"Si hortum in bibliotheca habes, deerit nihil.” “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need." ― Cicero, Letters to His Friends, Vol 2: Books 7-12 Pandora Internet Radio is an amazing service. Since joining in 2008, it has introduced me to more great music than the AM/FM radio, my friends, … Continue reading As Not Heard on Pandora — After fourteen years, the best music streaming site is still deeply flawed
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
California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Little Seoul
INTRODUCTION TO LITTLE SEOUL Drive down Garden Grove Boulevard with your windows up (paying proper attention to the road in front of you) and you might not notice that you're passing through Little Seoul. There are no banners, memorials, murals, monuments or that many fluttering South Korean flags. Pass through on a bus and maybe you'll notice … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Little Seoul
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California Fool’s Gold — Visiting Little Saigon
VISITING LITTLE SAIGON -- HAPPY ASIAN-PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH Southern California is home to several ethnic enclaves and since the region's largest and fastest-growing racial minority are Asian, perhaps it's not surprising that most of the recognized neighborhoods are specific to various Asian populations. In Los Angeles County there's Cambodia Town, Chinatown, Filipinotown, Koreatown, Little … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Visiting Little Saigon
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The Filipino New School Freestyle Revival
Freestyle is a type of dance-pop music that evolved from Hi-NRG, Electro, and Hip-Hop in the early 1980s— primarily in New York City and specifically the South Bronx. Due to the ethnic and musicological background of some of its producers, performers and many of its fans, Freestyle was originally often referred to as Latin Hip-Hop. … Continue reading The Filipino New School Freestyle Revival
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A look at Tsukioka Yoshitoshi on his 175th birthday
Kanaki Toshikage portrait of Yoshitoshi One of Japan's greatest artists, Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, was born on this day in 1839, which I reckon makes it as good a time as any to blog about him. For those unfamiliar, Yoshitoshi is widely regarded as one of ukiyo-e's greatest innovators, as well as its last major practitioner. He produced … Continue reading A look at Tsukioka Yoshitoshi on his 175th birthday
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Italo-disco singer Savage is coming to Southern California
On 6 June 2014, '80s Italo legend Savage is performing for the first time in Southern California. He'll perform his greatest hits, including “Don't Cry Tonight,” “Only You,” “A Love Again,” “Fugitive,” “Radio,” and more in an event that will be DJed by BPM and hosted by singer TQ. Advance tickets are available here. Savage … Continue reading Italo-disco singer Savage is coming to Southern California
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Ziv Television and a brief history of syndicated television in America
Due to the rise in quality television and the sad, hopefully-not-irreversible decline of Hollywood films, any unbiased viewer of both would have to agree that television is entirely capable of producing great art. Much of the credit goes to cable (e.g. Breaking Bad and Mad Men) and online television (e.g. Homestar Runner and House of Cards). … Continue reading Ziv Television and a brief history of syndicated television in America
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Taking Public Transit to the Beach It may be chilly and windy today (perfect for flying kites) but it's officially spring and in Southern California, the beach beckons. Although many Angelenos are holding their breath waiting for a "Subway to the Sea" that won't arrive until sometime after 2035, there is (despite the suggestion to … Continue reading
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The Rural Upsurge — A Brief History of Country Cool and Uncool
Arthur Rackham illustration for The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse Since the US's founding, Americans have steadily moved from the countryside to the city but the story of our pop culture has always been the product of a dialogue between the two worlds, with urban and rural fashions coming and going. While being country … Continue reading The Rural Upsurge — A Brief History of Country Cool and Uncool
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Nobody Drives in LA — Taking Public Transit to the Beach
With bicycles, buses, ferries, planes, rideshares, sidewalks, subways, taxis, and trains at Angelenos’ disposal, why would any sane person choose car-dependency? Nobody Drives in LA celebrates sense and sensibility in transportation. ***** Although spring has officially just begun, thanks to our chaparral climate even Los Angeles winters have more than their fair share of warm days, perfect for taking trips … Continue reading Nobody Drives in LA — Taking Public Transit to the Beach
Eric Brightwell 