I was going write my own "best of" short-list, and then I saw a post on blogging.la talking about LA Magazine's "The 64 Greatest Things About LA".
Ameoba, Disney Hall, The Getty, Central Library, the MOCA...yep, pretty much.
My to-do list just grew as well, since there are probably 20 things on that list I now have to see or do.
Also, if anyone happened to miss this site, Stuff White People Like it's a "must-read" if I may. And I may.
OK, ok, so now I know what it is...even better than I originally thought:In this race, teams of three or more "dogs" pull a "sled" that is guided by a musher. As with any great sporting event, pre-hydration is highly recommended before the start. Once the race begins, barking is encouraged. The teams will regularly stop at designated watering holes to rest their paws. These stops will include both private and public drinking establishments. Although this is not a competition, tradition stipulates that teams move briskly throughout the course. If you'd like more information on this year's Urban Iditarod please e-mail urbaniditarodla@gmail.com.
Visiting Bar Nineteen 12 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Their signature "drink" is a jelly-shot sampler platter. See the picture below and read more in this LA Times article. I'll be checking out this fine LA landmark very soon. I'll probably bring my own for the bike ride over. It's a dive bar, right?
Easily one of the biggest and most exciting achievements for any of my friends since entering into "grown-up" world is the Rothbury Festival. The "mastermind" behind this four-day sustainable camping, arts, music and action festival is the wonderful Brian Lipsitz who I have been fortunate enough to know since the days of the Meadow Lake Elementary School Penguins, circa 1993. Fifteen years later, after dreaming up an idea for a music festival at his family's ranch in Michigan, its all happening...the perfect mix of amazing artists (STS9, Of Montreal, Modest Mouse, Thievery Corporation, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Gomez, The Juan Maclean, Diplo, Busdriver...oh and not to mention Snoop Dogg, Widespread, Dave Matthews, John Mayer and Phil Lesh), environmentally conscious activities and events (including an energy fair and think tank) all in a spectacular setting (YES! Michigan). Lippy and the other festival organizers have committed to running the event with zero or as little waste as possible while raising awareness and giving back to the local community. So hopefully, if they achieve their goal and all the attendees take the time and effort to try and minimize their environmental impact, at the end of the day (or days), the Double JJ will look nothing like this scene from Coachella...
GOOD Magazine may be my favorite discovery this year. GOOD's aim is to provide "a platform for the ideas, people, and businesses that are driving change in the world". They cover everything from politics, sustainability, education, poverty, food, the environment and beyond, shedding light on local, national and international issues and organizations. Great content aside, the coolest part is that the $20 subscription fee goes to a non-profit of your choice (I think there are 12 to choose from and $689,280 has been given away so far). Buy GOOD for everyone you know. I want to marry the founder of the magazine as well, just a side note.
I just caught the first two parts of a five-part video series on Skid Row and they are both very informative and checking out. I'm curious to find out more about the statement that Los Angeles is the first and only third-world city in the US. It's crazy how much wealth and poverty can exist side-by-side not only in a state, but a city - with everything happening a mere 10-20 miles away from "one of the richest economies in the country". More to come on this and "School on Wheels" later hopefully.
Visit goodmagazine.com for more.
I will attend all of these shows:
Detox (and the desire to procrastinate as much as possible) has given me a lot of time to catch up on some music I may have missed. Currently listening to:
Devotchka - "Transliterator" off their upcoming album A Mad & Faithful Telling (3.18.08)
Bon Iver - "Skinny Love" off Jon Emma, Forever Ago
Appearing at the echo - 3.19.08
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular -
The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight
Check out Thursdays in January a documentary about their month-long residency at Spaceland, where I fortunately had the opportunity to see them play. They are awesome.
Holy F*ck! - Self Titled LP
M83 - "Couleurs" of the upcoming Saturdays = Youth (4.14.08)
Appearing at the echoplex - 5.20.08 (via losanjealous)
And, I know I'm extremely late on this one, but DAFT PUNK'S ALIVE 2007 blows my mind.
"I just wanna dance with my shirt off!"
I first heard Muscles on KEXP and I still can't stop listening to the song "Ice Cream". Muscles is one-man band/dj from Melbourne, Austrailia. I agree with music for robots, "it's like tv on the radio fronting hot chip". Guilty-pleasure, poppy, cheesy and amazing.
I couldn't say it better myself, ice cream is gonna save the day.
Yes, yes it is. And here are two reasons why:
Brentwood Yogurt Cafe
11677 San Vicente Blvd #303
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 826-6866
Take pinkberry and multiply it by a million and you have Brentwood Yogurt Cafe. They have the same tart yogurt and fresh fruit toppings as Pinkberry in addition to different kinds of regular, non-fat, low-carb and soy yogurt. And they have a wonderful little machine that will mix-in all the toppings. Kinda pricey but worth it for the taste, variety and the fact that they are locally-owned and operated.
Scoops
712 N Heliotrope Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 906-2649
There is nothing I can say about this place that hasn't already been said by the 346 yelpers who love this place as much as I do. Super nice people working there, delicious, original flavors and cheap! I order "one-scoop" for $2.50 (it's really two scoops) and it's almost more than I can eat. Saturday's are the days to go if you want to try their infamous Bacon, Cheese, Liquor and Beer inspired flavors.
Retox and the first post hopefully coming soon...
Ideally, this blog will chronicle the experiences I encounter as I attempt to move through my growing LA To-Do list.
