Faith47  from S. Africa is showing her geo-political messaged pieces at http://www.carmichaelgallery.com along with 4 other artists from the U.S. of A and abroad. Many of the pieces were surprisingly affordable but I am afraid its gonna be my new crack if I start buying art now. In the meantime free galleries for me.

I have been noticing a trend of guerrilla spaces that intrigues me on 3 levels: putting vacant uses to space, juxtaposing places and people that normally do not coexist, and introducing/exposing new ideas to the surrounding community. Phantom Galleries is an example of the former and the Comme des Garcons store near Jtown is an example of the latter. What is lasting? What has permenance? Where is the line between function and symbolism. More and more, it seems like brick and mortar are becoming vehicles for ideas.  In someways guerrilla spaces  are theatrical since those who venture these places come for an experience. I don’t claim totally to understand my draw to these spaces myself but their messages somehow permeate and lead to other questions. I remember what I don’t understand.

Soundtrack of Mi Vida: Melt My Heart to Stone-Adele

Tofu Fest 07 was bigger than ever. Some past years were lil better because of they had a big kids crafts area, live music, and more shaded rest areas. And it was HOT and I have sandal tan lines to prove it. Still the masses came which meant snaking lines for everything. Never stood in line so long for tofu. Had a kid in one hand most of the time and a tofu in the other so no pics of the grub. Best dishes were the tofu-hambug from Tokyo Table and tofu cheesecake from House Foods. I was a little disappointed that they didn’t have any stuffed tofu mascot toys…you know for the kids.

Soundtrack of Mi Vida: Smoker Detector-Rilo Kiley

Attached Files:

• Tofu Festival 07

Soundtrack of Mi Vida: I’m Married-Tegan & Sara

Food and wine always tastes better when it’s all for a good cause and served by Asian celebrities. Best dish and drink of the night were surprisingly the standards: grilled salmon and asparagus hand rolls from Roy’s and an ice-cold, Tiger beer. And yes, I am man enough to say it, I have a man crush on Russell Wong.

Soundtrack of Mi Vida: Just-Mark Ronson ft. Phantom Planet

I am all about the FREE events in LA. RSVP is closed but don’t worry, hipsters are mad flakers. Meet up at the house if y’all wanna caravan.

Soundtrack of Mi Vida: Headlock – Imogen Heap

Angelini Osteria – Everyone is smiling here and you will leave smiling, too. Especially after a few glasses of the Vietti Barolo which has quite some legs to it. Everything is good so just eat, drink, and talk really loud with your mouth full. Oh and ask the Italian waiters to teach you some “sign language”.

Pollo a la Brasa – I used to live in K-town during gradschool and always passed by this Peruvian chicken rotisserie joint (smoking yellow shack on Western and 8th) in my purple hoopty to and fro school but for some reason never dropped in till this weekend. As I held a crispy skinned, glossy chicken quarter in one hand and a ball of rice in the other(I try to not to use utensils when ever possible to, you know, live greener) I thought of how great LA’s eclecticism is. Where in the world can you get served Peruvian chicken by a Japanese couple and look out the window to see pasty Koreans walking about with their umbrellas and Mexican families toting around black plastic bags bulging with the day’s buys.

NorCal

“I like the bubbling play of wit, the chesty laughs,the resonant voices of men, when, glass in hand, they shut the grey world outside and prod their brains with the fun and folly of an accelerated pulse. “- Jack London, Jack Barleycorn

Nation’s Giant Burgers – I was wandering around Jack London Square (not recommended if you are afraid of the dark, homeless folks, and frankly, black people) late one night trying to fight off the lonely business man blues with some comfort food. I came upon Nation’s, two doors down from the siren lights of the XXX adult store. Nation’s doesn’t mess around, they serve up big-ass burgers with slices of cheese as thick as a McDonald’s meat patty that will put you in a food coma mid-bite and a good sweet potato tart that reminded me of banh khoai mi. The service is slow late at night but sometimes thats a good thing.

Soizic Bistro – West Oakland is one of those areas where one block separates the designer planned lofts, promenades, and shopping plazas from urban grit. So I was surprised to this French fusion bistro underneath crumbling steely, blue stucco walls. I was drawn in by the shelves of amber liquor refracting beams of the setting sun and stayed for the duck confit salad and lamb filet mignon. Don’t know if this is a popular local spot but wouldn’t mind if it was my secret.

Soundtrack of Mi Vida: I Just Called to Say I Love You – Stevie Wonder (makes me think of those Karaoke laser discs that had footage of random 80′s big haired Europeans women frolicking on a beach for every song)

Flavorpill knows how to throw a charity party right. Great venue, 5 live bands, live art, fierce DJs, photobooth, gift bags, dancing furniture, and FREE BEER! It was xiet bud but hey it was FREE! Good showing for a Thursday night but thought channels of communication and promotion were not tapped to its full potential. Too bad. Hmmm maybe I should offer them my event planning services and adspace on my site.

Soundtrack of Mi Vida: Past in Present – Feist

This spring marks Flavorpill LA’s fifth anniversary (can you believe how far we’ve come?), but instead of asking for fabulous presents, we’re hoping you’ll help someone else out. 100% of tonight’s suggested donation goes toward the creation of sustainable water supplies for barren areas in Africa. In addition to good karma, your ticket also earns you free drinks, a subscription to co-presenter GOOD magazine, and incendiary live music, DJ sets, and emcee action. Expect lively performances from the likes of Monsters Are Waiting, She Wants Revenge (spinning), Norton Wisdom, J*DaVeY, the Gray Kid, Guns n’ Bombs, Franki Chan, Fuevoz, and Mark van S. as everyone comes together for a great party and a great cause.

- SND

Soundtrack of Mi Vida: Fall At Your Feet – Crowded House

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Where Jeff be at tonight. I will be the only gook bobbing his head there so say hi. Grecio’s pizza in a paperplate afterwards…yum yum.

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Made me think of my penchant for complicated women (maybe this is why Herrick was bachelor for life)….

Delight in Disorder.

A Sweet disorder in the dresse
Kindles in cloathes a wantonnesse :
A Lawne about the shoulders thrown
Into a fine distraction :
An erring Lace, which here and there
Enthralls the Crimson Stomacher :
A Cuffe neglectfull, and thereby
Ribbands to flow confusedly :
A winning wave (deserving Note)
In the tempestuous petticote :
A carelesse shooe-string, in whose tye
I see a wilde civility :
Doe more bewitch me, then when Art
Is too precise in every part.

- Robert Herrick

Soundtrack of Mi Vida: Heavy Metal Kings – Jedi Mind Tricks