Weakends of Summer

This summer flew by. In fact, fall too. While there have certainly been busy moments, there haven’t been enough to warrant breaking a goal of one post (minimum) per blog per month. It’s just staying on top of it. Motivation, spark, whatever you want to call it, we need more of it. Not just for small readership blogs, but to truly be happy with everything around. This person kinda does that pretty well. Even just by his name, No Matter Whatness. It’s hard to run past that tag and feel less inspired. Run more. Hike. Learn about this city. Play music. See the stars.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of instinctual laziness Instagram, it’s been difficult to discern which pictures should be saved for the blog or which should be uploaded almost as soon as they’re taken, to be shared with the world. No, I’m not private. @alexandercandia.

But there are a couple keepers. This will be a pretty thorough rundown, through pictures, of the summer that was 2013. Next step… Real camera…

 

Hanni El Khatib

World’s smallest backyard

At least you got that…

La Taqueria in Mission, SF

Chicago Strong, London Song

Rocks in a field

Rockin’ a field

Limited edition, as in, I don’t have one and I want

Every couple years I get the chance to see Trent. I cherish these.

Spent 10 years pining for this. Worth it.

30 years of hits

FRAN-CIS!

Dog in Grass Skirt Alert

New Music from The Dead Ships soon

We will return and the patina will be further

JMT/KU4

Don’t fear the Japanese, It’s Mongolians that do the damage…

Katie Hampton… In her little lullaby…

Remember this and you can’t lose

Watts goin’ on

The worst feeling is missing 2 minutes, sprinting to the bathroom, during the series finale of Breaking Bad with the cast in a cemetery

fall from the sky 18K feet high

Michelle’s great aunt’s waterfall in Big Sur

Serious piece of work

Sidesmile, Legohead, Biggrin

Now we’re pretty much up to speed. Check out the other blogs in the next few days for more updates and pics.

Oh and thanks, Chase.

Indy Dock Feet

Classixx have some new jams out. I’ve been looking for something to blast this summer and I think I may have found it.

Had the distinct pleasure of watching my friend of 20+ years marry the girl of his dreams. It involved a few trips to the airport and some nights that bled into days but it was all worth it.

Insidious grip

Traveling to Europe later this summer. Just booked tickets and that’s about it. 8 days to get craze.

It takes about 1 hour walking from my front doorstep to the steps of Griffith Observatory. I know, I walked it.

LAzy Saturday Haze

You should come sometime.

Saturday Night (Cabin) Fever

Last night was spent wrangling cats and reading magazines, what ever could be in store for tonight? Last weekend was pretty epic (not a word to be taken lightly, along with amazing, phenomenal, etc.) But an EP release, street fest, bicycle party should count for something. Oh and there was that 36 hours spent in Texas.

Katie had her EP release show at Molly Malone’s last week and it was awesome. She sang beautifully and the band killed it too. A few hiccups but what’s to be expected of a sound guy bunch of professional musicians playing a gig together for the first time? I’m a bit biased but the covers showed depth and the originals really came to life on stage. They did great and everyone is looking forward to the next show. Wish there was more video but apparently 16GB iPhones don’t reaallly hold 16GB of photos.

I liked Katie and the Hamptones but austere is best

Brokechella happens once a year but cARTel puts on events from time to time. Very cool, organic street fest reminiscent of the street fests in Chicago (but I guess LA is gearing up for it’s street fest season too, Jubilee, Tacolandia, etc.) A fast, fun time, we ran into all kinds of people including former colleagues, classmates and the bassist from my favorite local high school band. Random doesn’t begin to describe all the fun that was to be had at Brokechella but some great up-and-coming bands got to thrill the varied crowds. The Dead Ships, Hello Echo, yOya, King Washington, and it goes on and on…

The Dead Ships in the fog

CicLAvia is not just a citywide event where everyone gets out and takes to the streets in bikes, skateboards, anything. It’s also a scar I’ll have for the rest of my life on my right ankle. But that was last CicLAvia, this year’s bike fest took crowds from Union Station to Venice in a 15 mile stretch that gets you thinking, “If this is only 15 miles, I wonder how far I could go if I wasn’t bound by time limits or traffic lights?” Keep your bike Stay tuned because next one is going to be around the Wilshire area in June…

Closed for cars but not for bars

Venice Blvd is a long road

 

And can we PLEASE get someone to buy KDAY?

