i. heart. hackers.

hackers entice me
cyber dogs and entwined dreads
fleshy guns conquer


BBC reports...."The FBI says it has cracked a major international cyber crime network after more than 90 suspected members of the ring were arrested in the US."

you're life a lfe support system for a cock

the doom generation

written and directed by Greg Araki
1995

just a few favourite moments and a trailer that will only entice

Jordan: "lying here, like we're two sp0ons stacked in a drawer. I hope we die simultaneously, like in a fiery car wreck, or in a nuclear bomb or blast or something"
Amy: "You're so romantic"
Jordan: "No, for reals. I don't want to ever have to miss you."
Amy: "Ditto"

a continuing super sad true love story

if you need more of a reason to pick up this fucking book
xx

"
SALLYSTAR: I didn't say anything, Eunice. You don't have to defend him. Just make sure he takes off his shoes if he ever comes into the house.
EUNI-TARD: Ha ha. I know. White people are sick that way. They could have just stepped in poo or a homeless person.
SALLYSTAR: SICK!
"
pg 172

"Four young people committed suicide in our building complexes, and two of them wrote suicide notes about how they couldn't see the future with out their apparati. Once wrote quite eloquently, about how he "reached out to life," but found there only "walls and thoughts and faces," which weren't enough. He had to be ranked, to know his place in this world.And that may sounds ridiculous, but I can understand him. We are all bored out of our fucking minds. My hands are itching for connection..."
pg 270

open your ears

if this doesn't remind you how wonderful life is, then I don't know what would

pick up a fucking book

super sad true love story

by. gary shteyngart.

"All right, Mediastuds and Mediawhores," Noah said. " we're streaming live here as Lenny Abramov tries to FAC for the first time. This is a future-reference event, folks, so widen your bandwidth. This is like the Wright brothers learning to fly, except neither of them was mildly retarded like our boy Lenny here. JBF, Nee-gro. Tell me if I'm going too far. Or wait. There's no such thing as too far in Rubenstein's America. Too far is when you're shot in the back if the head somewhere Upstate and the National Guard burns your body to a crisp and flushes down a cold winter's port-a-potty at some Secure Screening Facility in Troy." pg 89

exit/entrance

yes, the promotions for the Irish theater was not the most enticing hook. But thanks to my mum, she saw beyond. The play was an emotionally stirring in-the-flesh theatrical experience. Describing the play as well written is an injustice.

Exit/Entrance is written by Aidan Matthews and Directed by M. Burke Walker.


running till October 3rd

Taking place at 59E59. (a very small...well 3 different stages- each seating 50-ish people.... intimate playhouse. with a bar. whiskey.)

check it

open your ears

air. alpha. beta. gaga.


Air Alpha Beta Gaga: watch the
Uploaded by ocima7. - See the latest featured music videos.

pick up a fucking book

A Single Man By Christopher Isherwood

"Lois and ALexander are by far the most beautiful creatures in the class; their beauty is like the beauty of plants, seemingly untroubled by vanity, anxiety or effort." pg 61

open your ears

pick up a fucking book

I began the process of defrosting and acquainting myself with awful nasal and eye problems (what East Coasters call allergies) with A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers (published 2000).

"we were wearing what we always wear, shorts and t-shirts, having decided, after thinking about what to wear and then remembering not to think about what to wear, to wear what we would have worn had we not been thinking about what to wear." p 244


"the variety of
malformities, the unexpected flaws, the premature sagging, all the tattoos, flowers and snakes, how hairy all the crotches are, bursting from panties and briefs, that one woman who, even with her breasts obvious, convincing, somehow seems too like a man-
these people.
these people are freaks." p 252

PE

history made.
central park and public enemy august fifteenth

a perfect day

what more than arts'n'crafts and a battery operated record player?

You taste like a burger. I don't like you anymore.

Thank you Sunshine Landmark Theater. Midnight viewings are on. Although I would love to be viewing the films that began the whole midnight theater experience..Rocky Horror, Pink Flamingos, Harold and Maude and The Harder They Come...I am ecstatic that the films are cult and quite camp. This past weekend was WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER. The perfect summer movie, especially if you've been to camp.

