31. Derby Dolls

I don't like watching sports. It just doesn't speak to me. The hype and energy one can feel from a live-game does not translate through the television screen, and I get bored. I typically don't love watching sports in general. One of my college roommates was on the Ice Hockey team. Going to the cold stadium, knowing all the players, and watching them hit or get hit, sent to the penalty box, score a goal, etc. was the first time I felt excited and interested at a sports game.

When I learned about Derby Dolls - tough women skating and knocking each other over, I kind of loved the idea, in a weird way. Men and women are always compared physically and athletically, and men always end up feeling empowered - that women aren't as ruthless, strong, or physically capable. So, Derby Dolls, to me, seemed to stand up to that stereotype and shove it back down in the ring where it belongs.

The Derby Doll arena is located in between Downtown and Echo Park. The night was a total event. Food trucks outside, a large souvenir shop, and tons of feisty people. When we first arrived, I got a slice of pizza from Garage Pizza - this is a restaurant located near my old apartment, and they were serving by the slice at the event. Great, thinly sliced, and flavorful. There was also a shaved ice truck - so I got a small serving of passionfruit and mango - refreshing!

Once inside, there is a large room adjacent to the stadium, which had a live band for after the game and during half-time. There were people selling food (one that I remember vividly was a cookie stand - and they did have samples and ingredients!) as well as alcoholic beverages, t-shirts infused with a kick-some-ass vibe, and other derby doll related paraphernalia (skull and cross bones t-shirts, jewelry, colorful socks and booty shorts, etc.) There was also a traditional store for straight up derby doll souvenirs - it's almost its own brand.

The actual game was really fun to watch. At first I didn't understand the rules, but once I got it - it was pretty exciting. The girls skate with agility and speed and cannot be afraid of getting hurt or possibly hurting others. I also liked how the girls used silly nicknames, typically anacronyms or puns, which were announced over the loud speaker after plays. There are two kinds of seating - actual benched seats and then "standing room only" which are risers for standing. We were in the standing room only, but we leaned on the railing and it was fine.

Here is a snippet of the game:

Overall, I had a great experience and would definitely go again if prompted. The crowd was lively, diverse, and friendly. The event was entertaining. And I love the message. It made me want to be tougher. I was happy to see that the players weren't dressed provocatively (because I thought they might be). While they were wearing short shorts, skorts, fishnets, and tight tops, it seemed more like fun athletic wear then anything to be sexualized. There were women of all shapes, sizes, orientations, etc. on the teams which was refreshing and positive. Even though I probably couldn't do what these women do (too much of a sensitive and fearful soul), it made me happy that there are women out there getting out their aggression in positive ways and showing that just because you have female anatomy does not mean you are not capable of being tough, getting bruises, falling down, shoving opposing teammates, and excelling at a competitive sport. WOMEN POWER!

Note: The whole evening was a bit pricey (but worth it) due to tickets, food/drink, parking (we parked at a $10 lot a block or two away), and any souvenirs if you want them.

Learn more and buy tickets here: http://derbydolls.com/la/

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Petit L'Ermitage

I've already discussed the calming, yet inspiring atmosphere of Petit L'Ermitage. But I thought I'd dedicate a smaller post just about the food. As mentioned, the breakfast in bed was seriously crave-worthy. I'm sad I might not ever experience their french toast again, or at least not in the near future. I am a french toast queen, and I dare-say the soft brioche bread was cooked perfectly. I ate my entire plate in about 10 minutes (and I think there were 3 or 4 pieces). I also ordered a strawberry banana smoothie that arrived chilled, in an aesthetically pleasing rounded glass, and with the perfect refreshing texture: icy and creamy.

I also dined at the pool deck on my last day there. I only ordered the mixed green salad and some french fries, but they managed to make them gourmet and delicious. The mixed green salad, was an array of multiple kinds of lettuce, and had a fresh, tasty dressing which seemed to consist of lemon juice, some type of vinagerette, and salt and pepper. The french fries almost had a crispy coating around the potato inside and were delicious by themselves or dipped in ketchup - Mmmm! I also had an iced tea, which was slightly fruit-tasting and while it wasn't sweet, it didn't need any added sugar.

30. Staycation at Petit L'Ermitage

This weekend my friend flew to LA and was staying at a hotel. This was the perfect chance for me to have a real staycation. Most of my staycations exist in my mind - I go to the nail salon and close my eyes during the two minute arm rub, and try to forget about the alcoholic smells, constant chatter, and the intermittent pandering: "only $5 more for...". Sometimes, I try to convince my friends to join in on a massage train (similar to what we did on the rug in Mrs. Klapper's third grade class), other times I savor a delectable dessert. But these moments of sanctuary are clearly not as relaxing as a full blown - get out of your house, sleep in a hotel, pretend you are somewhere else Staycation.

