It's already December 5th again. Everyone knows that I'm obsessed with holidays and St. Nicholas Day is one of my favorites. Most people have heard David Sedaris' story about Santa Claus vs. St. Nicholas and maybe some of us know that he was a Greek bishop in present-day Turkey who became the patron saint of … Continue reading It’s the Eve of St. Nicholas Day
Happy Thanksgiving — The evolution of Thanksgiving
December 4, 1619. 38 Brits got together in Charles Cittie. Captain John Woodleaf spake, "Wee ordaine that the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually keept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty god." Wahunsenacawhk , Matoaka, and John Rolfe They … Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving — The evolution of Thanksgiving
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Yellowface — Hollywood Chinese
Famed Asian-American rights activist Ngoc-Thu Thi Nguyen and I watched this documentary about depictions of Chinese in Hollywood film called ... Hollywood Chinese. I love observing how Hollywood deals with all races and ethnicities. Sometimes it's hilarious and sometimes it's pretty appalling and then there's the rare occasion on which it rings true, which usually … Continue reading Yellowface — Hollywood Chinese
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California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Alhambra, the Gateway to the San Gabriel Valley
I had to go to Alhambra to see a man about a horse at the bidding of the always radiant Ngoc Nguyen. ALHAMBRA'S LOCATION Alhambra is on the western edge of the San Gabriel Valley between posh San Marino, trendy South Pasadena, historic San Gabriel, blue-collar Rosemead, and the most Chinese city in the US, Monterey … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Alhambra, the Gateway to the San Gabriel Valley
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California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Montebello
I went to a baptism the other day for one Mateo Gareza in the city of Montebello, the subject of this neighborhood blog. Pendersleigh & Sons Cartography's map of Montebello, available on a variety of merchandise as well as art prints For the occasion I was accompanied by none other than Miss San Gabriel Valley … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Montebello
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California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Granada Hills
Today's Los Angeles neighborhood blog is about Granada Hills. I drove to Granada Hills today to buy a rug for Lush Floral Design head-honcho, Ngoc Nguyen. To get there I used the Ronald Reagan Freeway, named after an actor from Illinois who made some films which are widely regarded as being universally unmemorable. The ex-actor, after retiring from … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Granada Hills
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Lars and the Real Girl — Finally an Idiot Man-Child Film I Wasn’t Crazy About
Lars... whoops- David Arquette The real Lars In Lars and the Real Girl, Ryan Gosling plays a shy loner who is henpecked by nagging family and friends determined to … Continue reading Lars and the Real Girl — Finally an Idiot Man-Child Film I Wasn’t Crazy About
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Cinéma Direct vs. Cinéma Verité – The Quest for Cinematic Truth
Today marks the one billionth time the term "cinéma vérité" was used in a manner with which I don't agree. This time it was in reference to a shaky-cam advertisement for blue jeans or cell phones or something. Cinéma Direct Cinéma Direct is documentary genre that began in Quebec in 1958. The Quiet Revolution, a cultural … Continue reading Cinéma Direct vs. Cinéma Verité – The Quest for Cinematic Truth
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Chrissy Plain & Simple
The other night I went (blessed with the company of the amazing Ngoc em and her cousin, Bao -- and my co-worker Hiland) to see the filming of the pilot for a Chris Elliott vehicle called Chrissy Plain & Simple. I like the name and concept. Just pure, unadulterated Chris Elliot, without any bells and whistles … Continue reading Chrissy Plain & Simple
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Pulp in the pre-Britpop Era
I was wondering whilst trying to fall asleep the other night why I haven't ever looked up any Pulp videos on Youtube before. Then I remembered that I had a DVD called Hits, so what else could there be? A few seconds later, a vacuum tube in my mind sparked to life and I recalled … Continue reading Pulp in the pre-Britpop Era
