When people think of Los Angeles, they probably envision endless miles of concrete, infinite strip malls that test the definitions of beige, and a Kardashian snapping a selfie on every corner. But if you ever get lost on the 210 Freeway, and take an off-ramp with the hopes of finding not only your way, but…
Ahh, Las Vegas. As the self-proclaimed expert on all things Southern California, I would like to practice an age-old technique of Hollywood and take ownership of something that is not even remotely ours: Vegas, baby! But it is hard to own an illusion. On a recent convention trip to Vegas, I marveled at how the…
Today I got home early enough to learn that I have a third child! Who knew? She’s cute and perky and called me Daddertat, and asked me “why are you so bald?” a lot, so she must be mine. We spent some time getting to know each other. I’m hoping to figure out her name…
I like it when cities name themselves after something they feel is worthy or appropriate about the city itself. For instance, I find it interesting that Long Beach chose to name themselves after what it considered (way back when) to be its most dominant feature: literally a very long beach. Made total sense, and prevented…
I mean, seriously, who does it? Because people are people, even if they are astronauts, and basic human nature has to intervene at some point. If the ISS operates anything like things do around my house, then there are a bunch of highly trained, hard working, space technicians performing a complex experiment that is as…
Last night I saw that commercial for Temptations Cat Treats where the guy comes to work wearing “cat boots.” You know, the one where the woman compliments his stylish boots, but he reveals “They’re not boots, they’re my cats.” Freakin’ hysterical spot. At this point, I think it is very important to let you know…
FADE IN on the sun setting over a perfectly idyllic small town somewhere in the Northeast, the comforting rays of light dappling the changing colors, the last golden hues reflecting off the many church steeples that lead the way towards the darkening edge of town. The Women’s Auxiliary Gardening Club, whose membership consists of a…
One current jewel of the great Southern California Basin is trendy, trendy Culver City, located near the Eastern border checkpoints blocking the way into the desirable West Side. If you bypass Checkpoint Charlie, and sneak in through the still active oil fields of Baldwin Hills, you can find this hip and in-demand town firmly nestled…
I recently had the mundane pleasure of spending the day in Arcadia, California. For those of you that have never heard of this San Gabriel Valley suburb of Los Angeles, let me try and help. On the map of Los Angeles, Arcadia is way to the right. Even more. That’s it, keep going, farther right,…
No matter how old I get, every Spring I am filled with the youthful anticipation of the coming baseball season. Anything is possible, and every dream still has the chance to come true. Yet every season seems to mirror life, with its capricious tragedies and underdog successes, its spectacular triumphs and its unpitying twists of…
Forrest Brakeman 