Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
Tell me a Story: The Truck (La Isla Bonita) La Isla Bonita is a taco truck parked on Rose, usually mid-block between 5th and 6th in Venice. I’ve feasted on their seafood since 1989 when taco trucks were a necessity and before they got trendy. Tony, the proprietor quickly befriended me offering a fist pound at every visit and calling out my name. I’d hear, “hey Eric” coming from his mustached smile with a slight accent as I walked up. He’d have to duck down to see me out of the truck window screen. In the beginning, it was the mostly Latin faces who devoured the best recipes. They’d turn to see an Asian kid at “their” spot – the secret of Venice. I’d order two ceviche tostadas. It was once $1 each. Followed up by a campechana, a cold tomato based soup filled with bits of onion and cilantro along with octopus, shrimp, and even oysters. I’d end my meal with hot tacos like pollo or carne asada that had full beans in them. Some are fast to comment that beans shouldn’t be there, citing inauthenticity, but even in the 80s, that’s how La Isla Bonita did it. At each visit, Tony’s wife would be both working the truck and taking care of the baby. Soon, it became another, then another, and maybe one more. As I visited, I’d see the kids grow. The tiny one who played on the sidewalk during the day, now deftly chops onions and peeks at the summer girls walking towards the beach. A dry spell in my visits yielded what looked like a new face but they were the same – just taller and mature. On the other side of the window, Tony, his wife and kids might remember me with local friends, visitors from out of town, different girlfriends, haircuts, weight, style, and now glasses. When I walk up today, it’s the grown-up daughter operating the window saying, “Hi Eric,” and her brother Joseph, now the chef repeating likewise, both offering a smile. Tony and his wife aren’t around as often, but the ceviche remains a powerful constant. I peek and see Joseph crafting a campechana eyeing the portions as he’s now done 1000s of times. The beans in the taco changed, but not many remember their smaller size and darker tone. La Isla Bonita used to show up around 11am and they’d pack up by 4pm often running out of ceviche-a sign of freshness and a successful day. As of this year, they’re open until 9pm, caught up with the food truck times and run by brother and sister who insist that I text them when I’m coming next time. Tony, from just a few years ago and appeared in a previous blog post and on a feature on myself on The Hungry Ones.
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My father has been sick for two weeks and refuses to see a doctor. After spending another day sick in bed, my mother summoned me to convince him to see a doctor and stating the obvious, “he’s so stubborn.” At 80 and the survivor of cancer, twice, my father’s body doesn’t repair well and a common cold illicits the fear that his cancer is back. I know there’s not much I can say. I talk about my unfinished shelving project that’s been on hold, and my mom gives me the eye contact signal that she gets it and tries to reason, “yeah, he’s still waiting for the shelves.” My dad, a career working man listens, but he still refuses. The next day, my mother catches my father’s cold, and sees a doctor. My father gets out of bed, still sick just to check on the shelving project. She gets a prescription to share as if this was her master plan. Now, they’re both getting better.
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My father has been sick for two weeks and refuses to see a doctor. After spending another day sick in bed, my mother summoned me to convince him to see a doctor and stating the obvious, “he’s so stubborn.” At 80 and the survivor of cancer, twice, my father’s body doesn’t repair well and a common cold illicits the fear that his cancer is back. I know there’s not much I can say. I talk about my unfinished shelving project that’s been on hold, and my mom gives me the eye contact signal that she gets it and tries to reason, “yeah, he’s still waiting for the shelves.” My dad, a career working man listens, but he still refuses. The next day, my mother catches my father’s cold, and sees a doctor. My father gets out of bed, still sick just to check on the shelving project. She gets a prescription to share as if this was her master plan. Now, they’re both getting better.
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giant robot time: 8.30.13 | art by: martin hsu End of Summer Never Ends New works by Kozyndan (featuring Leah Chun) September 7 – September 25, 2013 Reception: Saturday, September 7, 6:30 – 10 PM It’s been years since artist duo kozyndan has exhibited in their home city of Los Angeles. In fact, it was more than a decade ago since their first exhibition at the Giant Robot store which then prompted the opening of Giant Robot 2. We’ll be seeing a new range of work, from their paintings to their newer craft of sculpture. Their influence from their worldly travels will continue and they’ll also have a special guest artist and collaborator, Leah Chun who’s works are driven by popular culture. End of Summer Never Ends will continue the legacy of the artist duo. Event Android Mini Collectible Vinyl Figures Choose from seven varieties of Android (Big Box Edition 1) mini collectible vinyl figures. Becca Stadtlander Blank Cards Serene and beautiful images captured first in watercolor then in card form. Nikki McClure Posters We have a wonderful assortment of posters from artist Nikki McClure featuring artwork that is made by cutting paper. Theo Ellsworth – Zines Logic Storm, Imaginary Homework, and more The artist who often shows at our GR2 gallery also publishes his own imaginative zines. Foodie Garden Planter Grow three different types of either basil, tomatoes, or peppers in one home planter. Eggling Planter Grow your own plant by simply cracking it open and watering. Shippon Self-Watering Mini Planters The incredibly cute and popular self-watering mini planters are back in the store! FYF 2013: Day 1, Day 2, and bonus pics By MARTIN WONG I happen to think this year’s Los Angeles music festival really is the best weekend of summer (not counting Comic-Con) and don’t have to point any further than the long-awaited appearance of FLAG. >> Filmage (Descendents documentary) secret screening in Long Beach By MARTIN WONG I was invited to attend the “family and friends” screening of Filmage, a documentary about the Descendents and ALL. >> 2015 Sawtelle Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90025 2062 Sawtelle Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90025
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giant robot time: 8.30.13 | art by: martin hsu End of Summer Never Ends New works by Kozyndan (featuring Leah Chun) September 7 – September 25, 2013 Reception: Saturday, September 7, 6:30 – 10 PM It’s been years since artist duo kozyndan has exhibited in their home city of Los Angeles. In fact, it was more than a decade ago since their first exhibition at the Giant Robot store which then prompted the opening of Giant Robot 2. We’ll be seeing a new range of work, from their paintings to their newer craft of sculpture. Their influence from their worldly travels will continue and they’ll also have a special guest artist and collaborator, Leah Chun who’s works are driven by popular culture. End of Summer Never Ends will continue the legacy of the artist duo. Event Android Mini Collectible Vinyl Figures Choose from seven varieties of Android (Big Box Edition 1) mini collectible vinyl figures. Becca Stadtlander Blank Cards Serene and beautiful images captured first in watercolor then in card form. Nikki McClure Posters We have a wonderful assortment of posters from artist Nikki McClure featuring artwork that is made by cutting paper. Theo Ellsworth – Zines Logic Storm, Imaginary Homework, and more The artist who often shows at our GR2 gallery also publishes his own imaginative zines. Foodie Garden Planter Grow three different types of either basil, tomatoes, or peppers in one home planter. Eggling Planter Grow your own plant by simply cracking it open and watering. Shippon Self-Watering Mini Planters The incredibly cute and popular self-watering mini planters are back in the store! FYF 2013: Day 1, Day 2, and bonus pics By MARTIN WONG I happen to think this year’s Los Angeles music festival really is the best weekend of summer (not counting Comic-Con) and don’t have to point any further than the long-awaited appearance of FLAG. >> Filmage (Descendents documentary) secret screening in Long Beach By MARTIN WONG I was invited to attend the “family and friends” screening of Filmage, a documentary about the Descendents and ALL. >> 2015 Sawtelle Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90025 2062 Sawtelle Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90025
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