sha in LA

In Arabia extends

Calgon take me away.

I've been working mad crazy hours at the day job and the part-time bookkeeping job...doing year-end paperwork is oh so much fun. There's also the ongoing theatre job and coming up this Saturday I'll be giving a tour of City Hall to 8 year old girl scouts. It's all I can do to make it to Sunday.

While we're on the topic of theatre...the show I'm currently Stage Managing, In Arabia We'd All Be Kings, was originally slated to close this coming weekend however it's been extended and will now close on Saturday March 17th. We've received great reviews from the LA Times, Backstage West and the LA Weekly just to name a few and have been selling out the past few weekends. If you're interested in checking it out, there are a limited amount of half price tickets for the extension on Plays411, Goldstar and LA Stage Tix. Sorry but this weekend is pretty much all sold out.

Oh, and about that closing night party on March 17th...the show is set in a bar, we plan on stocking it full of alcohol and well...wouldn't you rather be at OUR bar on St. Patty's day than some jam-packed Irish bar full of wasted idiots?? And it'll be almost like being at an Irish bar, as a good portion of Tom Bergins regulars and a few former wait staff will be on hand.

x

gotta love the ghetto photoshop skillz on the closing date on the postcard...one day i should take a class in phtoshop. for now though, this will have to do.

S on the edison

Due to an interesting set of circumstances, Eric and I were able to get into the Edison on Tuesday evening and check it out sans the massive crowds of people I hear gather there on weekend nights.

We met Sean Hamilton, the very friendly manager, who patiently answered all of my inquisitive questions and apparently works there every hour it’s open. Thankfully for him the hours are 5pm – 2am Wednesday through Friday and 8pm – 2am on Saturdays, giving him a chance to have a life outside of those hallowed walls. Speaking of the space, it’s absolutely ginormous and stunningly decorated with the original electric generators and associated machinery as well as added historic pieces that fit in as if they were original to the space. Hand painted murals adorn many walls and depict the era of the Higgins Building debut in 1910. There are 2 large bars and numerous seating options, from dark and cozy to open and airy. The kitchen is set to open in about 2 weeks and Happy Hour will be from 5pm – 8pm Wednesday through Friday, giving those that get out of work in the 6 o’clock hour the added leeway to enjoy an after work drink or 3 and some nibbles.

I think its safe to say I’ll be visiting the Edison again once the kitchen is operational and largely avoiding the peak hours of attendance. Me and bunches of people I don’t know don’t mix well...

An album will be up tomorrow night possibly. It’s late and mama’s gotta get to bed, no time for Photoshop, uploading and captioning now.

x

ok, one more...

BBQ DTN OMG

Monday afternoon I called my cousin to wish him a HBD and as we were talking I heard myself say "I'm on my way Downtown for a BBQ." After our brief conversation I reflected on the statement I had just made. A BBQ in Downtown seems so oddly out of place yet at the same time so natural. Normally one would travel to Culver City, the Valley, Santa Monica or even Hollywood to go to a BBQ, but Downtown? Yes, isn't that what rooftops were made for?

I had the pleasure of experiencing a wonderful rooftop BBQ the other night, complete with good friends, yummy food, stunning views and a hilarious karaoke episode.

My pictures are rather disjointed, mostly of the buildings and not so much of the people who were there. Trust me, there were more than 4 attendees.

x

itza-mazing

On Sunday night Eric, Phil and I headed over to Chichen Itza for dinner. We originally spied it on the 6th Street Stroll last Sunday, then in a matter of a week I read two reviews of the joint. It was on.

We heard stories of a wildly spicy habanero salsa that Phil was dying to try. The restaurant plays nice and starts you off with a lovely mild roasted tomato salsa that pairs wonderfully with a black bean dip. Then after you've settled in they bring out the big guns. Due to a slight communication error we mistook the crazy-spicy salsa for the not-so-much-spicy salsa and were in for a rude awakening. Phil got off on it while Eric and I were in great pain.

[the two bowls in front, OK for everyone....the two off to either side, be forewarned: SPICYHOT!!!]

After regaining sensation in our taste buds we were treated with the amazing Sopa de Lima, a table favorite along with the Platano con Crema, even after my bold satement of not liking plantains much.

For the main couse we each chose a different path.

Beef tenderlion for Eric.

Sole for Shannon.

And Papadzul for Phil.

We each loved our respective choices. Phil's dish was interesting but I couldn't have had that as a main meal and Eric's beef tenderloin just about nearly made me want to eat red meat again...hehe. My dish, I'd order again in a heartbeat. It'll actually be difficult for me to sway and try something else when we go again...and we will most definitely be back.

Afterwards we decided to walk over to Royale to check it out and have a cocktail. The space is beautifully done with high ceilings, dark colors, dim lighting and wood accents. The bar area is separated from the dining area by a large courtyard which would have been nice to utilize had it not been for the rain.

[Royale]

And finally, rounding out the night...since we didn't have to work in the morning...we took a trip to La Cita on Hill between 4th and 3rd. E&P hadn't been there before and I was only there once during the day...not at night, when the time is right for some dancing! The place was hoppin' and the dance floor was packed. If you've never been to La Cita, let me try to explain the wonderfulness of the interior. Imagine low ceilings, strings of multi-colored christmas lighting everywhere interspersed with tiny red light bulbs, brass railings, red leatherette seating and lots of mirrors. We had great fun listening to the music and watching the action on the dance floor and were slightly taken aback when the security guard suggested we come back for "punk night." You know, just because we're gringos doesn't mean we're interested in punk night...hello!!