For the weekend, my friend chose to reside at the Petit L'Ermitage, a small hotel tucked away on a quiet street in West Hollywood. The building is surrounded by apartments and residences, nothing commercial - though it is walking distance from restaurants, coffee shops, and stores. The place is pretty much unnoticed unless you've done some internet research. The hotel's decor is very stimulating - boho chic, 40's hipster, mixed with a hint of foreign exotic flavor. The entrance smells of light incense, the room contains hardwood floors and furnishings, and an empty brown bird cage dangles from the ceiling. Old music resonates from a repurposed vitrola (using it's beautifully elegant, flower-like horn as a speaker to play tunes from modern equipment).

After checking in, we headed up the elevator. A man dressed in Sikh attire (turban and robe) greeted us and made sure we were guests of the hotel. I felt like little orphan Annie entering Daddy Warbuck's grand mansion, or the Little Princess after her cold attic room had been lavishly decorated by her kind Indian neighbor. We traveled up the elevator (which was not forgotten in the decoration process - wooden walls, ornate mirrors) to the third floor. The hotel has 4 floors, and on the rooftop there is a heated pool (which lights up at night), cabanas, interesting wicker chairs, a restaurant (outdoor and indoor seating), city view, and a fireplace. Pretty cool.

Our room was wonderful. The interior decoration was perfect - clean and simple, but colorful and memorable. The room had a queen sized bed, a bathroom with tub and shower (amazing water pressure), a little living area with couch, chair, dresser, fireplace, air conditioning, and a small patio/balcony. The bed was incredibly comfortable - the sheets were a ridiculously high thread count, and the hotel provided for quiet days and nights. The curtains were as good as my blackout curtains - they truly hid the light, allowing us to sleep in. Since we were on the third floor we heard a lot of footsteps and movements coming from the restaurant above us, but it was nothing to complain about. NOTE: Free wifi provided, as well as most cable channels (including HBO).

Some of my most staycation worthy moments:

1) Breakfast in bed - delectable, creamy french toast on brioche and a refreshing strawberry banana smoothie
2) A bath with lavender peppermint body wash
3) Robes and slippers - provided
4) Lounging and sipping iced tea at the rooftop pool on a large bed-type chair, with a warm, furry blanket given to me by the server when it got chilly.

I would highly highly recommend a staycation. I truly felt like I had escaped LA for a weekend. Because my car was in valet, I walked to restaurants - which I tend not to do too often here, lounged in a clutter-free room that wasn't full of dirty clothes and endless amounts of paper I have yet to file, and allowed myself to relax and be served. I would especially recommend staying at a hotel like Petit l'Ermitage. The staff was friendly, but not overly intrusive, and accommodating. The layout, services, and design have been thoroughly thought out to provide for a wonderful stay. And most importantly it's somewhat hidden from the outside world - a gem amidst the hustle and bustle of LA city life. I believe the dining is only for in-hotel customers, but you can give them a call and find out. If you are able to eat at the rooftop restaurant, I would recommend it - the food was very tasty and the view was sigh-worthy.

Learn more about it here: http://www.petitermitage.com/

29. Hollywood Farmer's Market

Every Sunday between 9AM-1PM, several main streets in Hollywood are blocked off for the weekly Farmer's Market.

We parked in the Arclight Parking lot (which is designated for this event), and then walked up to Sunset Boulevard where the market started - it was about 3 blocks in length.

Some of the booths included the typical farmer's market type fare (fresh fruit, vegetables, orchids/flowers, etc.), but there was also an assortment of less expected items. Fresh baked goods, an ice cream truck with gourmet ice cream (so good), a lobster stand, a bagel stand (I got an everything bagel with cream cheese for breakfast, and it was yummy!), a stand entirely comprised of different kinds of olives with fillings, hummus and pita, nuts and dried fruit, potted plants, herbs, and spices, jewelery, etc. The list goes on and on. One of the my favorite stands was owned by a woman who hand-crafted charming dolls out of fabric. On this particular day, many of the food trucks were also set up, as well as stands that served hot food.

The farmer's market was bustling, but not too crowded (we went around noon). The best part, to me, are the endless free samples of fresh goodies. Go! It's quite the pleasant Sunday activity.