..whats next? Shaun of the Dead? Blue Velvet? Warriors?
there.

you're wearing silk socks with a tweed jacket

What more could I want from this city. The last viewing of Breathless at the Film Forum at 22 10. Bottle of wine. Plastic Cups. The film finishes and hunger sets in. Sushi at 1am? LA style? Yes please.

execute the clowns

This is what I would spend my money on. It was love at first sight. Three different paintings by Mike Cockrill. I wish I was the one to brain storm this theme, and to have the ability to paint (I have a sad disability).

The paintings were the first items in the busy room to catch my eye. Now this means quite a lot. The paintings caught my eye before the band made up of all star musicians (David Bowies' saxophonist) and the constant drip of icy sugar into absinthe.

Paintings portraying sweet, anime school girls executing clowns has won my heart and mind. Perhaps these paintings spoke to me because of my dislike towards clowns. And to see innocent-looking children murdering disgusting clowns filled my heart with joy and elation.

Pictured is "Decapitated Clown" by Mike Cockrill (2004). The art work was displayed at the venue Collective Hardware where the opening night of Tools for Thought: Rebuild Haiti was held.

Another painting (which I seriously would have bought on the spot if I was not skint) caught my attention because of the small details that made the painting fantastic. The canvas was mainly filled with a young boys face, his eyes covered by mirrored aviator sunglasses. In the reflection of the glasses are two bodies- one belonging to a small girl and the other belonging to a clown being lynched by the girl. In the far distance behind the young boy is a shadowy figure digging a grave for the freshly hung clown. Sensational.

*Originally written and published by With Flaws Zine

the ultimate chick flick scene

I always thought a film festival would open with an ultimate art house film with exquisite cinematography, impressive dialogue and actors that can act.
Well, that was not the case for the opening night of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival at the Arlington Theatre, featuring the film: Flying Lessons. Directed by Gideon Raff, the film is about a girl named Sophie (played by Kate Mara) who escaped to Los Angeles from her high schools years in Santa Ynez. She runs out of money and decides to go back home to obtain more money from her superficial mother. Turns out the mother has no money after her husband (Sophie's dad) commits suicide. Sophie reconnects with her high school sweetheart and her best friend, she also decides to take on a job to earn some money. The job is babysitting an older man who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer disease.

Sounds super depressing doesn't it? The problem is, the script was awful, so awful the sad story was quite funny and cheesy. The actors were alright, they could act, but nothing special. Perhaps I should blame the script for the decent acting. The only wonderful aspect of this film was the cinematography. The way the film captured the marvelous landscape of Santa Ynez wine country reminded me landscape paintings. The opening of the film was filmed in an interesting, but good way. Sophie is dancing in club at 6 am, but only single body parts are filmed at a time. The camera filming her ear, then arm, moving to the calf, then her neck, then to her hand, and on to her foot. I also like that scene because although Sophie was dancing, it was not filmed in a provocative, slutty manner.

But seriously, this film was so awfully sad, it was a joke. Here is the icing on the cake. It lays with the ending scene. Sophie has decided it is time to escape home once more, but try New York this time. The camera is on her face as she lights up a cigarette at the Greyhound Bus Station. The camera then pans upward to a birds eye view and then behind her- exhibiting her back and a bus she is watching. The bus is letting passengers off, the camera then zooms into the logo on the bus. Then the engine begins to rev and the bus begins to pull away. Lo and behold, Sophies' high school fucking sweetheart is standing behind the stupid bus. End of movie. What a joke! The ultimate chick flick scene, and it was soooo obvious that the scene was going to end with the revealing of the sweetheart. That kind of shit pisses me off.

I was quite surprised the Santa Barbara International Film Festival opened the 11 day event with Flying Lessons. The film can be summed up by a quote from a lovely man who was entering the Gala following the film: "I feel sad because it was such a bad film".

the smell of grapes

I headed for Santa Barbara for wine, film and reconnecting.

