Wandering around

Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Hollywood, CA, USA
8:30 a.m.

Prime Pilates = I ♥ Math

My friend Sara, Pilates instructor extraordinaire, called me this morning to offer me her 3:30 time slot at a reduced, one-day-only rate of $45:

E: I don't think I can make it today. What do you normally charge?

S: I offer a sliding scale. The lowest is $X (contact her to find out what $X is)

E: That's an interesting number. Is it prime?

S: I don't know. Is it? I left the trauma of math behind me when I left high school. I had to leave it behind so I could heal.

E: I think it is prime. It's time to heal.

Obviously I couldn't make it. However, if you're in the greater Los Angeles area and can make it to El Segundo (Westside) by 3:30 there is a kickass Pilates private ($45 today only!) with your name on it.

Sara @ TranceForm Movement Arts
(310) 367-1303

My first music festival (with gravy!)

Outside Lands! Ken and I had an awesome time in San Francisco. This was my first music festival. The bands I saw (Beck, Cake, Kaki King, Lyrics Born, M. Ward, Radiohead, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers) were so enthusiastic, engaging the crowd and showing true gratitude.

Despite the weather requiring a few extra layers, Golden Gate Park was a lovely venue. The six stages were divided among three tree-lined meadows. The occasional sound problem, didn't phase me. Festival organizers are people too. From curry to ribs and beer to soju cocktails, there was plenty to keep us eating, drinking and making merry.

I only have two regrets: 1. Missing Cold War Kids and Manu Chao. The buses going toward the Park were packed. Since we were forced to catch a bus going in the opposite direction and ride most of the rout in order to reach our final destination, we got to the park too late to see them. 2. Not being able to stay for Sunday's performances. Alas, real life called, and Professor Ken had to get back in time to start teaching on Monday.

On the accommodations end, Luke (who also turned me on to Outside Lands) recommended The Phoenix. Great call! A post-war motor lodge renovated with a tropical vibe, The Phoenix provided a comfortable, laid back base of operations. Complimentary breakfast and parking didn't hurt either.

The icing on the weekend's cake was getting together with my friend Jaime from Yale. We hadn't seen each other since graduation. It was absolutely wonderful getting to spend time together again. We had brunch in the Bistro at the Cliff House overlooking the Pacific and Ocean Beach. A weekend of firsts, I partook of my first popover and periodically daydreamed about the pastry's airy, buttery goodness during the drive back to Los Angeles.

The entire trip was a fantastic last hurrah for the summer. Ken was more relaxed than I'd ever seen him. The two of us chillin' in the grass listening to music was a delight. My favorite festival moment came Friday when I broadened my focus from the audiovisual spectacle on stage to take in the entire scene. Here we were, surrounded by trees, thousands of people, our diverse life paths converging in appreciation of the same music. For one tiny segment of humanity, it was a genuine moment of harmony. I wish that moment for the world.

Designer fragrances to chickens' feet

I love where I live. Right above Downtown L.A.'s Grand Central Market. You can get anything there. The place is mostly a combination of produce stalls and dry goods stands with various lunch counters sprinkled throughout. Today I went downstairs for a yummy vegetarian Thai meal. On my way through the market, I passed a falafel and kebab shop and stopped just shy of the pizza joint next to my Thai food destination. But that's not all GCM has to offer. There's a stall devoted to Chinese massage (chair and table), two bakeries, a florist, a liquor store, a deli, a coffee shop, a couple jewelry/gift/key copying spots, a currency exchange, and in the basement, a 99-cents and up store. Of course, there's also the perfume shop and the butcher.