SNEAKY TIP: We went into the Arclight and bought a couple things from the souvenir store, and then validated our parking, so it was only $2 or $3. But, it seemed easy enough to validate without having purchased anything.

Learn more about it here: http://www.hollywoodfarmersmarket.org/

28. Food Forward's Persimmon Pick in Sherman Oaks

I've been wanting to WWOOF for a while now. WWOOFING is essentially couch surfing but on a farm - for free room and food, volunteers help with daily maintenance (picking fruit, tilling soil, milking cows, etc.).

Because I am in enrolled in a full-time graduate program, it's hard to commit to a stay on a farm, especially since the closest to LA is about an hour away. So...instead, my friends and I volunteered through Food Forward's fruit picking service. On our specific day we picked persimmons in Sherman Oaks.

The organization goes to the backyards of private home owners who have abundant fruit trees. Then all of the fruit is donated to an organization that helps feed the less fortunate. My friends and I met in front of the Sherman Oaks house. The Persimmon tree was HUGE. We ended up filling 23 boxes, equalling over 900 pounds of persimmons and there were still a large amount hanging on the highest parts of the tree (where we couldn't reach).

There were seven of us total, including two people who worked for the program. Charles, the main organizer for the day, was very supportive and encouraging. We used ladders, fruit sacks, pickers (look kind of like lacrosse sticks), sheers: a whole array of gardening tools. It was a beautiful day so it was nice to be outside doing something good for humanity. It did get a bit tiring after a while, but we were only there for an hour and 1/2. After picking the fruit and boxing them, we raked the lawn of fallen leaves and split/rotten fruit, and carried the boxes to a large truck. This particular pick was going to a Jewish organization for those less fortunate, and some of the fruit was going towards a canning service through Food Forward, to help maintain freshness of the food.

I would definitely recommend volunteering with Food Forward. I might not do it again, because it is a bit strenuous (ha, I'm such a wimp), but apparently persimmons are a particularly stubborn pick (the fruits don't want to leave their mama tree!), but I definitely felt like I did a good deed for the week and it was really pleasant.

You can learn more about Food Forward here: http://foodforward.org/
I believe they have pickings once a week.

RESTAURANT REVIEW: The Apple Pan

The Apple Pan is a quaint old-timey diner that has even maintained its authentic, nostalgic architecture in the middle of bustling, always-under-construction Los Angeles. The little restaurant, hidden by the Westside Pavilion Shopping Center and the vast building and parking structure of The Guitar Center, is a true gem.

We were only stopping in for pie, but I've heard the burgers are excellent. We got some french fries and ketchup (delicious!), and banana cream pie. Oh wow was that pie delicious. The crust was a wonderful texture and taste, and the cream filling wasn't too sweet and was coupled with real banana slices. There were several other flavored pies I wanted to try, but was full from the 1/2 slice I'd just eaten.

I would definitely go back to try the other flavors and enjoy the general ambiance. The service was good too, and the man helping us was very friendly and attentive, especially with ensuring I get nut-free pie (due to my food allergy).

A+, Apple Pan, A+

You can learn more about The Apple Pan here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-apple-pan-los-angelesre

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Cacao Coffee House

I had a lovely Saturday night. Things were going quite well on my friend date. We ate a nice, large meal at Blue Plate on Montana, got dessert at Beachy Cream, spontaneously wandered over to the Santa Monica Pier where we played stupid carnival games (did not win) and took silly photos in a photo booth that smelled like urine. For a night cap, we decided to get tea. I knew Cacao is open til the wee hours and had past by it once before on my way to Cafe 50's. It was at this pit stop that the night got weird.

Upon entering, the guy at the front named Aaron (?) was extremely friendly. We chatted with him about who knows what. Shot the breeze, as they say. I ordered a "sleepytime" tea (typically a mixture of chamomile and peppermint - I drink a tea from trader joes with this name every night before bed, and it has more calming properties than sleep-inducing ones). He made a few comments, that at the time meant nothing, but looking back...could be interpreted differently. When I asked what the sleepytime tea had in it he said "Don't worry, it'll knock you out". The sleepytime tea box (which one would assume held the tea-bags) was the Celestial brand, not the best, but one I've had before. My friend asked to be surprised, but she didn't want something caffeinated. He said he'd make her a "red bowl" (not sure why it was named this) and told her it was "special".

Then I went to the bathroom. Big mistake. When I got back our teas were on the counter, waiting for us. Neither one of us had watched the preparation - why would we watch tea get made you ask? Keep reading, cowboy.

