Author: Eric Brightwell

Eric Brightwell is an essayist, rambler, explorer, cartographer, and guerrilla gardener. He lives in Los Angeles, not because he was born here, but because he chose to... for all of the things for which its famous: its verticality, its mass transit, its diversity, its schools, its liminal spaces, its architecture, its wildlife, its museums, its night markets, its cinemas, its theaters, its enclaves, its restaurants, its bars, its libraries, &c

Introduction to the Music of 王若琳 (Joanna Wang) for the Use of the English-Speaking World

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 8 Comments

JOANNA WANG Joanna Wang is one of my favorite contemporary songwriters, although that, in and of itself, was not enough to compel me to write this biography/discography/ timeline. For one, most of what I've been able to gather about Wang has been written in Chinese, whereas I think that the appeal of her music should extend … Continue reading Introduction to the Music of 王若琳 (Joanna Wang) for the Use of the English-Speaking World

Where Fools Fear to Tread — A Snapshot of the Philippines (Metro Manila and the Calamian Islands)

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 18 Comments

This past June, Una and I visited the Philippines. While she was born and raised there, it was my first time in the country and only my second visit to Asia. We spent a week in Una's homeland before taking off on the next leg of our vacation, to Korea. The following is a record of … Continue reading Where Fools Fear to Tread — A Snapshot of the Philippines (Metro Manila and the Calamian Islands)

Introduction to the Music of 라이너스의 담요 (Linus’ Blanket) & 연진 (Yeongene) for the Use of the English-Speaking World

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 2 Comments

I only discovered the music of Korean band-cum-solo project, Linus’ Blanket, a couple of years ago, through singer (and now sole member) Yeongene’s collaboration with BMX Bandits, of whom I’ve long been a fan. Sadly, BMX Bandits are barely known in the US -- and the same is true of Linus’ Blanket. However, whereas at least … Continue reading Introduction to the Music of 라이너스의 담요 (Linus’ Blanket) & 연진 (Yeongene) for the Use of the English-Speaking World

Urban Rambles — Exploring Koreatown Malls with Machiko

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 5 Comments

2017 marks the tenth anniversary of me exploring Los Angeles for my online series, California Fool’s Gold.  For the occasion, I’ve turned to fellow explorers to see where they’d want to go and published my accounts on my newer series, Urban Rambles. My friend Machiko Yasuda and I recently explored Mid-City but she suggested another ramble, … Continue reading Urban Rambles — Exploring Koreatown Malls with Machiko

Urban Rambles — Exploring Inglewood with Marya

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 1 Comment

For my tenth year of exploring Los Angeles with the series, California Fool’s Gold, I’ve been reaching out to fellow explorers to see where they’d like to explore for another of my series, Urban Rambles. So far all of my rambling companions have had names that start with "M" -- Marvin, Maya, Mike, and Machiko. … Continue reading Urban Rambles — Exploring Inglewood with Marya

Where Fools Fear to Tread — A Snapshot of Mexico (Tulum, Teotihuacan & Mexico City)

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 24 Comments

In June 2016 I went to Tulum and Mexico City. Although I'd by then lived in neighboring California for 17 years, my prior experiences  in California had been limited to Baja California -- namely Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Mexicali, Rosarito, San Felipe, and Tijuana. While I certainly didn't expect the Yucatán or capital to closely resemble the border and resort … Continue reading Where Fools Fear to Tread — A Snapshot of Mexico (Tulum, Teotihuacan & Mexico City)

Nobody Drives in LA — Riding the Pacific Surfliner to San Diego

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 3 Comments

I've now lived in Los Angeles for eighteen years. Even though most of my dreams still seem to unfold in Missouri, I've been in California longer than I've been anywhere else. However, as much as I love exploring cities, I rarely make it over to the state's second largest, San Diego. Furthermore, as much as … Continue reading Nobody Drives in LA — Riding the Pacific Surfliner to San Diego

Urban Rambles — Exploring Mid-City with Machiko

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 8 Comments

In this -- my tenth year of exploring, writing about, and mapping Los Angeles -- I've so far eschewed undertaking my fairly exhaustive (and completely exhausting) community explorations for which I'm probably best known, California Fool's Gold. Instead, I've preferred to undertake smaller, less structured "rambles" though the city accompanied by fellow explorers. For this edition, I explored Mid-City with my friend Machiko … Continue reading Urban Rambles — Exploring Mid-City with Machiko

Where Fools Fear to Tread — A Snapshot of Taiwan (Taipei & the East Coast)

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 34 Comments

MY TRIP -- INTRODUCTION In August 2010 I went on a trip to Taiwan. Like most Americans, I had little knowledge of the island in East Asia. In school, we learned that Taiwan was formerly called Formosa (although I don’t believe it was mentioned by whom). Later it became Taiwan. The Nationalists (the “good guys” … Continue reading Where Fools Fear to Tread — A Snapshot of Taiwan (Taipei & the East Coast)

Urban Rambles – Exploring Bronzeville with Maya and Michael

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 7 Comments

2017 is my tenth year of exploring and writing about Los Angeles communities. In 2007 I explored Granada Hills, Montebello, and Alhambra, and titled my series California Fool's Gold in homage to Huell Howser's California's Gold (1991-2012). In 2014 I spun off a related series, Urban Rambles, in which I undertake short, small, loosely structured walks of various corners of Southern California. … Continue reading Urban Rambles – Exploring Bronzeville with Maya and Michael