Happy Holidays (Franklin Ave.)

Uncle Jer's (4459 W. Sunset Blvd.)

LITTLE BOY: Mom, what does Sex and the City mean?

MOM: Well... uhm... sex can mean many different things.

LITTLE BOY: What does sex mean in Sex and the City?





4459 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90027-6017
(323) 662-6710

Missing Bear (Hollywood Blvd. & Prospect Ave.)

The Hollywood Undead (Hollywood Blvd. & N. Berendo St)

Pay but no phone.

Camera Obscura (1450 Ocean Blvd.)

Hidden inside a senior rec center just before the Santa Monica Pier sits a camera obscura (Latin for dark chamber), an optical device that gives you a 360-panaramic view of Santa Monica from a darkened room known as a "collecting space" or "locked treasure room." It is one of the inventions that led to modern photography.

Closes early. Call before you show up. They were closed the last time we went. Nonetheless, we were greeted at the entrance by a large rat in the throes of death. And don't mind the the mumbling homeless man.

Senior Recreation Center
1450 Ocean Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90407
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
(310) 458-8644

AAA Flag & Banner (8954 W. Pico Blvd.)

Sal Mineo Died Here (8563 Holloway Drive)

It was here on the sidewalk where Rebel Without a Cause actor, Sal Mineo, was stabbed and robbed in 1976 at the age of 37. He was returning home from rehearsals for the play P.S. You Cat is Dead.

Bob's Big Boy (4211 W. Riverside Dr.)

Seeing as none of us woke up till noon, breakfast at Hugo's turned into lunch at the oldest Bob's Big Boy. Big Boy Combo with a Root Beer Float. I'm getting all gassy just thinking about it.




4211 West Riverside Drive
Burbank, CA 91505-4146
(818) 843-9334

La Brea & Wilshire

"Stop worrying. Hollywood won't turn your daughter into a nymphomaniac or get her hooked on drugs... I will."

-Bill Maher

Mulholland Dr. (The Last Bend Before Laurel Canyon)

We were this close to getting home last night when we rounded the last bend before Laurel Canyon, only to be stopped by a police officer in the middle of the street.

'Turn around,' he said in no uncertain terms.

We pull forward and I see an 18-wheeler up ahead, partially hidden by the bend. It took me a second, but it finally registered. There was a sports car literally crushed underneath this 18-wheeler. The paramedics weren't there yet.

The Apple Pan (10801 W. Pico Blvd.)

Basis for the Johnny Rockets restaurants. Opened in 1947. Our server had been working there 30 years. My entire life! From the time I was born until the time I sat down at that counter... he's been flipping burgers. That hurts my head. The Apple Pan appears in James Ellroy's 1981 novel, Brown's Revenge. David Sedaris discusses a trip to the Apple Pan in the story "A Can of Worms" from his book Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim.

10801 West Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90064-2105
(310) 475-3585

Record Surplus (11609 Pico Blvd.)

The coolest record shop on the Westside. Found a Solomon Burke record we had been looking for here! Almost bought the Prince Love Symbol album, but at $36, I thought otherwise. Go up to "the Attic" where nothing is more than $.92. Why $.92, I do not know. When they ring you up... they add up your total in their head, round down, and don't add tax.





11609 West Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90064-2908
(310) 478-4217

"I sure lost my musical direction in Hollywood. My songs were the same conveyer belt mass production, just like most of my movies were."

-Elvis Presley

Spaceland (1717 Silverlake Blvd)

Spaceland is not only changing owners, but the name will soon change to The Satellite. I don't think much will change come the new owners. Which is a good thing. Spaceland is responsible for the LA debuts of bands like Arcade Fire, The Killers, and My Morning Jacket.

On the way back to the car last night after the Shonen Knife show someone on a bike was placing a flier on my windshield. I only notice those annoying fliers when I'm speeding down the 101 and they're flapping against my windshield. This time, it wasn't a flier for Shakey's Pizza. It was a $65 parking ticket. Don't park on the North side of Silverlake Blvd. without checking the signs. Or... just don't park on the North side of the street.

Oh, and stay away from their house vodka or you might vomit blood.

The Satellite
1717 Silverlake Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Magic Door IV (155 W 2nd Street)

This used bookstore is famous for staying open till the headliner goes on next-door at the The Glass House. Most of the bands stop by to sign their cds for Magic Door owners, a 60-something year-old couple who will show off their collection to anyone who asks. We stopped in before The Drums. The couple was listening to Surfer Blood. The opening band.

Quality Used Books
155 W. 2nd Street
Pomona, CA 91766

909-472-2991

Vogue Theatre (6675 Hollywood Blvd.)

Designed by noted theatre architect S. Charles Lee and opened on July 16th, 1935. Legend has it this theatre is haunted by a former projectionist, Fritz, who once worked there. Don't know if it's even possible to get into the projection room, or if such room even exists today. In 1995 the theatre was used for psychic performances. Wonder if they ever made contact with Fritz?

Vogue Theatre
6675 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
Status: Closed.

Halloween Harvest Festival ( 20800 Victory Blvd.)

Lame festival with even lamer haunted houses. Showing up late was the one saving grace. No one was around. It felt like we were on a movie set. The carnival workers, high schoolers from an 80's horror movie, gave it that Children of the Corn vibe.









Bring some vodka in a flask for added enjoyment.


Halloween Harvest Festival @Pierce College
20800 Victory Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91367

Only open till Halloween

Crescent Heights @ Fountain

Downtown Pomona (part two)

A few days ago we drove out to Pomona for another amazing concert at The Glass House.



On this particular trip, every storefront window seemed to be a scene right out of a funhouse.



The bakery was dead, but the bread was oddly fresh. There's a 1970's horror movie/Night of the Comet feel that I love about downtown Pomona. The quiet streets. The empty restaurants. We felt like the last two human beings on the planet. We were strangely alright with that thought.



We could hear the opening band warm up down the street before stumbling upon a band's impromptu jam session in the storefront window of some abandoned dress shop.

Royal/Tea Cafe' (8910 Washington Blvd.)

Harajuku Girls brought us platters of high heel pop art to snack on as graffiti artist, Shepard Fairey, DJed. This was Royal/Tea Cafe's opening of their latest exhibit, The Warholian, in honor of Mr. Warhol himself and fittingly sponsored by Ms. Plastic herself, Barbie. A big thank you to Simon for the invite.















Royal/Tea Cafe'
8910 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232



“I love Los Angeles. I love Hollywood. They’re beautiful. Everybody’s plastic, but I love plastic. I want to be plastic.”

Morgan Camera Shop (6262 W. Sunset Blvd.)

Morgan Camera Shop
6262 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028-8797
(323) 465-3101

Kill Your Idols (4633 Hollywood Blvd.)

Walked from my friend Joel's apartment to the Sunset Junction Street Festival to met up with some friends. I snapped a few pics on my way.