Explosion in the sky

Holy crap! We got this Web-cam image of the Bay Bridge accident from Agent RO. It's unreal.

Burning bridges

We drove back from S.F. across the Bay Bridge yesterday afternoon, and there was (as the locals say) hella traffic and detour signs. It turns out the ramp to the 580E, which takes you across the Bay to Oakland, Hayward, Livermore, and eventually L.A., was closed. We crept back across Emeryville to get on track, and could see that a section of the bridge was melted off and hanging down. We found out later that a tanker hat crashed and exploded that morning. Traffic is going to be jacked for months!

Bait-and-switch photo #1. This is not the Bay Bridge but the Golden Gate Bridge, as seen from the W hotel. You can see the Academy of Arts in the foreground. The school is older than the hills, and sometimes advertises in GR!

Bait-and-switch photo #2. Terence and Dan not going across the bridge. We were on our way back to the hotel from a rock show at the El Rio, which is in the Outer Mission. We made a pit stop at El Farolito.

Tangent photo #1. Wendy styles a Girlyfries hairclip and sips a strawberry agua fresca while Pat orders a lengua burrito.

Tangent photo #2. "No one is cooler than" Dan looks forward to a sweaty brow and the ring of fire.

Last time we saw a truck jackknife on the I-5 during the drive home, and now this. I wonder what happened to the driver? The other drivers? Details will come out, and they won't be pretty.

Extra ALIVE

Looks like I have an extra ticket for tonight's Heavenly Kings screening in SF. Any of you friends or GR readers want it? I'm serious but I won't be able to check email, so look for me!


The Castro is the perfect place to see this flick.

Dumberer?

Yesterday, Eric and I divvied up CDs to review for GR48. We agreed that our stashes were pretty slim and might have to supplement them with our own purchase. That's bad. I usually do that for DVDs, but never for music. So with a little bit of time on my hands, I went to Amoeba.

The dude at the cash register told me, "I have something really crazy to ask you." I kind of hoped he was a GR reader, but instead he was person born with the gift of seeing similarities between the people he sees and celebrities. He continued, "Has anyone ever told you that you look like Jim Carrey?"


The answer was no. But I've only seen one or two of his movies (Man on the Moon and a Batman sequel...) so what do I know?

A friend once compared me to someone else from a Batman movie, but that was more to demeanor than physical appearance or studliness. Val Kilmer. Huh?

Baseman beware

J. Otto is back! I found his art promoting the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books wrapped around my morning paper....





Dig those pandas. His style is still ahead of its time.

Roadie

While everyone else is driving to Coachella, I'll be going to San Francisco this weekend to see The Heavenly Kings on the big screen at The Castro. All four members of the ALIVE boy band/project will be there, and I wonder if their fans will throwing panties at the guys during the Q&A?


There won't be any singing, but you can hang out with the dudes at The Public after the show. Here's the flyer that you'll need to get in. See you there.

In the news

U.S. troops used 'comfort women' after WWII. Horrible on so many levels.

Save the fishwrap

Here are links to the China Daily News articles about GR. One is more about me and the other is more about GR. What do they say?

Fuck cancer

Saw The Aggrolites play a matinee at Safari Sam's yesterday. Yes, they played a powerful set of post-rocksteady reggae with a hot blend of dirt, soul, and brand-new sizzlers, but the real story is the cause. The show was a fund raiser organized by friends of two cervical cancer victims who made a difference by participating in the Revlon Run/walk but wanted to do more. Hence the excellent afternoon lineup and an impressive silent auction and raffle that included signed skateboards by Geoff Rowley and Jason Lee, a Clippers jersey, and a Paul Frank bike. Check out Team Miss Fitz' cause, events, and history here.


New Aggrolites album from Epitaph hits shelves early next month, followed by a bunch of shows that you don't want to miss. Reggae Hit L.A., indeed.

News of the world

Remember Emily, who interviewed me for the China Daily News last week? The article is in today's paper. Wendy's uncle informed her parents who gave us a call. No word on whether the article is positive or the photo is flattering.

Intern camp

We get a lot of requests for interns, and we usually have to turn them down. We just can't afford to give stipends to students who want to spend their summers with us in L.A. Besides, we already have a pretty good one who's local and works hard. Sometimes I have to struggle to find things for her to do. Let's examine some of the shitwork she was assigned today.

Take a box of books from the mag office to the Web store. It's only a few blocks, but that box ain't light, and it's a long way for someone who hasn't mastered the art of balancing things on her head.