Upon first taste the red bowl was amazing, it was chamomile tea and soymilk infused with honey. We chatted some more, for about 15 minutes, allowing our drinks to cool, and then we started to drink our tea. At this point Aaron made his way outside to chat up some other customers, leaving us alone.

After about 20 minutes of drinking our tea, I felt very tired. Kind of like it just hit me. My friend told me that she felt weird, all of a sudden. We both started panicking. We felt stoned. We got up and left, leaving the tea where it was. I went up to Aaron and asked if he'd put anything in our tea and he angrily defended his product.

We sat in the car laughing at what was happening. Was our tea laced with some sort of marijuana honey? What the heck! Now, the logical side of me, says this can't be. Maybe we were just tired, run down from a long day, we both got hit with fatigue at the same time, and due to anxiety and adrenaline caused by the situation, we felt stoned (the power of suggestion - I was tired --> my friend tells me she feels drugged --> I freak out and convince myself I'm stoned too). However, I sincerely cannot deny that feeling I had - the laughter at things that aren't funny, the tingling hands and lips, and slow, heavy, confused, out of body feeling = all things I've experienced from marijuana...but also can be caused by plain and simple anxiety. Very hard to tell. My friend, however, is convinced our drinks were laced with something.

After we got into sweats, climbed into my bed, and watched old home videos of me, we started to feel better. I believe it took me about 30 to an hour to feel like myself, and my friend a little longer.

I don't want to rate this coffee place, because I can't do so accurately. The red bowl drink tasted amazing, but the side effects were very undesirable. The place is open late, but you will be judged by hipster coffee junkies that sit in grungy clothes at the tables on the sidewalk. I thought Aaron was a cool guy, but maybe he is too cool. I don't know. Very weird experience, and I will not be going back. If you go, you might have the same experience we did, or have a pleasant experience drinking tea that doesn't do anything aside sooth your aching throat or warm you up on a cold day.

Learn more about Cacao here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/cacao-coffee-house-los-angeles
(NOTE: I could not find any yelp reviews suggesting a similar experience).

27. Dodger Game + Friday Night Fireworks

Root, root, root for the DODGERS...if they don't win it's a shame....

Friday night I went to the Dodger game (Dodgers vs. Rockies) at the Dodger stadium in downtown Los Angeles. I'm not an avid baseball fan by any means. I wanted to go for the experience and mostly, for the Friday night Fireworks which are a legitimate firework show and hailed as one of the best.

The actual dodger game was mostly fun due to the company I was with. We got our tickets on goldstar for about $12 and boy were they bad seats. We were at the top of the rafters, but still, miraculously had a fairly decent view of the field. Some moments of the game were really fun to watch, but for the most part, we sat and talked and ate bad stadium food (wouldn't recommend the dodger dog, honestly). The Dodgers were killing the Rockies, so the suspense was pretty meager.

After the game (Dodgers won 7-1), the field became flooded with people (a literal sea of people) ready to watch the fireworks. Due to the potential hazards and claustrophobia of being surrounded on all sides by dozens of bodies, we elected to stay in the rafters - though we moved down several rows, as the stadium cleared.

The firework show was spectacular (and I rarely use that word). It lasted a long amount of time, and the fireworks were actually pretty invasive, as they were so huge. They also had some interesting shapes I hadn't seen before - flowers, hearts, and one that made the sky look as though it were filled with sparkling stars. The fireworks show was timed to Frank Sinatra songs (a dedication to a former famous dodger who loved Frank Sinatra), so the environment was fairly romantic and nostalgic. I'd never seen a firework show coupled with music, and I really liked it. The show lasted about 4 Sinatra songs and was the highlight of the evening and my weekend.

Friday Fireworks are over now, but if the stadium ever offers fireworks again, I would highly recommend going. It's a great addition to the night.

26. Hillel Rosh Hashanah Service

I'm Jewish. Not Jewish, but Jew-ish. Although I am born into a family of Jewish faith, my mom says we come from a line of atheists. I don't know what I am. I try not to think about why this earth was formed and created and what will happen after death, because I think this is something none of us truly know the answer to, and I'd, personally, rather not spend my life trying to answer or solve the mystery. I'd rather just live.

Aside from the religious aspects, I do feel tied to the Jewish culture and most Jewish people. When I find out someone is Jewish, I automatically feel some sort of connection to them due to many overarching values and general qualities most Jewish people have. I have recently decided that I'd like to learn more about religion, from a curiosity stand-point, and also to fuel a script I'm writing about a young Jewish girl in Brownsville during the 1950's.