The home stretch

Welcome back. 2013 has laid its presence with a full month plus and we’ve got plenty to show for it. First, let us start with a goal. A goal that seems easy to beat but nevertheless has proven difficult in years (or should I say, year) past. Blog once a month. Last year, there were only 10 posts. 10. There are more men that have walked on the moon than blog posts from 2012. Now, let’s take it one small step further: once a month PER website I own. It’s only 4, but that means 48 NEW posts this year, at a minimum. Also, it’ll broach new topics and interests.

Boycaughtlove will probably stay the same, a combination of things that interest me across a various array of topics.

The Artichoking will be a combination of motor vehicles(bikes and beaters) and engineering discoveries, new and old.

Bummerpants will be a collective of great stories that end in, well, a pair of form fitting bummerpants.

And finally A Bowl Ethereal will be a food and travel blog. Hopefully, I can convince the co-writer to get involved again.

All of these sites are subject to format change and welcome discussion about direction and content. There’s also a tumblr that needs more pictures.

Listening to Ben Folds and Nick Hornby’s Lonely Avenue joint venture and heard the line “and he should know, he’s got his own blog” How appropriate. I don’t think Ben or Nick suck. In fact, quite the opposite. Despite the immediate connotation for hipster fodder, I’ll eat it. They are both insanely talented. Hoping to complement all of these technological voyages with tactile and physical endeavors as well.

The home is ours. That can read “the world is ours” or that can read “cower and hunker down because it’s going to be a long, bumpy ride” My vote is on the former. We were approved and closed escrow the day after Christmas, proving again, time after time, that the day after Christmas is WAYYY better than the day before Christmas. It’ll be an adventure among other adventures that consume this temporal short period known as “life”. Excited to continue, as I’ve just begun to feel like it is home. Our home. And our location is CLUTCH. I love being able to walk to dinner and drinks. Drive a few minutes to the freeway. Bike to work. Run to the Silver Lake Reservoir. Skate the laundromats.

Quick update:

No half marathon this February. Just realized that it’s the same day as the Oscars. Not possible to do both. I mean, I guess I coul… No. I can’t. Something will come up in the future and I’ll be prepared.

New music is on the way with  Local Natives and The Dead Ships. BUT in addition to those great jams, some more audio candy is coming our way. Well, it’s here. It came last week. Despite the fact that we own a condo together, I really like it and don’t tell anyone but (I listen to it when I’m in my car a lot… shh) Deep in the Rust EP. Download it.

Had a awesome new year’s eve eve completing a mini-marathon of The Walking Dead Season 2 with Will. Good times in Tahoe. Oh yeah, there’s snow there too. It’s pretty cool also.

Coachella released their line-up for this year and it’s acceptable but it’s getting closer to Lollapalooza and the rumors and whispers that are getting me really on the edge of my keyboard. More updates when it’s announced.

This last weekend was a first for the ocean since I returned to California 4 years ago. I went 2 months without getting wet. Surfing massages the soul. The ocean cures what ails. El Porto, we’ll meet again soon, you devil you.

This year we’re looking to see a 100% increase in the following items: playing soccer, Raspberry Pi, Linux, rock climbing, surfing(wishful thinking but hey, wishful)

Here’s some more pictures (I smell like gasoline):

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Permanent Escrow

Being in a 30-day escrow is a lot like being on a waterslide that has dry spots. You’re flying down the shoot in the beginning, probably too fast for the 3ft drop zone at the bottom. Then you hit the dry spot and completely stop. You can’t really climb back to the top. Well, you could try and succeed but it’d be a giant pain in the ass. So you gimp along waiting for some more water. You start moving again and then right as you seen the splash pool, it drys up and you have to walk down the rest of the way and plop into the water. This is all simply because no one told you about those parts. They just told you there was a waterslide.