Spackling the walls of GR2. This task was actually pretty easy. Removing mounting tape from the opposite wall was the real drag. Because the wall isn't smooth, a scraper won't cut it. You need to use your fingernails! It'll all be worth it when Andy Jenkins gets to hang his work for tomorrow night's show.

Okay, it's not that bad. Leela gave her a piece of bread and I gave her some juice, and she's also doing some stuff that's more editorial-related. Earlier I had her do some scanning and now she's transcribing an interview. Crap, I better get back to work because I'm starting to feel guilty.

24 hours and some random people

Most days, I'm in front of the computer by myself pretty much all day. That's fine. But sometimes it's nice to get out and see people, too... Here are some visits from the last 24 hours.

Keep shop on Hillhurst this morning. I gave Una (center) some copies of the new mag, which has an interview with her in it. Wendy tried on some shoes. Meanwhile, the intern stayed focused.

Yesterday afternoon, I was interviewed or a story that will run in the China Daily News. Emily and I talked for about an hour, and I hope I gave her some good quotes. It turns out she lives nearby, so we'll be seeing her on Sawtelle now and then.

Here's a power lunch that I didn't attend, but served as a fluffer for. Thai filmmaker and artist Apichatpong Weerasthethaul, theater bigshot Peter Sellars, and REDCAT director Eungie Joo, who is about to make the move to NYC's New Museum. You can google them yourselves, because they all kick ass in their respective fields.

Next Friday (not the movie)

ALIVE fans, get your glow sticks ready. Here's something I just whipped up for the email blast... So you might read it somewhere else later, but you can read it here first.

Meet ALIVE!
Friday, April 27
The Public
1489 Folsom Street

With no record label and little musical talent, Hong Kong actors Daniel Wu, Terence Yin, Andrew Lin, and Conroy Chan formed a boy band and made a mockumentary to explore/expose the country's pop music machine. The Heavenly Kings earned Wu the "Best New Director" award at the HK Film Awards, and is showing as part of the San Francisco International Film Festival on Friday, April 27 at the Castro.

Following the 9:45 screening and Q&A, all four members of ALIVE will be hanging out at The Public. Fans of the man-boy band, film-fest patrons, and GR readers are invited to come by and hang out with the guys. No guest list, no cover, and no free drinks--the reception will begin shortly after midnight.

Keep on truckin'

Got a note from Aurelito this morning. You can find a video of him, Shakespeare, and their reggae-burning ice-cream truck on YouTube!


Check out the link.

Impure rock

Another mix CD going out to HK, this time with a metal flavor. Some of it is old, most of it is new-ish, and nothing is super rare so there's a chance you have a lot of the songs already. Put it together like a puzzle, or maybe an aural scavenger hunt.

Boris with Michio Kurihara - Starship Narrator
Mastodon - Colony Of Birchmen
High On Fire - The Face of Oblivion
Proudflesh - Across This Chaos
Disfear - An Arrogant Breed
Sigh - In The Mind Of A Lunatic
Melvins - You've Never Been Right
Unsane - Release
godheadSilo - Elephantitus Of The Night
Enemy Mine - Coccoon Clo3
Big Business - Another Beautiful Day in the Pacific Northwest
Jesu - Medicine
Trans Am - Triangular Pyramid
The Fucking Champs - Fozzy Goes To Africa
DragonForce - Revolution DeathSquad


Three of the bands have been interviewed by GR, and two (sorta) are coming up in the next issue or so...

Free Thai cinema

The new show at REDCAT, which opens tomorrow night (Wednesday), features video installations by artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul. He's best known as the director of Mysterious Objects at Noon, Blissfully Yours, Tropical Malady, and Symptoms and a Century, and many of these films will be shown at the gallery space under the Disney Hall, as well. This is his first art show in the U.S. and his movies aren't shown on the big screen very often, so do yourself a favor and check it out. (I recommend Lavender Diamond's show on Thursday night, too.)


One more thing: a few of Weerasethakul's movies have been banned in Thailand. There's more information about the situation in his statement below, and you can help get his movies shown in his home country by clicking on the link.

Free Thai Cinema Movement Petition
Statement by Apichatpong Weerasethakul
*with Bioscope, the Thai Film Foundation, Thai Film Director’s Association, and Alliances.*

I am saddened by what has happened to my film. However, this is not the venue to try to make SYNDROMES AND A CENTURY shown in Thai theaters. It is not my intention to use this opportunity to promote my work. But, it is time to seriously think about what is going on with our censorship laws, so that the next generation of filmmakers will not face the same problems as us, and so that the Thai audiences can truly achieve a freedom of choice.