USC's student body consists of a fairly large Jewish population, (not that many are in the film school, oddly enough...at least not in the MFA program) and thus has several Jewish clubs, etc. I decided to attend a Hillel Rosh Hashanah service with my friend, to see what it was all about. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, which is followed by Yom Kippur, a time to reflect and atone for one's sins and come up with resolutions (from what I know, anyway).

The service was on Tuesday afternoon (and most services were held Monday which was the first day of Rosh Hash). The Hillel was fairly empty and the Rabbi was young and affable. It almost felt more like a classroom setting, which I kind of enjoyed. The service consisted of readings from the Torah, audience participation (the Rabbi asked attendants questions about the Jewish faith, etc.), a small, inspirational speech by the head of the Jewish Studies at USC (a very endearing older gentleman), the passing around of the Torah, and the blowing of the Shofar (a ram's horn).

After the service was over, brunch was served - bagels and lox (of course), manichevitz, challah, fruit, etc. And people chatted.

I still felt like an outsider, while I was there. I hadn't gone to temple since I was 12 years old (and promptly stormed out b/c that was my disbelief in God phase, and besides what kid liked to go to temple anyway? I was already at the age where my main goal in life was to find a cute boy, and after diligently scanning the rows of seats to find there weren't any...what was really the point of being there? ha). As we were leaving Hillel, the Rabbi and Head of Jewish Studies both said "Happy New Year" to me in Hebrew, but I couldn't get myself to say it back. I felt like it wouldn't be authentic, like I'd be lying or pretending I was something I'm not.

Overall, it was an interesting experience. What I liked about the service were some of the inspirational quotes from the Torah and some inspirational things the Rabbi said. It made me feel renewed and as if I had an added sense of purpose in my own life - it felt like a new beginning. However, because religious practice is not something I was raised with or something that comes naturally to me, it did feel kind of like a class with subject matter that wasn't really my cup of tea. Would I go again? Probably not, unless it was more of a social gathering or a way to meet fellow students. A big part of my personal Jewish experience is the warmth and family-feel of the culture, so I would love to participate in activities or events more geared towards that and less towards tradition and religion.

In the service, I was struck by something that I often think about. There are many rituals, even down to the clothes you can wear (men must wear kippas and a shawl - I'm forgetting the Hebrew word for it now), and it makes me wonder why people still commit to these rituals. Is it for a sense of tradition? Is it due to something that's been ingrained since childhood? Is it something done without thinking? Or is there a specific purpose for the adherence of traditional rituals, and if so what is gained from it? These are all questions that came to me, while simply looking at the back of a man's head (specifically at his yarmulke).

It is these questions that keep me from a solid religious or faith-based practice. I don't like to do things or participate in things unless I truly know why I am committing specific actions. Religion goes so far back into history and is such a huge facet of society that is still very confusing to me. I might want to explore further, or maybe I'll just stick to eating bagels on my own time.

Learn more about Hillel USC here: uschillel.org/

25. Bootie LA

Bootie LA is a dance/theme party at the Echoplex in Echo Park. The event is known for its crazy mash-ups and DJ re-mixes.

My friend and I went for the "Back to School" theme party. The event called for naughty school girl and nerdy boy outfits, crazy mash-ups, battle of the vjs, photo booth, and a dance troupe. We didn't get there til after 11 PM so we might have missed some of the events.

If you arrive before 10, you get half off tickets, so $6 versus $12. I would highly recommend getting there early, because when we got there it was definitely full, so it would have been just as fun an hour earlier, and cheaper. Upon arrival we were greeted by the "photo booth," which in actuality is a man with a camera and a fish eye lens in front of a station. The station was school themed - there was a chalkboard, rulers, chalk, a desk, etc. I was a bit bashful, but the photographer was kind of nice and helped us make some cool poses. It was somewhat awkward because people kept walking by and staring (unlike what happens in a normal photobooth - privacy!)

There were a lot of people dancing, scantily clad dancers and a dj on the stage, disco-esque lights, the whole nine yards. I really liked that most of the dancers were men and women in outrageous, sparkly costumes. It was refreshing and in opposition to all the Hollywood bars which have women dancing sexually in lingerie (I've noticed that when this happens, most of the men in the bar/club just stand there and watch...and it's creepy. This was different because the dancers were hyping up the crowd and everyone else was dancing. There was no ogling, at least not to my knowledge). There were two bars, and an outdoor area (mostly for smoking, but also getting fresh(?) air). The bathroom attendants had candy stations, and my friend and I were given lollipops, which kind of played with the whole school/kid theme.

