Tag: Los Angeles

news

News about the news

Becca

It’s strange to be in the Times building, working at the Times, and see on LA Observed that they are planning to lay off another 75 editorial positions. While I will be moving on to something else in a week,  so the layoffs don’t really affect me, it’s so strange to be existing in this amazing, historical building… but be the last to hear the news about the news.

I feel bad for this place. The morale is low, needless to say.

It was only a couple of months ago that there were hundreds of layoffs. And now, again.

I’m young and new to the world of journalism, but after walking these halls (lined with historical papers from decades ago), I’m filled with a certain sadness at the Times. I barely new it. And I’ll never know it as it once was.

entertainment

A Fair Affair

Becca

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I’ve often thought that I could easily live a happy life going from one festival to the next. And in Los Angeles, you could probably pull that off. But the fair of all fairs? The La County Fair.

On its very last day, we headed out to the LA County Fair. And what a fair it is. Sure, it’s is extremely expensive these days. And they have this fancy card you scan instead of little brightly colored tickets, which really just makes it harder to realize how much money you’re actually spending. But for such a fun-filled day of freedom… it’s worth it.

We spent the evening eating friend food (frog legs even!), visiting cows (not the best smelling beasts), riding the carnival rides, winning stuffed animals (well, some of us) and forcing people into awkward romantic poses for photos.

Taking photos is one of my favorite hobbies, so here we go….

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Uncategorized

This city on the screen

Becca

I love LA. And no matter how many movies are made with this city as the background, I can never get enough of it.

The Soloist is the next film I’m very excited for. Not only does it show a whole lot of LA, but it is about journalist Steve Lopez (played by Downey, Jr.) You know you’ve made it when they made a movie about you….

Here’s the trailer. Try to enjoy the great shots of LA:

news, politics

Return of a serial killer?

Becca

I watch waaaaay too much Law and Order, the Closer, etc. I’m the first to admit that.

But an article in LA Weekly published today is a quick reminder that Los Angeles really is the city straight out of the movies. According the the Weekly, a serial murderer, who was MIA for 13 years, is back. Yes, a serial murderer. And no one–the police cheif, city council members, or our celebutant-mayor seem to be too concerned. Maybe it’s because the murders aren’t in Beverly Hills or Westwood. Maybe they think there are more serious matters to attend to (like reelection campaigns). But last time I checked, no one here wants to live a non-fiction version of their favorite television show, so maybe somebody better get on the ball here.

entertainment

Villa- Models, Bottles and so much less

Becca

I’d post a photo to go along with my review of VILLA, but they don’t allow photos inside. Really, VILLA is the queen of Hollywood snobbery.
It’s a small space–one room with a balcony, so the door goon has the ability to turn away anyone he pleases. VILLA is known for its exclusivity. NO ONE, it seems, can get in, and paps spend half their nights outside of it.  Just check out TMZ.
If you do make it past the pearly gates, you’ll find a room stuffed with beautiful people–anorexic models and men with high cheek bones– and money out the ears. But you won’t find much more. The decor is pirate cosmopolitan, ropes hanging from the ceiling like a skeleton.
VILLA is exactly like the people held within it: beautiful, but not much substance.

entertainment, travel

Death of a Nightclub– GOA

Becca

I’ve been working in the nightclub business for the past couple of years. While I think bottle service is ridiculous, it has paid for food on my table and a roof over my head.

An added benefit has been a crash course in the business of nightlife. What I’ve realized is that in a city like LA, nightlife is a world of its own.

Clubs come and go faster than a rainstorm or the latest fashion trend here. The best recent example of this is GOA.

I went to GOA right after it opened. A beautiful chain-link ceiling, large spacious rooms and a beautiful crowd made is seemed destined for Hollywood greatness. But it turns out GOA is already floundering.

Because of a licensing conflict, GOA is changing into a restaurant. This Friday is the last night for one of their biggest promotions.

There have been several complaints about the noise and over-capacity of the place as of late, filled with D-list wanna-be-celebs like Heidi Montag. So, the owners are putting in tables, and serving sushi.

Even though they’re trying to stay afloat, most people know that a nightclub serving food doesn’t float well here. You don’t want to dance where you eat, most of the time. So, it is only a matter of time until GOA sinks all together.


Crowd at Goa

Uncategorized

Earthquake!

Becca

Minding my business in the shampoo aisle of Ralph’s this morning, when all of a sudden all the shelves start shaking. It’s a familiar feeling that I haven’t felt for years. It stops, and starts again. This time, the bottles start falling off the shelves and onto me, so everyone starts running to the front door.

And then the earthquake was over.

The most worrisome part (other than the fact that grocery store shelves look pretty tall when they are threatening to fell over on you) is that cell phones were dead after the quake, so there’s no way to check on loved ones. What will happen if the big one comes?

Other

Settle it in Court

Becca

Went to court today for my mess of a red light ticket.

Luckily, she ground it on down to the original ticket, so I go back to paying the original fine
($360 is still a RIDICULOUS amount, I say).

What was really interesting is the guy before me was in army fatigues. He had the same sort of ticket as I did. After the judge said he could pay for it and go to traffic school (the same as everyone else), he turned to return to his seat.

Then, she said, “Are you in active duty?”

He said yes. Then she asked if he had been to Iraq.

“Yes. For 27 months,” he responded.

She then excused his ticket, and dismissed all charges, in “the name of justice.” They both got a round of applause from the crowd.

I guess she figured if you can spend OVER TWO YEARS in Iraq, she can let  a little ticket go. It was a pretty impressive scene.

film

Broken- Downtown Film Festival

Becca

Broken

“Broken,” a short film I have some association with, has been accepted to Los Angeles’s Downtown Film Festival. It will show on Aug. 16.

“Broken” Director: Harry Buerkle 2007, USA, 7 mins. Numbing loneliness has led a woman to make a decision that she comes to regret deeply the next day.

The festival seems to have some interesting films, so it is probably worth stopping by, even if you can’t see “Broken.” Schedule here.