessantly checking their iPhones.

I kept thinking that it was a pleasure to be there and not have to work. Or do anything, really except sit back with a glass of wine and listen. They played only for about an hour and in addition to many of their beloved songs they did a cover of Gram Parson's "A Song for You". Which was amazing. Its one of those songs that I have been randomly hearing everywhere. I have often lamented that the Parsons version reveals how trashed his voice was by the time he recorded that song. You can hear 1000 cigarettes and late night parties in his voice. But the Band of Horses version was flawless.

A very dear friend has pointed out that one of the ways to find happiness is to simply appreciate simple things. And this was one of those things. I was so thankful to Dan who went out of his way to get me into the show and I guess I was just glad I got to see it. I know I am super gushy. But it was one of the many examples of awesome that are out there for us to pay attention to. So yeah. Good couple of days.

underneath and unexplored

Busy times. But oddly enough I don't feel like I am crossing very many things off of my never ending to-do list. Baby steps I suppose.

Miss Heather Ryan is in town this week. And I feel the need to stop for a minute and say that she is probably one of the most genuinely nice people I know. I have known her for years and have flaked on her numerous times. And she still roots for me. She was on the tour I did last year, and as I mentioned back then, I don't know what I would have done without her. Its nice to know you can maintain friendships despite geographical limitations. That reminds me, I owe a few folks phone calls....

Any way. We met up in Hollywood and despite the unnerving scenester crowd, the whole gang seemed to be in good spirits.

PS, I don't think dude in the back with the goatee knew anyone. Apparently he was just excited by the groups' collective jovial mood. Good times.



Oh and here is some adorabs of LJ drying her mommys' hair.

Echelon your dreams and they'll come true

Lately I seem to be hanging out in places that are impossibly low lit.



This is telling of how shitty of a photographer I am. This is a place Jen took me in Silverlake. Its a restaurant owned by the son of Grace Slick. I wish you could tell how charming it is.

Also went to see the Parkes', which is always a pleasure. Their stories are mostly hysterical. This was on their fridge. Its from a booth at Dave and Buster's that shows you what your baby would look like. Notice how felon-esque Chris looks.



Apparently their child, although adorable, is meant to be born with a cleft palate....



Also checked in with Erica and Baby A. I am so sad they are moving considering the Dustons are some of the few people I know in LA (this is untrue but feels accurate sometimes). Poor little kiddo just got over the chicken pox!



She was in good spirits despite being itchy.

Finally, Lucas and Lexi invited me out to meet a group of visiting Parisians. They were rad!





Emilie made the comment that she often looks bored in photos. Oh and L &L are doing the "Renee Zellweger" in this one. Hilarious




Random, entertaining bouts of social interaction.

Type Slowly

Bee happy

So not a lot going on that is newsworthy the last few weeks. I have been working a lot and generally trying to stay motivated, despite my very cush work schedule that lends itself to sleeping in and lounging in my pajamas! I also got a speeding ticket, which caused me to get my crap together and take care of a whole bunch of annoying things that I had been putting off. Now I see why people have assistants. Being an adult is hard!

Being a kid on the other hand, looks like its the most fun. LJ is 2 now and talking a whole bunch. She says things like "That's MY robot, Hari" and "I like it!" and "I'm a chillin, mommie". She is also seemingly getting used to me taking photos all her of the time and has become quite the little ham.







Also, this is seemingly not a big deal, but my sister and I have been waiting YEARS for her to grow enough hair for pig tails. FINALLY!!!



Welcome to the world of head accessories, little one. When I put this on her head she kept saying "I don't like it".

She's a lady

Holy SHEET. Have you seen this? I guess the secret is out that I love Lady GaGa. How can you not?

Speaking of dirty sexy - the video's director Jonas Akerlund is 6 feet 3 inches of awesome creepiness. Ever seen the movie "Spun" or Madonna's "Ray of Light" video? Remember when Prodigy had that video that had boobies in it that MTV could only play after 10pm? All him. Plus he was in fucking Bathory !!!

Wow....

Af-fiction-ate

SO I won't bore you with all of the details, but LJ's 2nd birthday party was last weekend. It involved a lot of food and pals (of both the grown up and child variety) and one adorable little lady dressed as Minnie Mouse (ears and all). My sister made this cake with the help of LJ's aunts on her dad's side. AMAZING!



I don't even know a little bit about how one would go about making something like that.

Also spent the day with this guy.



One armed-style Patricio. Although his injury is in no way funny, it was pretty entertaining watching him try to manage with the use of only one of his hands.

We fed some weird birds in Echo Park. Please also see photo of above of some sort of mutant chicken/ duck hybrid thing next to Pat. They get right up on you when they figure out you have food.



Sort of dreamy there though.





Don't you think?

Home is wherever I'm with you

So I like LA, but after months of change upon change and even a few false starts, its nice to just meet up with some pals in your home town. I hated Boulder for a long time after I left the first time. But I have learned to love it a little bit again in my old age. At this point, I see it as a big part of who I am, but I also don't relate to most of its population and/or culture. WHY do people there wear shorts when its snowing out? What was with that girl we saw in flip flops and capri pants when it was 30 degrees out? Do they wish they lived somewhere warmer? Because its real nice here in LA..... There are many other things I don't care for about that place (want to meet a town full of new age, self-righteous zealots?) but really I just went back to see my besties and have a little fun.

Cara


Sarah!


PS - Red is the new grey which is the new black.



And for one night only an appearance by Christian (who is actually quite good looking despite his aversion to the camera. I guess you will have trust me on this one)



And Terbo!


This was actually the last night I was there and it got a little crazy and dancy. I asked Sarah if I always look like this when I bust moves.



Buddies. Cara wins Best Dressed, as always. Sarah, most congenial. Me? I feel its just an honor to be nominated.



I marveled at this painting for some time. Notice how small the left hand is......

Is this what heaven looks like?



Sarah is the best at the incognito "Say Anything" style photo op.



Lou Perka.



And Jen D. Doesn't it look like I made a do rag out my hair?



Thank you for being a friend......