Overall the event was really fun. It was upbeat, had a non-hollywood crowd, which is a plus in my opinion (it was very diverse in terms of age/gender/sexual orientation/ethnicity, but was mostly heterosexual mid 20's peeps). There were two downsides, in my opinion. While the mash-ups were really fun and flowed together very naturally, I thought there would be more 90's songs due to the theme. Britney Spears was on the cover of the ad for the event, so I thought we'd be jamming to mash-ups of Britney, N'Sync, Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, etc., but it was mostly current songs or songs from a few years ago, and some indie pop/rock songs I'd never heard before. It was also extremely hot - which most clubs are, I suppose. We found a huge fan located near one of the bars, and kind of danced in front of it and stationed ourselves there for most of the night.

I would highly recommend Bootie for a night out - they have events twice a month. Oh - and I would also recommend getting valet - that area can be a bit sketchy, and not particularly safe for walking multiple blocks just to save five bucks.

Learn more about Bootie here: http://bootiemashup.com/la/

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Sugarfish

Sugarfish is the perfect name for this Japanese gem of a restaurant. The fish is so fresh and delicious that the diner does not need to douse it in sauce for taste. Sugarfish is located throughout the city. I went to the one on San Vicente. They have free 2 hour parking in the lot just outside of the small restaurant.

Once inside, it was crowded, and we had a 20 minute wait. But it was definitely worth it. Sugarfish is a niche restaurant that caters to the authentic Japanese cuisine experience. The chef prepares mostly raw sushi and sashimi (a couple rolls which include crab, are cooked). The restaurant purposefully excludes any rolls that are Americanized such as tempura rolls, philadelphia rolls, etc. Similar to Father's Office, you are not allowed to ask for additional or different types of sauce. The chef prepares the food the way it should be eaten, coupled with the "correct" sauce and garnishes. 

When I went I ordered an iced green tea (it was the real stuff, it wasn't from a tea bag), edamame, which were boiled and salted, a cucumber roll (silly, I know - but it was THE BEST cucumber roll I'd ever had - the rice was sticky and somewhat sweet, and the ingredients were extremely fresh), Tuna sushi (so fresh and delicious!), and Yellowtail sushi (perfectly cut slices and melted in my mouth). My friend ordered a special (where you are presented with each roll/course right after the other, based on chef recommendations), and I tried some of her blue fin tuna handroll, which was also very tasty. 

I've gone back a couple times since then to get the sushi to go (they have a special to go menu, namely items that won't get soggy - so no handrolls). I ordered the blue fin cut roll to go, and all the same things I'd had before. I have to admit the fish didn't taste as good "to go" versus in the restaurant. The cucumber roll, was amazing and weirdly filling. 

The design and ambiance of the restaurant is cool, a bit trendy, but mostly traditional. The way they present the food is clean, sleek, and modern, as well as the way they package their to go orders. If you order "to go" the sushi comes in a paper bento box, separating each item with the appropriate sauce, ginger, and wasabi. It also comes with a small index card describing how to best eat the sushi and the sauce it comes with. 

This restaurant gets an A+ from me. I will certainly go back and try different dishes. Another added bonus for me personally: on the menu it says to alert your waiter or waitress of any food allergies. This added awareness provides for a comfortable dining experience for food allergy sufferers. 

You can learn more about Sugarfish here: http://www.sugarfishsushi.com/

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Fresh Juice: Pressed Juicery and Juice Crafters

So, I was super sick for most of August. It was, needless to say, a pretty miserable experience. In an attempt to get better, I tried to go the holistic, organic route and imbibe as many healthy remedies as possible. Naturally, I decided to get some fresh squeezed juice.

I tried two places, both located in Brentwood:

The first was Pressed Juicery in the shopping center off of 26th Street and San Vicente. It's literally a hole in the wall. Not a store. It looks kind of like a large closet. Two people work behind the counter, and there is a refrigerator with all their juices. They have a ton of different options, including a very expensive juice cleanse (lasts several days). I bought two juices: Pineapple/Pear/Ginger/Mint and the Alkalizer (apple, lemon, extra ginger, cayenne - meant to help you when you are sick). The first one was pretty delicious, but almost tasted alcoholic, the second one was super spicy and cleared my sinuses! The ingredients are literally just those ingredients...nothing else. They have many green options, as well. I know this isn't necessarily relevant, but I loved the way they package the bottles - it looks very simple and clean. The only downside is the price.