Glad it’s all happening now when I’m young and full of piss and vinegar instead of old and still full of that same piss and vinegar. There’s a whole lot to look forward to next year so here’s a small list:

• New Dead Ships
• New Local Natives
• New home
• First half marathon
• New AMC Tv
• Lollapalooza

As usual, here’s some pictures to end off the year.

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You dim sum, you lose some

It’s been ages since I felt like I’ve had time to get some thoughts on pages…

Sitting in my inbox is a reminder to renew my domain rights for this and other sites. I know I’m going to but I can’t help thinking that it’s kinda wasting money since I don’t keep up with writing and posting as much as I’d like. Doesn’t matter. Move forward.

Bloc Party- new album “Four” was worth the wait and letting Kele get the electro out of his system.

The xx- I just got this and it’s been a dark pleasure already. I’ve always praised them for their subtlety and cooling/dimming a room. Some bands need to evolve and go in new directions for their second album. Some can afford to make the change wait. Or at least dose it out slowly.

Purity Ring- Crystal Castles for kids.

Twin Shadow- Genre bending band of the year. Is it Robert Smith? Is it The Presets? Was it even written in the past 2 decades?

Dead Ships- Great local band with lo-fi, pedal manipulation that makes you think you’ve heard that one before. But guess what? You haven’t. Singer/writer/guitar Devlin oozes catchy songs. And he’s got pipes too.

The Barnhouse Effect by Vonnegut is a great story that debuted in the 1950s but would bring Hollywood to its knees if it was made today. Such a master of self-reflection and dark satire.

Charlotte- Great food. Godawful weather. Ok, so that’s a stretch. It just isn’t the best place to hold an outdoor speech for the president of the united states. Lucky to have made it out without a scratch or feeling 110V going through my bones, blood and skin. For incredible not necessarily friedSouthern food, check out Rooster’s. After all, they’re checking you out from the walls. Go and you’ll understand quickly. But a bitchin’ place to practice your outdoor adventures. They have the US National Whitewater Center which boasts acres and acres of activities ranging from whitewater rafting to ziplining to single track MTB trails. And a season pass is only $160, making it more affordable and better cross training than any gym could offer. Also in the line-up is NC Music Factory. A great place to go and appreciate all kinds of music since they have about a dozen different venues and bars to suit any taste. I’d love to return some day. Hopefully in the next few years.

Aurora-It’s a shame how someone could take advantage of moviegoers in a way that’s so heartless. Christian Bale showed his true colors and snuck in to visit those injured and the families of the victims. Ever since hearing him speak at The Fighter screening I won’t believe an ill word written or said about him without seeing/hearing it for myself. The film was legendary too.

Marc Maron does a rather extensive little podcast called WTF and it’s riotous. It has singlehandedly been keeping me in sane spirits for my recent transition into an extended commute. He has a way of connecting with other comics, using a secret form of handshake that only funny people have. Funny people and neurotic people. Generally one and the same.

The War of Art is a great book to read when you feel like you’re on the verge of something great. Knocks a little sense into you and helps you understand that you will fail. But you have the ability to succeed. And that’s the most important part. Don’t defer your dreams for a safe life.

Banana muffin recipe: here’s the trick. Two brown/black bananas per one cup old fashioned oats and 1/2 cup water, 45 mins at a preheated 375F in a greased tin. It makes about a dozen muffins. That’s it. No sugar, flour, salt, milk, etc. That is just the beginning. Add any dried, diced, chopped fruit or nut or flavoring and you’re in business. Experiment. Try subbing sweet potatoes for bananas. Go crazy. Add carrots. Thanks to BOK for that nugget.

