Zero to happy

Today I saw the movie "Juno" with my mom. We liked it. Afterwards, we got hot drinks in a nearby coffee shop because it was cold in the theater and cold outside. We grabbed the only empty table in a room full of people and I began to go over all of my confused thoughts about life and love. My mom said, looking around the coffee shop, "If you did a survey of how many people in this coffee shop think they've got it all figured out, you know what the result would be? Zero." I laughed. It was one of those things I'd expect to hear in an overscripted movie like "Juno." Then she said, "Don't worry, be happy." I thought that was kinda cheesy, but she's right. Simplicity could well be the key to sanity.

I took this photo when I got home. It's today's sunset over the roof of my pink apartment building. After the sun disappeared, the clouds outside my back window turned a similar pink, then purple.
Nice day to be happy.

Handling it

The Berdhouse Gallery on Echo Park Avenue hosted an opening reception for homie Jesse Spears' first solo art show last night. I really like Jesse's vibe. I always have, since I first met her.

This one about boys sounds familiar.

I got this one because I'm totally into yoga and universal oneness, etc. It says, "Understanding the picture" in the bottom right-hand corner, which is hard to see in this picture. Understand?

This one titled, "The Worst Drawing," was a million dollars! I couldn't afford this one.

Jesse wrapped and strung up her paint brushes. And there were lots of police up and down the avenue just like she asked. You're right, Jesse. Girls do rule!

Red Hot Silly Peppers!

I was so lucky to catch this rare show by the Red Hot Silly Peppers last night.

Front row, baby!

Anthony Kiedis, John Frusciante and Flea totally gave it away, gave it away, gave it away now!

And a hug from theee John Frusciante! I was shocked! I'm so glad we could all get together to raise money for Flea's burnt down home in Malibu! Such a good cause.

Malibu babies

Joon Bug looks out to the sea, washing down sandy spaghetti.

I love photos of babies in the foreground. It makes them look big - like in that really good movie, "Honey, I Blew Up the Baby!"

Love at sunset in the sand.

Love at sunrise on the shore.

A night of hope, inspiration and El Pollo Loco

Tonight was my first real taste of excitement for this year's presidential election. My friend Tigra had attended an event last week when Obama won the Iowa primary. She said it was dope, so I tagged along tonight to check the scene and learn more as the results came in for the New Hampshire primary.

What I found was Obama's campaign headquarters for Los Angeles - the California for Obama campaign has offices in Sacramento, Oakland, Palo Alto, LA and San Diego. Located on the ninth floor of a Wilshire Boulevard office building in Korea Town, the seemingly temporary space was abuzz with the most diverse group of people I've been around in long time. It was refreshing. You could tell who worked on the campaign and their enthusiasm was contagious.

People grabbed spots on the floor to sit around the TV screen as the New Hampshire primary votes rolled in. Tigra and I helped ourselves to platters of El Pollo Loco and even indulged in some Cream Soda and donuts. We peeped the scene, mingled and will definitely be back for more. Plus the HMS Bounty bar is a few doors down - an excellent spot to chill, watch the election results and strike up a little conversation with other interested bar flys.

Obama came in second to Clinton tonight, but the speech he gave as he graciously conceded gave both Tigra and I goosebumps. The crowd in New Hampshire was shouting "We want change." Obama explained that he's been criticized for giving false hope of change, but he reminds his supporters, "In the unlikely story of America, there has never been anything false about hope." He's an outstanding speaker - repeating "Yes We Can" as he references stories of people overcoming the odds throughout history- slaves, immigrants, women, etc. Tonight was my first night hearing him give such a speech, but what little he said had me convinced that having him in the race is a good thing. I'd even venture to say he's as genuine and inspirational as a modern day MLK.

I have much more to learn, but tonight was a start.

Sweets & shreading in 2008

Big Kitty likes little kitty cups and New Year's Day pancakes.

Sweet shade. Ramp in progress.