It was a night of 3 firsts, and definitely not lasts.

x

5 people walk 6th street for 7 miles

Blue skies, white puffy clouds, a temperate 70 degrees and 5 passionate people. I couldn't have asked for a better day to set out on a walk of 6th Street.

I was joined by Eric, Phil, Chris and Larry. E&P are pretty much 2 of my best friends. I met Chris on one of my Historic Core tours last fall and scolded him for being a "chatty Cathy"...thankfully he didn't get offended and we've kept in sporadic touch ever since; and Larry is an avid reader of all LAcentric blogs and decided it would be a fun walk to join in on.

We started out at 12:15 and quicky got to know each other. One of my favorite memories from the mile #2 marker was Chris' realization that Eric was the Eric of the "Wilshire book" fame. Chris was so excited he called his wife, "honey, guess who I'm walking with...."

All of us at one point or another shared great stories or personal insights of LA that we've experienced. Chris, being a resident of the Mid-Wilshire area and fellow urban explorer, shared with us the secret access to a rooftop in his neighborhood. We took a minor detour to Wilshire, entered said building, made our way to the 13th floor and were graced with an a-freaking-mazing 360º view of the city. Back on 6th Street we made our way through Koreatown and into the final stretch. Despite 2 detours off the route and a few snack stops we were making incredible time and set to arrive well ahead of 5pm, when The Daily Grill opened. This problem was alleviated when we happened upon Pacific Dining Car, a place I've never been in, and we decided it was time for a proper beverage. One drink later we were back on 6th and arrived in Downtown with 15 minutes to spare. The only natural choice to kill some time? Show Chris and Larry the view from the Standard rooftop.

After stuffing ourselves silly on drinks and appetizers, Chris, Larry and I took the subway and bus back to our respective starting points and E&P walked home.

All in all we all agreed that the day was perfect. Likeminded people setting out to walk a street that holds memories or experiences unique to each of us, yet alike in so many ways. Yes, most people don't understand why someone would want to walk 7 miles of any street in LA and that's OK. I can't really explain it to them and I don't want to try. It's those people that do understand that I resonate with the most.

As per usual, photos can be found here.

x

377337733773

HBTM

x

6th Street Stroll update

This morning I scouted the starting spot for the 6th Street Stroll and drove the entire route making triple sure there were sidewalks the entire portion. Good news...there is!

There’s plenty of street parking (read the signs!) on Wilshire near San Vicente which will make taking the bus back to the cars easier. Or if you want to have your car with you at the end you could park in Downtown and bus it to the start of the walk. Either way, the 720 (Wilshire Rapid) or the 20/21 lines on Wilshire make commuting the opposite way a breeze.

Below are the rough estimate mile markers for the walk in case anyone is interested.

Mile 1 – Stanley
Mile 2 – Highland
Mile 3 – Windsor
Mile 4 – Harvard
Mile 5 – Virgil
Mile 6 – Burlington
Mile 7 – Flower

I suspect it’ll take a little over 4 hours for the walk, although parts of 6th near Downtown are hilly. I plan on having a drink and some food at The Daily Grill (cross street is Flower) afterwards and they open at 5pm. All are welcome to stay and have a drink or just meet us there.

I hope to see lots of new faces tomorrow! Oh and keep those prayers going for NO RAIN!

x

just call me Ginger

For today and today only, you may call me Ginger. Tomorrow I go back to Shannon.

x

EPS at e3rd

Ever since Ed at View From A Loft mentioned e3rd a few weeks back I've been itching to go check it out. Earlier today I sent an email to my good friends E&P who live nearby the new restaurant and suggested we go sometime soon. They responded back with an exuberant "what about tonight!" I hesitated at first because I'm fighting a cold, thinking we'd go next week instead, but then shrugged it off and agreed on tonight. Hey, if I'm gonna get sick I may as well have one last good meal before the taste buds go bye-bye. Right?

We enjoyed a nice walk over to the restaurant which is located on 3rd, obviously, near Traction Avenue. The space is deceptively large and modern with a small patio to the rear for the smoking types. We each had a different form of animal (sorry to any vegetarian and/or vegan readers). As per usual, I opted for the fish. Eric had beef and Phil went for the chicken. In order for me to get the fish I had to order a special meal which included an appetizer sampler, which was shared between the 3 of us. Hands down our favorite apps were the sea scallops, followed by the tuna tempura and the pork wrap. Likewise, we all enjoyed our main dishes greatly with Phil eating every last bite of his Spicy Chicken. Eric and I had leftovers because our meals were so big and hearty. We will definitely be adding this place to our future dining options in the 'hood.

Then it came time for dessert....our favorite part. Instead of trying one of the numerous ice cream options at e3rd, E&P suggested a walk over to the Little Tokyo Plaza for a great new yogurt place they had recently found. IF was the place and it was an amazing way to round out the evening. I had the original sour yogurt with strawberries and chocolate chips. E&P had similar concoctions with different toppings.

On our walk back to their loft Phil proclaimed for like the 10th time how much he loved living in Downtown and we all agreed. Even though I'm an interloper, wishing I could truly call Downtown home, I feel his joy. Especially times like these when we are greeted with such fantastical forms of expression.

A few more photos of the evening can be found here.

x

t-minus 7 days and counting

By this time next week I will hopefully have completed the 6th Street Stroll and be well on my way to celebrating the next year in glorious fashion.

Other than spending my days and nights working I haven't done much, hence the lack of postings. Sorry kids. Things should turn around soon.

x