It is time we discuss whether all films, before being released, should be seen by the Buddhist council, doctors council, teachers council, labor council, the army, pet lovers group, taxi union, representatives from other foreign countries etc? Or, is it easier to turn our nation into a Fascist state so that we can live in harmony and don’t have to waste time talking about democracy?

The system of the Thai Board of Censors needs to be evaluated. Their members' relevancy and efficiency needs to be questioned, and we should decide whether the laws should be changed.

I would like to ask you to reflect on the censorship practices in our country and to provide us with advice at

http://www.petitiononline.com/nocut/petition.html

Later on, this Petition will be submitted to the Thai government. Your support will be a great contribution to our fight for one of our most basic rights - that of freedom.

I am grateful for your time and your participation. Thank you very much.

Warmest Regards,

Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Benders

Holy crap! Footage from a Halo Benders show last week in Boise, ID. I totally thought they were long gone...

Battery

Last week's softball game was a real nail biter. The Giant Robot hitters overcame my shaky pitching to give us a decent lead, which we struggled to keep. Our opponents were down by one with two runners on base when we ended it at the top of the sixth. Too close.

This season we aren't allotted as much free time at the field for practice, so we're mixing in sessions at the batting cages. There was a decent turnout last night--maybe eight of us. Nate purchased a self-help batting DVD that I watched and have been trying to apply. Four tokens later, my arms felt like chow fun.


This must be our seventh or eighth season, we're back at the lowest level of Parks & Rec leagues, and I'm still bring to figure out how to hit the damn ball. And remember how to find the plate. All proof that it's never too late to learn. Or is it?

The whole team sports experience is still pretty new to me. It's not like snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, running, or Scrabble, where if you suck you don't drag other people down. There's a lot of pressure involved, and I don't always like it. But when you contribute--or, even better, get picked up by teammates, I have to admit that it's pretty nice.

"You guys are snowtroopers!" - Souther

This weekend it stormed like crazy in Mammoth--maybe 16-18 inches. We thought we were going to be snowed in. Turns out the roads were plowed to perfection, and the trouble came all the way down in Mojave. (See previous post.)


Day 1: Frank and Wendy gear up for the weather at McCoy Station.


Day 1: Jenny and Angelyn tackle Redwing during a break in the storm. Those moguls aren't that big! (My tracks are on the right.)


Day 2: Angelyn is about to get Lost In The Woods.


Day 2: Dad finds his way back to Warming Hut 2 in a blizzard.

Not the conditions I expected for what was supposed to be our last trip of a dry season...

Mojave 3

During springtime, the desert can be a beautiful place to visit. But year round, it's a shitty place for your car to break down.


This is where Jenny, Wendy, and I got stuck last night. It was about a mile out of Mojave (where the space shuttle lands) and about 20 miles from Edwards AFB (location of the famous UFO abduction case of Betty and Barney Hill).


The weather was windy and a little rainy. When a car pulled over to offer us a ride, Wendy and I yelled at Jenny, "Get back in the car!"


If I could absorb bumps like Captain America (ask Eric), this photo would have been crisp.


Gas station: a space odyssey. Jenny's car undocks.


Ladies on the loose in the streets of Mojave. Jenny's husband Martin made the 90-minute trip from L.A. to pick us up at Denny's. Denny's always sucks, but it was quite nice to see him arrive there.

Ted head

I've had today and tomorrow circled on my calendar for months now. Ted Leo and The Pharmacists are playing the El Rey, but which night would I attend? It turns out that tonight is the first night of GR's spring/summer softball season and tomorrow night I'll be driving up to Mammoth to check out the fresh snow/end another snowboarding season. So the answer was "neither" until my friend Miranda at Touch & Go tipped me off that the band doesn't hit the stage until 10:45. Our game is scheduled from 9:00-10:30, so tonight it is. I have extra incentive to mow down the opposing hitters, start some rallies, end the game early via the mercy rule, and get to the show. (If we have a rocky start, you can rest assured that I will not tank it.)


Why the fuss? This is the review I wrote for Living With The Living, the group's latest album: "Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, The Clash–the list of musicians that have the guts to write about topics that matter and skill to make them listenable is short, but Ted Leo and The Pharmacists deserve serious consideration. From the first songs, 'The Sons of Cain' and 'Army Bound,' onward, the supremely listenable guitar rock with smooth-to-falsetto vocals laced with punk politics is almost too good to be true. It’s smart, exhilarating, and heartbreaking, and giving a shit never sounded so great. The trio changes tempo as easily as it changes styles; I kept waiting for a song to stink, but it never happened. Shockingly, the reggae track–a risky venture, for sure–turns out to be one of the strongest pieces of all, with vocals sounding a bit like Junior Murvin."

