No on Prop 8

Download your own poster here.

Topshop in the U.S.

Kate Moss' Christmas 08 collection is now available at Topshop.

Topshop finally opened its flagship store in New York last month and I'm hoping they will open a store in Los Angeles soon. When it opens, I hope it doesn't disappoint as much as H&M. Albeit there are some great bargains at H&M but I think my expectations were too high.

Bubble Calendar

If I had this Bubble Calendar, I think I would have to pop all the bubbles at once. You can get this fun calendar at Wishingfish.com.

Synecdoche, New York

I was fortunate enough to see "Synecdoche, New York" at an advance screening sponsored by Flux. The film is written and directed by Charlie Kaufman ("Being John Malkovich," "Adaptation," Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind") and like his other movies, it takes a while to process because of the blurring of reality and fantasy. I still can't pronounce the title, let alone tell you what the movie was about. Personally, I thought the theme of the movie was regret; live your life so that when you come to the end you have no regrets. The highlight of the event was when the film was introduced by producer Spike Jonze and actor Tom Noonan (I just realized he was the serial killer from "Manhunter," which haunted me for days after seeing it!).

Prediction: Another Oscar nomination for Philip Seymour Hoffman!

Heartwarming Story About Obama

My friend Jeremy sent me this story entitled: "Amazing: Obama Helped Stranded Stranger 20 Years Ago." If you're not a fan of Obama, you will be after you read the story. If you still don't like him, you have no heart.

Michel Gondry at Family

French writer/director Michel Gondry will be at Family tonight signing his new memoir, "You'll Like this Film Because You're in it" and comic book, "We Won the War but Not the Battle." I would love to go but alas I'm stuck at work.

Pegs on Canvas

I went to the opening reception of Matt Bilfield's exhibit at Ghettogloss on Saturday and was wowed. I'm usually underwhelmed by what people call "art." If it's something anyone can do, I'm not very impressed. But I was definitely impressed with Matt's work. He uses meticulously placed colored pegs to create comic images. Check out the show if you have the time.

The Center of Attention

I found Iggy draped on the microwave the other day. He seems to like sitting on appliances for some reason. Maybe it's the warmth, or maybe he just wants to be the center of attention. He sits in front of the t.v. when I'm watching it, sits on my keyboard when I'm on the computer, sits on my papers when I'm trying to do paperwork, etc... If he weren't so cute, I'd swat him away but I grab my camera every time. He's got me trained really well.

E-Cards Don't Have to be Boring

If you're tired of mainstream, sentimental e-cards, check out Someecards.com.

A Want, not a Need

This parka is only $39 (originally $110) at Eva Chleo.

SAVE THE DATE!

I'll be participating in this show and selling my wares.

NOVEMBER 23, 2008

You’ve been wondering, you’ve been asking, When is that artist tour in Northeast Los Angeles anyway? Shouldn’t it be coming up? Well, mark your calendar. Bigger and better than ever, with over 130 artists, 32 of them new to the Tour this year, The Arroyo Arts Collective Re-Discovery Tour will be Sunday, November 23, 2008, 9:30am to 5:00pm, beginning at the Lummis Home, 200 East Avenue 43 (at the Avenue 43 exit of the Pasadena Freeway), Los Angeles, California 90031.

What: The Arroyo Arts Collective Re-Discovery Tour

When: Sunday, November 23, 2008, 9:30am-5:00pm

Where: Begins at the Lummis Home, 200 East Avenue 43, Los Angeles, CA 90031

Tickets: $10 (plus $1 handling) advance on-line purchase, or $15 at the Lummis Home on the day of the Tour.

Echo Park: One of America's 10 Great Neighborhoods

Echo Park was just distinguished as one of the 10 great neighborhoods in America! As a longtime resident of Echo Park I already knew this, but it's great to be validated by the American Planning Association. I love, love living here. Here's what the APA has to say about my little neck of the woods - Angelino Heights.

"Angelino Heights near Echo Lake is the neighborhood's most picturesque area. More than 50 Victorian homes grace this historic district, which was established in 1983 as the city's first Historic Preservation Overlay Zone. One entire block of Angelino Heights, which also includes Craftsman-style bungalows, brownstones, and Streamline Moderne architecture, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places."

Gay Ninjas in Love

I made these Ninjas for my friend Michael and his longtime partner Clark. They will wed this weekend after 13 years together. Each ninja has the other's initial on his heart and they can hold hands thanks to some velcro.

I don't want to rant but it's about time they had the right to marry! If you are a California resident, please vote "no" on Proposition 8, which eliminates the right of same-sex couples to marry.

Read about Michael and Clark's story here.

Gay Wedding Bears

My sister commissioned these dolls for a gay couple getting married on Saturday. I personalized the bears by adding glasses to one and choosing their color based on their race. This interracial couple adopted a little boy that we wanted to include as well, so he's the ring "bear"er. Congratulations!


By the way, I only learned the following word last night:

gayby: a baby with 2 parents of the same gender

Andrew Rae

Last Saturday I attended the "Park Life" opening reception at Subliminal Projects Gallery in Echo Park. Of all the artists there, my favorite was Andrew Rae. His illustrations are fun, whimsical and current. Check out more of his work on his interactive Web site.

Celebrity siting: Sin City's Jaime King.

Anthony Goicolea

I love to craft but my first love is photography. One of my most favorite contemporary photographers/artist is Anthony Goicolea. His work features different staged scenes (usually within a series) where he portrays multiple characters. I think his work is technically and aesthetically flawless.

Tim Tams at the Landmark Theater

The Landmark Theater in Westwood must have the best concession ever! They have Pocky (Japanese biscuit sticks coated with chocolate), Hebrew National Hot Dogs (no disgusting fillers), pizza, vegan cookies and, best of all, Tim Tams! I first discovered Tim Tams last year on my first trip to Australia. The chocolate covered cookie is so addictive that I still think about its rich and delicious yumminess a whole year later. Check out the rest of the menu for other delights.

October: National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I went for my annual physical on Monday and during my breast exam the doctor found a mysterious lump. The doctor told me that it probably wasn't anything to worry about but she wanted to schedule a mammogram just to make sure it wasn't cancerous. How appropriate that it is now October: National Cancer Awareness Month. This year in particular I feel like cancer is all around me. My father was diagnosed with colon cancer in April and was successfully treated in May through surgery. Cancer has been in the news a lot recently because of actress Christina Applegate's double mastectomy at age 36 and Paul Newman's recent death from lung cancer. I'm waiting for my health insurance to approve the mammogram since I'm under age 40. Till then, I'm going to try my best not to worry about it.