Juice Crafters was the second place I tried. It's also located on San Vicente, but more east. This place presses the juice while you are there in a huge machine. They also serve pre-bottled drinks. Here, I ordered beet, lemon, apple, ginger juice fresh squeezed. It was pretty piece-y and it wasn't cold, since it was fresh pressed. I also had about 3 hours to drink it in order to enjoy the benefits. I asked what the difference was between fresh pressed and pre-bottled, and the man who worked there almost made it seem that it was better to drink the pre-bottled, because they have a longer shelf-life. Kind of confusing. I also got a lemon ginger cayenne shot. The shot was not as spicy as I thought it'd be and they gave me a delicious fresh strawberry as my chaser. I was nervous that my throat would be on fire, so the woman who pressed the juices did the shot with me. This place was about the same price...expensive.

Overall, I preferred the taste and ease of the Pressed Juicery. I liked that Juice Crafters had interesting shots and more options. I'd go back to Pressed Juicery for juice and Juice Crafters for a pick-me-up shot. But since I've gotten healthy (note: I did not get better from the juice haha...it took many more weeks to improve, and an inhaler), I haven't felt the need to spend that much money on juice, though I could definitely see myself going back at some point to feel healthy :)

Learn more here: http://www.pressedjuicery.com/ and/or http://www.juicecrafters.com
You can buy your own juice presser here: SamsonGreen WELLESPRESS Welles or Peoples Juice Press (Google Affiliate Ad)

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Fresh Brothers

Fresh Brothers is a pizza joint, basically next to Mulberry Pizza...which seems odd. Fresh Brothers tries to compete by giving out small pizza samples outside and near their store to lure in potential customers. This tactic worked on my friend and we went inside to eat.

I ordered a "create your own salad" and a personal pepperoni pizza. The salad was tasty - not gourmet, but had a lot of ingredients and I liked the vinaigrette. The pizza, on the other hand, was mediocre. I got the thin crust style, and maybe if I'd gotten thick crust it would have been better.

You know how when you put a frozen pizza in the oven, the bottom of the pizza dough kind of tastes cardboardy? Just not softy and fluffy? That's kind of how this pizza tasted. The flavors were good, but the texture was not amazing.

I feel sort of ambivalent about this place. It's cheap, you order and then you get your food in a quick, easy way, and it's pretty good. Mulberry's was much better in terms of taste and ingredients, but either one should satisfy a pizza craving.

Learn more here: http://www.freshbrothers.com
Make your own pizza using "Pizzazz Pizza Maker Oven" (Google Affiliate Ad)

MOVIE REVIEW: Ted

Well...this post should be interesting, seeing as how I saw Ted about 3 months ago. From what I remember, the premise was very intriguing and had a lot of potential for laughter and fun. I especially loved the fairytale, storybook beginning which had a real sense of childhood magic and a male narrator. Smash cut to: the grubby, drug-induced, sex-crazed "real" life reality of Ted as an adult. I liked the juxtaposition between little Ted and adult Ted - he really lost his innocence. He went from a sweet cuddly bear to one with matted fur, a gruff voice and a deafening boston accent.

I do think, however, that the story could have been even more creative. There were a lot of crude jokes, but I think that Seth could have played more with Ted being a teddy bear - like what comical scenarios would apply only because he is a stuffed animal? It was a buddy story about a guy who is attached to his friend, and this bromance gets in the way of his romantic relationship. It was less about a guy who is friends with a TEDDY BEAR. I thought this glaring concept could have been a bit more cleverly woven into the story.

Overall, it was funny, light, interesting, and enjoyable to watch. The animation of Ted was so well done, I loved small details like his fur ruffling when he moved, and I thought the general design of Ted was great - he is adorable. I could have done without the ending though. Ted dies and then is magically brought back to life through a wish (seems too easy), and then he continues to live with the couple. I just think that's a weird message.

The whole movie is about a man and his teddy bear, symbolic for a man not being able to let go of his childhood or innocence completely. I think the moral should have been, that at some point, you need to let go of the past in order to move forward as a real adult. No woman, with any self-esteem or confidence, would let their husband's best friend live with them for the rest of their lives. It's weird. I would have much preferred an ending where Ted marries that ditzy Blonde girl he dated or some other female (human or otherwise) and moved in next door, something to that effect. And yeah, the fact that all Mila Kunis needed to do was wish that Ted would be alive again, was disappointing in terms of creative means to an end.