Damn, I dropped some big names in the intro (and I used the non-word "listenable" twice) but I stand by it. The advance CD must have been in my car's shuffler for a month before I wrote the review--or read anyone else's gushing or criticism--and it's still locked in the rotation two months later. What I didn't know when I wrote it is that it comes with Mo' Living, a bonus EP with some rough songs that the trio banged out to balance the smooth production of the album. I bought the real version of the CD to get it, and the fuzzed-out treatment of Chumbawamba's Holocaust anthem "Rappaport's Testament (I Never Gave Up)" is powerful stuff.


There aren't many current bands that I reserve this sort of enthusiasm for. Check out this live set on NPR or, better yet, go to the show tonight or whenever you get a chance. Here are the remaining dates.

Martin Wong Gallery

Not me, but the San Francisco artist who I interviewed way back in Giant Robot 15. I only got to meet Martin Wong once, but he and his family were super nice and made a huge impression on me. They've even kept up with me over the years, sending letters and updates since he passed away in 1999.


Martin Wong was an incredible painter, and his work reflected such varying interests as hieroglyphics, graffiti, Chinatowns, and sign language. He also painted kissing firemen. You should have seen the work that was leaning all over every wall and piece of furniture at his parents' house.

On Saturday, April 21, a gallery will be dedicated to him at the SFSU Fine Arts Building. If you're in the area, it's worth checking it out.

Meet Bulan

My favorite Thai place changed its name from Busaba to Bulan. Turns out there's a restaurant in England named Busaba that trademarked the name because they're planning on opening restaurants here. Lame, but the signage, menus, and everything have already been changed while the food remains the same--awesome. There are tons of vegetarian and vegan Thai places, but Bulan is easily the best. The fake meats have texture and flavor, while the presentation and combinations are excellent. The mock fish with green apple is amazing.


Afterward, we walked down Melrose to the new-ish Golden Apple location where I bought Paul Pope's Batman 100 comic upon David Horvath's recommendation. Around the corner on La Brea, I saw a mural in progress by Tim Biskup.


Seems like there's a lot change in the area, but a few things are the same: Camden Lock survives and people line up for Pinks.

Spring cleaning

In preparation for a delivery of a palate full of GR47s, I had intern Mimi clean up the shed this afternoon. She's not a large person, but she's pretty tough. If you have to move furniture or appliances, give her a call.

Mimi is powered by yoga and shrimp chips.

The boxes used to go all the way up to the door.

Issues 27 and up are pretty accessible. The other ones will take a lot of toil.

Vulture club

I just got a package from Cardiff (UK) from Nick, who does the Culture Vulture zine. The new issue has a nice cover story on Pete Fowler, band interviews, a travel story to Dublin, tons of reviews, a soccer editorial, and an interview with me about GR. There are nice touches of illustration throughout.

The front of a nice wraparound cover.

I took this self-portrait when I was sick!

Check out the zine online here. (If not now, soon!)

From Hawaii

We finally received our packets of Fusion LH Gummy Bears, the new product from Jade Foods!


The good:
1. Same good taste, slightly grainy texture
2. Soft, fresh gummies
3. No mess

The bad:
1. Only one color/flavor
2. Can't use the powder for other stuff
3. Bag not big enough

Is this a genius match-up like Cherry Coke or a bust like peanut butter and jelly in the same jar a la Goobers? At first I was a little skeptical, but I think it's a nice addition to the snack rack. The drawbacks are all related to me being a pig and wanting more.

Chicago pt. 5

We've only been back from Chicago for two days, but separated by a five-hour flight and roughly 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it seems like forever.


These Asian dudes were in the row behind us. You can't tell, but the guy nearest us was wearing a GR hoody! I was going to say something to them, but didn't.

On our last day in Chicago we at a place called toast. It's funny how even in a place that's famous for stuff like hot dogs or pizza, breakfast food can always be a good call.


The sign is iconic and welcoming but was not spinning. Maybe it was frozen?

There were some interesting-sounding adult dishes like "french toast orgy" and "pancake orgy" (both stuffed and topped with various sweet things), but I wound up ordering an omelet. Got to save something for next time...