After a stupidly frustrating for every reason under the sun including work hours, limited bobblehead supplies, racist fans and mixed signalsdisappointing season of Dodger games, I think we’ll just stick to the usual free 76 tickets at the end of the summer. Better planning and time for those games. Besides of the 10 games that we got tix for they lost 8. Go Doyers!

Although the Chavez Ravine wasn’t all that great to us, the dim sum prior was an awesome idea.

Even though Outsidelands was awesome the order still remains, Lollapalooza>Outsidelands>Coachella. With FYF as a wildcard. Street fests are always fun too. Echo Park Rising and Jubilee to name a few.

Time to get some knowledge and then uses this thing (WordPress) to its full extent. Good luck!

Catching too much, releasing too little.

I’d love to say that I’ve slowed down recently, enough to get some writing in and a few videos completed. We’re looking at a year’s worth of footage that still needs to be compiled. We meaning my left and right eyes. I think I should get more into Tumblr to get pics out there.

One thing I’ve definitely been grooving on lately is Childish Gambino. I don’t think I’ve gotten tired of listening to anything he’s put out. ever. I think I just stop listening to be polite to others. He’s a source of inspiration to keep moving and don’t stop. A shark. But not for everyone. You know the saying, “to the world you’re one person but to one person you’re the world”? He must take that to heart alot.

Anyway. Here’s some pictures.

 

Reedus not into temptation

A few back I had the chance to shoot an interview with Norman Reedus. Really nice guy. Like guy that lives 2 doors over and waves when you drive by and has a beer on the steps with you.

Just after the last post, I actually went to the tribute show for Sir Paul McCartney. It was unreal. Walking in behind David Crosby. Hearing Dave Grohl chat people up. Seeing Elvis Costello eat cherry candy pinwheels. Oh, and checking out my girlfriend on the same stage as all these folks. Pretty neat.

New pho place opened down the street. I could actually skateboard right into it if I wanted to. Down a mega-hill that 2 major bus lines(4/704) go through. I know because I almost hit one of them… But it’s really good pho and a great lounge vibe.

Wanted to see it when it came out but didn’t get the chance until recently. Beginners is another wonderful Focus Feature where you know people cannot actually do these things in this reality but you sometimes slip into thinking that it just might be possible. Plus it has the Oscar winning performance of Christopher Plummer and another stellar actor Ewan McGregor.

Also finished my first triathlon. It went well. I did better than expected but left PLENTY of room for improvement. Swims and transitions will be a bit smoother next time. 1:39:17.

Speaking of firsts, we went skeet shooting and discovered a whole new way to have a great time blowing money. Great way to spend a Saturday morning; Shooting at clay targets with shotguns.

Saw the end of an era at Sushi Nozawa. The Sushi Nazi is finished.

Vegas, Oscars, Mt. Whitney, Philippe’s, Vivian wake-up calls in Oakland,Underground Rebel Bingo Club, Levitated Mass, Comedian art show, Monte Mar… and plenty more that I could mention but just don’t have enough time for… So here’s some pix instead.

One Year(ish) Later

Here’s a little something for your viewing pleasure… It’s been my pleasure to continue to make these little reminders of all of the fun things I get to do.

 

This is the IFB Circuit…

Last week I got a lot of music in.

Some really good improv jazz at Kneebody. The Blue Whale is an excellent venue as well. Top left corner, in case you were searching for it.

A sweet little start up called Montë Mar. Good mix of California/Phoenix(band)/Two Door Cinema Club/Local Natives sound. I know the guy who engineered their EP, so he let me in on this secret.

And always a classic, Steel Panther. They have a new song, 17 Girls in a Row. They also had Corey Feldman on stage. Things got a bit touchy when they started in on some MJ jokes. “You know, someone died recently…” Feldman said, agitated and shrinking.

Be on the lookout for a new video and a tumblr called Normal Burns; a photoessay dedicated to Normal Avenue and Burns Avenue and the junk left on both streets.