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 Cambodia Town (ទីក្រុងខ្មែរ), Long Beach’s Little Phnom Penh

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 11 Comments

In recognition of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, this entry is about the Long Beach neighborhood of Cambodia Town (ទីក្រុងខ្មែរ). Pendersleigh & Sons' Official Map of Cambodia Town   Cambodia Town is a neighborhood in Long Beach's East Side centered on Anaheim Street betweenAtlantic and Junipero. To the north is the neighborhood of Signal Hill. To the south … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Cambodia Town (ទីក្រុងខ្មែរ), Long Beach’s Little Phnom Penh

Roommate wanted – an interview with Roommate’s Kento-chan Lambert

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For this Asian Pacific American Heritage Month I asked Asian-Americans involved in the arts to get at me. The first to do so was Kent Lambert, an experimental pop guy who lives in Chicago and is the front man for Roommate. Eric: How is your Asian Pacific American Heritage Month going? Kent Lambert: It's going swimmingly, … Continue reading Roommate wanted – an interview with Roommate’s Kento-chan Lambert

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Little Bangladesh (লিটল বাংলাদেশ)

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 16 Comments

The Heart of Little Bangladesh This blog entry is about the Midtown Los Angeles neighborhood of Little Bangladesh. To vote for more neighborhoods to be the subject of future blog entries, let me know which in the comments. Pendersleigh & Sons Cartography's in and correction fluid map of Little Bangladesh, available in art prints and merchandise … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Little Bangladesh (লিটল বাংলাদেশ)

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Koreatown (코리아타운)

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 45 Comments

  NB: Since the initial publication of this blog entry, Koreatown's borders have been expanded and made official by the city. A new map reflects this but the text of the blog entry does not.   This blog entry is about the Los Angeles neighborhood of Koreatown. In recognition of you, the blog readers' votes, … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Koreatown (코리아타운)

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Gardena

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 23 Comments

This here entry’s about Gardena. To vote for other Los Angeles County communities to be the subject of future entries, click here. To vote for Los Angeles neighborhoods, click here. To vote for Orange County neighborhoods, vote here. Gardena (in Japanese, ガーデナ; in Korean, 가데나 ) is located in the South Bay or South LA region, depending on … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Gardena

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Claremont, the City of Trees and PhDs

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 13 Comments

FOREWARD This blog entry is about the city of Claremont. Claremont City Hall INTRODUCTION Claremont is the poshest of the three cities in the Los Angeles end of the Pomona Valley. It's bordered by La Verne to the west, Pomona to the southwest, Montclair to the southeast, Upland to the east, and the Angeles National … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Claremont, the City of Trees and PhDs

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Glendale, the City of Perpetual Harvest

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 45 Comments

Glendale, seen from Griffith Park This entry is about the Los Angeles County community of Glendale. A few days ago, accompanied by frequent traveling companion "Steve Shimbles..." the CARDIS transported us to The City of Perpetual Harvest. A former used car lot where my ex-roomie David Galvez sold a car became the site of Cerritos … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Glendale, the City of Perpetual Harvest

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Eagle Rock

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 20 Comments

Eagle Rock from above This entry of the Los Angeles neighborhood piece is about Eagle Rock. Eagle Rock is a neighborhood situated in Northeast Los Angeles. It is neighbored by the Glendale neighborhoods of Citrus Grove, Glenoaks Canyon, Scholl Canyon, Somerset, and Woodbury; the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Annandale, Glassell Park, Mount Washington, and York Valley (usually … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Eagle Rock

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Thai Town (ไทยทาวน์)

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 21 Comments

 Both apsonsi and LADOT signs mark the entrances to Thai Town This entry is about the Los Angeles neighborhood of Thai Town. Pendersleigh & Sons' Official Map of Thai Town (with no attempts made at scale)   Siam Square Thai Town is roughly bounded by Hollywood Blvd on the north, Normandie on the east, Western … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Thai Town (ไทยทาวน์)

Celluloid Heroines – Fearless Filmmaking Females

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    Every female director who's been nominated for an Oscar for direction: Katherine Bigelow, Lina Wertmüller, Jane Campion, and Sofia Coppola On 31 January, The Guardian published an article titled “Why are there so few female filmmakers?” Less than a month later, Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win the director’s prize at the 62nd Directors' Guild … Continue reading Celluloid Heroines – Fearless Filmmaking Females