Wine tasting was incredible. Three different wineries included fantastic wines (oh Pinot Noir and Cabs) and beautiful food. Gainey Vineyard was the first on the list. (http://www.gaineyvineyard.com/) It is located (along with the other two wineries) in Santa Ynez and the grounds were beautiful. The tasting bar was made of dark woods and chandeliers made of iron and candles. Although the winery was beautiful the tasting bar was not my favourite experience. The wine server was dressed like a slob...not to mention he wore a backwards baseball cap. The music playing at the tasting bar quickly got on my nerves. Who wants to listen to cheesy pop songs while tasting wine?
Roblar Winery was next. (http://www.roblarwinery.com/) I decided not to wine taste, but to enjoy food. Roblar is not only know for their wine, but for their food. There is a large herb garden right outside of the kitchen and there are cooking classes available for purchase. I decided to try a panini. But this was not any panini. The bread was ciabatta, inside was layered with fresh basil leaves, prosciutto, asiago cheese, sprouts and truffle oil. It was one the most beautiful sandwiches I have ever had. It was salty, but earthy with a hint of bitter/spice. I do love incredible food. Not to mention the service was relaxed, helpful and professional. The music playing through the high ceilings and the wide circular bar of the tasting room was relaxing. The tasting room was beautifully decorated with simplicity and understatements which accentuated the elegance of the large windows and the immense fireplace.
The last winery on the list was Bridlewood. (http://www.bridlewoodwinery.com/) I found this tasting room to be just as beautiful as Gainey and Roblar, but with a professional, but very friendly server. I enjoyed the service of Bridlewood the most because of the professional but knowledgeable and sociable server. The driveway up to the tasting room was lined with trees that had shed their leaves for the winter. It was a bautiful and calm experience.

I am not a professional wine taster, but I very much enjoyed all of the wine I tasted (probably because it was not 2 Buck Chuck!) I wish I had more money to spend on wine and food pairing, but that will have to wait for another wine country visit.

Wine tasting was the perfect way to relax my mind and get back to the basics of what I enjoy in life

Charlie O's Jazz Club

Whenever I travel to a new country, the first on my research list is jazz clubs in the area. Paris, Madrid and Praha have the most memorable jazz clubs...for me that is. I guess my love for a jazz cafe comes from my parents- its in our genes. My parents decided during my visit in LA to take me to this jazz club where they spent their New Years/my dad's birthday.

Charlie O's is dimly lit with paintings of all the greatest jazz musicians, along with head shots of those who graced Charlie O's with their presence. It has a well stocked bar and the menu consists of a steak house foods. The service was fine and food was good too (nothing too memorable). I have only one issue with the place...I had ordered a bourbon on ice, after a few sips I realized there was a fly in my drink. I am thankful it was in the alcohol and not my water...mainly because I am a firm believer of alcohol being a disinfectant.

It was had a decent amount of people in the audience for being a Wednesday night in the middle of Van Nuys. Jack Sheldon California Cool Quartet played, or rather killed most of the time with rude comments about women and homosexuality and played for about 40 minutes. I was not a fan of the band, when they did play it was good jazz, but too much of my time was wasted on rude commentary and long intermissions.

I would definitely give Charlie O's another chance, but definitely not on a night that Jack Sheldon California Cool Quartet were scheduled to 'play'.

Upright Citizens Brigade

Live comedy is one of my favourite ways to spend a night. What more could one want than a night full of stomach pain, cheek pain and shortness of breath? Sunday night was my first excursion to the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles. It is a small theatre with perhaps 30 or 40 seats (I am not the best at guessing amounts of any sort). The line starts forming and growing about 25 minutes before the show. The venue does not sell alcohol and has a few signs stating it is a 'alcohol free venue'. Bringing your own beverage is the standard and there is a recycling bin for your cans and glass as you leave.

I personally saw an improv night called 'Shitty Jobs'. So one hour of improvisation about shitty jobs audience members have had (or is) experiencing. I really enjoyed the actors (there were 7 of them) along with the audience participation.
There is something about improvisation that I am more partial to. Something about actors being able to think on their feet and create entertaining commentary, actions and situations impress me. ...I used to act when I was younger, and man improv is sooo hard for me!


I highly recommend for people in the Los Angeles area to support their local comedy club and actors by checking out the Citizens Upright Brigade.