In the new issue of GR, Tim gives a list of five reasons why he rides his scooter in the winter. Yet he drove his car to meet us! (Allegedly, he had to pick up boxes of programs.)

Came, saw, conquered

We get boatloads of a CDs every week and most of them are terrible. Sometimes we get one that's a keeper. Perhaps once a year, I'll get something that inspires me to buy the band's back catalog and then wait anxiously for a tour to come. A couple months ago, that band was Jesu. I even bought tickets to see the U.K. band kick off a string of dates in the U.S. at Spaceland, only to be denied when they had visa problems. Last night, I saw them at a much larger venue, the Music Box, opening for Isis.

Jesu features Justin Broadrick, who is known for being in Godflesh and Napalm Death, as well as not liking to fly. So there were tons of fans wearing black T-shirts, stoked about him playing in L.A. for the first time in 10 years. The new songs sounded great... chugging, stoner-metal bass with fuzzy, distorted, shoe-gazer guitar layered over it. Broadrick's vocals are remorseful, but not angry, and border on delicate. While the resulting sound doesn't overlap the Jesus and Mary Chain's, I think the balance of heaviness and melody runs parallel. It's hypnotic, beautiful, and powerful--but in no way wimpy--and they pulled it off live with no frills, no bullshit, and supreme confidence.

Years ago, before Giant Robot, our friend Craig made a zine called Fear of Grown-Ups. I believe it was in a pictorial spread and brief article about Snuff, that he said how great they were but how they broke up shortly after the U.S. tour. The message was that you have to see a band when it comes through town because you may never get to see them again. Well, Snuff broke up, became Guns 'n' Wankers, and somehow reformed again. Maybe you'll get a second chance with Jesu. (That means you, Keenan. Don't be late next time!)

Chicago pt. 4

Rewind. I've been writing about going to Chicago, giving talks at DePaul and Columbia, and partaking of Midwest rituals like going to steakhouses and bowling, but neglected to explain how we got here.

Besides making FAAIM happen, Tim and Sue Anne are ringers in one of Chicago's oldest Nisei bowling leagues.

With support from the awesome Sue Anne, our friend Tim operates the Foundation for Asian American Independent Media (FAAIM), which is in the midst of the Asian American Showcase. The film fest's mission statement doesn't allow it to show high-profile Asian imports, but it does provide a much-needed outlet for Asian-American filmmakers and claims the first-class Gene Siskel Film Center as its headquarters. Tim arranged our speaking engagements around town as part of this year's programming.

Sue Anne and Tim trucked us all the way to Oak Park, where we walked around in the freezing cold.

We've known Tim for years, and I don't quite recall how we met him. I'm pretty sure we began corresponding after a mysterious package of CD-Rs from the "Asian Camcorder Posse" (which had bootlegs of shows by the likes of Seam, Versus, Three Mile Pilot, and Modest Mouse) appeared in GR's P.O. box. Since then, the posse of one become a good friend and generous host. As guests of FAAIM, we're staying in a fancy hotel. On our respective previous trips to Chicago, Eric and I have stayed at Tim and Sue Anne's cozy pad in Andersonville.

After returning to L.A., we'll miss Tim and Sue Ann's hospitality. We'll also miss jaywalking.

Our schedule hasn't allowed us to see any movies during this brief trip--Eric saw them all when he judged S.F.'s International Asian American Film Festival a couple weeks ago anyway--but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. Check out the details here, and say hi to Tim or Sue Anne if you see them!

Chicago pt. 3 1/2

Hotel 71 is a nice joint, but what's up with the plunger in the hallway? It's been there for a couple days now.


But I have no complaints. Even though it's cold as hell, the city is beautiful and a great place to wander around.


The view from the bridge between State and Michigan Ave.


Same bridge, different direction. This view deserves more love.

Chicago pt. 3

Some of the greatest compliments I have ever received... When I wrote a paper outlining a utilitarian argument for vegetarianism for my 12th grade Political Science class, my teacher gave it a B but said that it "made him think." A couple months later, the ladies in the office where I temped were so impressed that I was able to enter data, make copies, and alphabetize, that they said I should be called "Jack" because I was a Jack of all trades. And more than a decade-and-a-half later when I was between jobs, Eric told an HR person that her company would be lucky if I took a job there. That was all nice to hear.

Yesterday, Tim told me that if I ever moved to Chicago, he and Sue Anne would take me in their bowling team because I "have potential." I never thought I would ever move from L.A., but now I'm seriously considering it. Tonight, we went bowling. It was my first time in almost two years, and I scored in the mid-130s.


