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.

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?

Thankstaking

As I learn to take what I believe to be subtly sarcastic remarks made to spark my real creativity/smarts/ingenuity compliments, and seriously, I’m working on it, I always try to remain thankful. I look very forward to my annual list of thankfulness. There’s a lot.

As Israel and Gaza try to blow each other up, think of what it would be like to run the entIre boarder of the Gaza Strip or kiteboard the Dead Sea. Both things many people will never accomplish. But maybe one day the next generation might be able to succeed in peace and awesomeness. We could be that generation.

Joined Instagram and Twitter to join the conversation of stream of conscious that lives on in perpetuity or at least until the server space runs out. I’ll continue posting here, of course, but with more editorial leisure. Probably a bit more quality too.

Here are a few pictures.

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!

From Chicago to Chigasaki

After trying for years to finally surf Asia, a man named Masa (and a beautiful young lady named Katie) made it happen.

Consistent 6 ft waves and a permanent grey mist set the stage for the event. If the clouds let off, we would have seen Mt. Fuji. I took some video and when I get around to it, I’ll compile it all. After, of course, I get to all the other months I’ve been slacking off on.

Check out Masa’s site for more pics. What a great day and cool guy!

Arrigato Gozaimas

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.

not TRI-ing hard enough

Believe it or not, this is what I’m wearing right now. Yes, blogging in this. Is it comfortable? God no. Does it make me rethink my fitness goals? Absolutely. Am I going to do anything about those goals? Probably not Of course!

I am about to foray into the wonderful stupid expensive world of Triathlon. Now, training for triathons is an ENTIRELY different game.

 

MARATHON: What do you do? Run. When? Every other day, like clockwork. Is it hard? yes, because you have to leave your warm bed and put on shoes and run for several hours at a time.

TRIATHLON: What do you do? Swim, Bike, Run, WOO! When? 5-6 times a week, but it’s cool because it’s working different parts of your body so while you’re deadbeat tired from training that much, your individual muscle groups won’t be. Or so they say. Is it hard? Not really, you just have to coordinate a biking schedule that doesn’t interfere with work or traffic, a swimming schedule that doesn’t interfere with pool hours or senior aquatics or Masters classes and as a dessert, you get to run. But don’t worry, different muscle groups remember.

 

Should I have left it to the amateurs pros and just enjoy swimming and biking and running? Yeah, I probably should have.

Did I call my own bluff? Yes, without a doubt.

Will I complete training and compete in March? Of course. I mean, I paid for it didn’t I?

Is my next purchase going to be a bike that is the same price as a starter home? Well, if it’s on Groupon Goods then I CAN’T go wrong…

Here I sit, alone with a schedule. Looking foolish, and eating human jet fuel. Oh why oh why did I pay, a hundred bucks for all this dismay. For comfort and solace, I’ll run to feel good. Running, but not biking and swimming like I should. When I figure this out, it’ll all make sense. But for today and today only, I’ll sit on this fence…

Wanna see Flea, come by me

Over the past 8 years I’ve had sort of a spirit animal that I see from time to time.

I was not born on third and thought I hit a triple. I’ve spent the majority of my life living in the suburbs. But my parents gave me some great batting gloves and some good advice: Work hard, take chances and aim for the fences. Which brings me to my first notion.

I moved to CA without knowing a soul out here and made the best of it. That was the chance I took. I worked hard to afford a modest place in Silverlake. That was the effort I put in. And my reward is being able to walk, bike and metro my way around LA. So in all of those great adventures, I always see my spirit animal.

My spirit animal isn’t a coyote, snake or California condor. It’s a flea. Or rather, it is Flea. I see him everywhere I go. When I surf (same break I surf), at the Dodger game, in Silverlake(mere blocks from his music conservatory), riding his motorcycle(same bike I’ve been eyeing for years), etc.

So I’m stoked knowing that an international rock star and I have so much in common. It also inspires me to work harder, which means more rewards and better life.

So thanks, Mike. Thanks for being around.

I change shapes just hide in this place.

Well it’s been an eventful year, that’s for damn sure. Trying to get organized and regularly blog was the intention. Looks like that good intention will continue in the new year.

And now I’ll have 3 times the responsibility. here and here too. Not to mention the tumblr. Crap I set high expectations…

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.