Sunday, August 26, 2012

Just saw Moonrise Kingdom, finally.

 

What a great cast, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Edward Norton, Bruce Willis.

 

What a great scene with Jason Schwartzman and the two main characters, Jared Gilman & Kara Hayward.

Another theatrical piece by Wes Anderson already a cult classic.

Ran into actor Jeremy Sisto at the gift shop of LA's Arclight Cinerama and made small talk about an art book there. 

 

Star sighting, handsome Mr. Sisto

 

Eva Longoria at the screening for Moonrise Kingdom in all her stunning glamour.

And that's Hollywood folks.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Watched a program about deregulated FM radio by Ronald Reagan in the 80's which changed the law that no one in America could own more than 7 radio stations and suddenly corporations took over the artistry of the profession. This was evidently after marketing agents took the alternative music listening protesters of the 1960's and realized all these people listening to Bob Marley & Jefferson Airplane could be their target market. Problem was, as an example, focus groups were studied with an apparent outcome that people said they like Bob Marley "I shot the Sheriff" but focus group leaders alleged the listener didn't REALLY like Bob Marley, so, they played a more watered down Eric Clapton version. This kept radio mainstream and without controversy. Then MTV came on the scene.....and radio, well, we all know what it is today.....

This was AFTER I reminisced and wished I could be at a Grateful Dead concert this summer Saturday night more than anything. It's the first concert I ever went to (probably posted that before and might again...). Sugar Magnolia and Jerry Garcia- such a great scene from no matter what your walk of life, putting all things aside, seriously.

 

A fabulous album.

That's not to say this alternative music listener is not a fan of top of the pop charts. Listening to Mariah Carey + Whitney Houston's albums in the car the other day brought me back to my last two serious relationships. Each album came out at their demise. Pop music really takes hold because of their simple, everyday people, relateable lyrics. Of course, the hook is their simple repetition and fresh new sound.

We were just getting to know Mariah Carey on her debut self titled album back in 1990. Have you heard her vocals on this one? A far cry from the Grateful Dead yet a firm contribution to music for the diversified listener.

On another note, one of America's finest explorer's, Neil Armstrong has passed on August 25th, 2012.

 

  The first man to walk on the moon. An incredible feet at an incredible time in our history. An American Hero.

Tomorrow, an early morning run on the Santa Monica beach!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

A weekend full of R&R in some hot temperature comes to a close. City life brings joys and pleasure not found in nature. However, nature most definitely brings us fruitful necessities that sustain our lives on the planet. Summer is spectacular for the harvesting of seasonal berries and fruits. 

Going to a local farmers market or even a locally owned grocery store is a great way to pick up some of these edible delights. 

 A view of Vista House at Columbia River Gorge near Portland, OR 

I'll never forget a summer trip into the breathtaking land of Oregon with very good friend Corey, who I've known since early college. She took my brother, his girlfriend and I to this great Vista overlooking the Gorge. We happened upon a blueberry picking patch which I believe is named Kirby's Blueberry Patch. Picking buckets worth on the honor system, we took so many blueberry's we had to freeze bags of them. Amazing.

Buckets of blueberries, very similar to those we filled in Oregon.

Another joy of summer is boating. Pleasure boats such as a sailboat or faster mode of motor boating and even an adventure boat such as a whitewater raft for hitting a river of rapids are all fantastic ways to celebrate the season. 

I recommend a whitewater rafting adventure trip in Oregon on the White Salmon River for it's 14' drop, not for the faint of heart. I did this in the summer of 2009 and it's the best rapid I've ever gone over. 

The Class 4 river run has the tallest commercially raftable waterfall in the nation, 14-foot Class 5 Husum Falls. Such awesomeness!

Nature should not only be advocated to sustain our human necessities such as food, clothing and shelter but be maintained for the enjoyment it naturally has to offer. No matter what our world brings with technology greatness, not to be forgotten are nature's splendors.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Starting the weekend off right! by a swim of about 200 freestyle and 400 breaststroke. I love freestyle it's my absolute favorite. I don't know what I would do without it. I am best at breaststroke but it is not my favorite. 

The stroke I admire the most is butterfly. As far as I'm concerned, the backstroke you can take it or leave it.

A medley relay is really the absolute best and probably the most fun to watch with all four strokes combined. The individual medley was never for me of course since, well, what I mentioned above. And the pool.....

 The City of LA could benefit for charging admission to those seniors or 17 & under who swim at the outdoor pools for the operating season of June 23 - Sept. 3rd. Adults are charged $2.00 with library card for a 1hr. lap swim. Call it an absurd notion but I think school lunches could probably get a little better.

When I swim, I enjoy the pace and keep track with a pace clock. I saw a huge billboard for a watch which got me thinking about time. Watches went out of trend when cell phones came on the scene and especially when the iPhone came out in 2007. I believe they are back with vengeance and here to stay.

A few styles, ahem, I like are.....

 

 

Sunday, August 12, 2012

A get away from the hot summer days, I find relief in music, a movie in air conditioning or a good book to read outdoors for succor under a nice Palm or sprawling Madrona  tree. Granted I've been in an artistic mood which my volition reflects.

For about a week now, I've been listening to an old favorite of mine. Discovered at the turn of the millennium, it was recommended to me by a Brit I'd known from Soquel, CA and later in London, UK. Track #2 is my first choice yet the whole album both disc A & B are best listened to in the manner of which the title of the album suggests.

LTJ Bukem's "Logical Progression", a purists drum and base album highly recommend as an introduction to this electronic genre.

I chose a couple of obscure movies and I'll only mention one here. The one faded greatly toward its end but still worth a look for artistic merits and as recent historical reference. The title eludes to fabulous but not to be deceived as the main character is well known for her fame + troubles. 

American avant garde film

I'm totally excited about my new book, from Amazon.com for only $5.00! The bargain price purchase was made upon recommendation by a dear friend. Derived from a few discussions with different friends at different places and times about architecture or what it lacks in Los Angeles. 

So far, its comprehensive judgements seem to be based on facts. However, I'm curious to read much more in reference to the author being known to apologize for Pop Art. Furthermore, his assessment of what is referred to as "Dingbat architecture of freeway land" is an intriguing subject and how it may relate to those noteworthy structures not to be belittled.

Los Angeles - The Architecture of Four Ecologies by Reyner Banham

Last, as the 2012 Olympics close today- the Americans, without a doubt, dominated. I have to say, I was awestruck by this guy and his performance on the uneven bars. Many moments were favorites but this one tops the list.

The Netherlands' Epke Zonderland
won the Olympic gold medal in the men's gymnastics horizontal bar.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

It's the 1st of August & summer is right here, right now.

Addicted to the Olympics. It's as if nothing else matters. So impressed by the athleticism.

Having played team sports starting at an early age, soccer, swimming, cross-country, basketball and a smidgen of gymnastics (hardly worth mentioning, a very memorable experience because I was horrible), I have a huge respect for such world renowned athletes.

U.S. gymnasts, left to right, Jordyn Wieber, Gabrielle Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Alexandra Raisman and Kyla Ross on the podium for Gold, not since 1996!

 

A well deserved Sports Illustrated Cover, before we really knew.

Men's synchronized diving is incredible to watch- such a challenge.

Michael Phelps leads the world in holding the most Olympic medals,19 medals &counting. The proof of excellence which people sometimes love to hate. I am a full supporter of excellence in the positive realm. So glad an American can prove that on the world stage and be a game changer.