Eric and Tim admire Sue Anne's smooth approach.


Sue Anne gets another strike. She got four in a row to crush Tim and secure first place.


Sue Anne tallies the league scores to see who else walks home with cash.

Maybe we dudes would have done better if we didn't partake of another indigenous Chicago ritual beforehand. We went to a steakhouse. I just had a portabello mushroom sandwich, but that just meant I could eat more dessert.


Eric contemplates the cow he just ate while Tim explains something or other.

Damage, Inc.

Last weekend, I thought I killed the snowboard I bought earlier this year. It was a real bummer to see the base blistering and the rail popping out. Wendy suggested that maybe I should buy cheaper rides if I'm going to destroy one every season. My argument was that if I snowboard that way, I need decent ones...

Here are some of the boards I've killed over the years:


Santa Cruz Asymetrical 158. This is from the era before twin-tips, etc. Doesn't the damage look like something the Cavity Creeps might have done?


Sims "Stonehenge" 161. I popped the rail of this board that I bought off my friend Bret. This actually might be fixable, but it was pretty flat by then, anyway.


Burton Custom 158. No rail damage, but somehow I made a gaping hole all the way to the base. I tried to P-tex it, to no avail. Now it looks like a cancerous lung.

Luckily, the guys at Wave Rave were able to fix my Burton Malolo 158 for pretty cheap. Conflict averted. I don't know what I would have done if I had to buy another one...

Chicago pt. 2

This afternoon, Eric and I spoke at Columbia. There might have been 75 people packed into the room, and some of them were sitting on the floor. I thought yesterday's went well, but today's was way better--probably one of our best college talks in recent memory. I don't know if it's because there were a lot of hardcore GR readers or because we felt like had to elevate our game for the journalism students, but everything seemed to click. (Maybe it's because we got more than three hours of sleep?)

You can see the cover of GR47 on Eric's laptop.

Afterward, enough of us made the journey to Chinatown to warrant a large table with a lazy susan. Nice. I forgot to take a business card, but everyone agreed that it's one of best places around. Tim picked a super spicy, savory selection, so everyone drank tons of tea and water.

Film fest art show curator, new friend, and hardcore GR reader.

Longtime friend of GR, awesome bowler, and film fest dude.

Film fest honcho, friend of the fest, and filmmaker.

Crap, I skipped Eric! I snapped a picture of him outside, though, even if he's undercover like an Eskimo.

It was actually darker than this.

Tim drove off with the director to attend her screening, and the rest of us went across the street to a new tea joint to drink off the spice. It was a Hong Kong-style place with a million flavors of tea and thick toast with sweet toppings. Some people at other tables were doing homework. The dudes in the center of the photo were playing go.

She's not talking about what you think.

Eric surrounded by ladies.

Now that the talks are over, we have nothing planned for a day and a half and I'm not sure what's going to happen. Maybe some bowling, probably some exploring, and definitely more food...

Chicago pt. 1

After two delays and flight changes, we finally made it to Chicago for our back-to-back talks. Eric thought one of the guys in first class was the MMA fighter/commentator Bas Rutten. Is it?


The talk at DePaul went pretty well. It was in a room at the library. There might have been 40-50 people in attendance; some were longtime readers. Afterwards, we ate at Sinbad's--the restaurant, not the home of the large comedian.


The view from 71 Wacker at night. The weather is crisp but cold and breezy.


Hope to see some of you at Columbia in a couple hours...

Snow days

My skate photographer friend Ben says that ample light, tons of nature, and just about everything make snowboarding pics a snap. Maybe, but packing a Ricoh GR can't hurt. Here are some photos from last weekend's Mammoth trip with Saetherlee, half of National Forest, and Dad.


Saelee and Wendy take a breather on Cornice.


Wendy and Dad strap in atop the face of 5.


Jeanette, Justin, Saelee, and Wendy visualize Scotty's.


The only action shot: Wendy on Cornice.


Souther goes undercover, about to drop in on Lower Dry Creek.

Still lots of snow left, and hopefully one more trip in the works before the snow trickles away...

Stranded

Not really. Our flight to Chicago was canceled due to "hurricane-like weather." That's okay, because if we take the first flight out tomorrow (6 a.m.) we'll be there in plenty of time for the first talk...

But the problem at hand is that I got a ride from Silver Lake to Sawtelle, and now I'm stranded out here. Is there anyone out in West L.A. who can give me a ride east this afternoon or early evening? Send an email to martin@giantrobot.com!