Aside from these issues, the movie was entertaining and I'd recommend it for an easy viewing night. I realize it's not supposed to be analyzed and critiqued. It's not a cinematic masterpiece, but instead a funny look into the life of a grown up teddy bear, his antics, and his best friend.
Your own life-size teddy bear: 

Learn more about Ted here: http://www.tedisreal.com/

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Arclight Cafe

The Arclight Cafe is situated in the lobby of the Arclight Movie Theatre in Hollywood. I'd often passed it, wondering if the food was any good, so when my friends wanted to eat there before the midnight screening of The Master, I was game.

We were seated right away, which was unexpected, as there were many people there. But, it looked like most were gathered around the bar, getting their drink on before the big showing.

I ordered the calamari and a spinach salad. The calamari was really good (crisp and full of flavor) and a good sized portion for the price. It was also mostly the rings and not the little squids, which I definitely prefer. The spicy marina sauce was tasty, but they didn't give enough of it. The spinach salad had spinach, strawberries, goat cheese, and a balsamic vinagerette. The dressing was really good, but the salad, while huge, was mostly just spinach leaves (not an equal or happy ratio of strawberries to leaves to cheese). It was way overpriced, I think it was $14, just for the salad.

Also, once the crowd started to pick up, the waiter rarely came to check up on us at our table (he did a good job of refilling water, but he didn't ask how we were doing or if we needed anything), which I'm assuming is due to the fact that it was fairly packed.

Overall, I would recommend the cafe if you are really hungry and want to get to the theatre close to your scheduled viewing. I wouldn't go out of your way to eat here, mostly because it's pretty pricey for what it is. Though, nevertheless, what I ordered was quite tasty!

Learn more about it here: https://www.arclightcinemas.com/locations/los-angeles/hollywood/showtimes?origin=hollywood

MOVIE REVIEW: The Master

So...not to be unempathetic...but...you know those homeless people you see on the street? The ones who are definitely suffering from some sort of psychosis? The ones with unfortunate hygiene and blankness behind their eyes? The ones who are withdrawing from an addiction or maybe are still addicted, itching for their next fix? These people can be a bit frightening, because they are desperate (as anyone would be without money or food or shelter or clothes), but also because they mutter to themselves, or sometimes it's screaming at others who exist or don't. They "see" and "hear" things that are most likely created in their minds. Well...it just so happens that PTA took one of those people you pass on the streets and made him the protagonist of The Master.

Joaquin Phoenix, though very committed to his character and successfully transformed, was a fairly unlikeable, unappealing lead, who we didn't truly get to know over the course of the film. We weren't shown what was happening under the surface, which might have made him more interesting and likeable. Most of his jokes revolved around sex and degrading women. In fact, his first few lines were "You know how to get rid of crabs? Shave one of your balls...then when the crabs go onto the other ball, burn em off!" He then proceeded to fuck a sand woman - that's right, a woman that had been carved out of sand. While his crass sense of humor and outrageousness was amusing and had some grit, it was also just really unpleasant. And this low-class gentleman was the character we followed throughout the film; he was the one we were supposed to relate to. At one point, Philip Seymour Hoffman's character (who I found much more interesting and multi-faceted), called Freddie Quell (Phoenix) an animal...and that's exactly what he was. He was pretty one-dimensional, resembling human nature at its lowest form: he was overwrought with sexuality, violence, and aggression. Oh, and he was an alcoholic. That's pretty much it. However, we never really explored what lead him to feel or behave this way. There were hints of PTSD from serving in the navy, but it wasn't fleshed out enough for us to understand. Hoffman's character grills Freddie in one scene, and we learn facts about Freddie's past, but it doesn't evoke empathy, understanding, or interest in his current state of mind.

I think the film would have been much more interesting if we followed the journey and struggle of The Master (Hoffman). He is a man and a leader, who tries to change people's way of thinking. It would have been interesting, to me, to understand his desires for making this faith-based organization, The Cause. We see a little bit of his anger at people who don't believe, but it would have been great to really feel his discouragement, frustration, or inspiration along with him.

The movie was also kind of confusing in parts...and not in the suspenseful, I want to figure this out, puzzle kind of way. Based on the editing, or improper storytelling, I didn't really understand how Freddie and the Master even came together. All of a sudden Freddie was on a boat being welcomed by Lancaster Dodd (Hoffman). I wasn't sure if Freddie snuck on, or if he got a job as a seaman. It was unclear, and that bothered me. Also, near the end, Hoffman sings A Slow Boat to China, a song that has not been mentioned in the movie thus far, and I just couldn't figure out the significance. It seemed fairly random and quite frankly, pretty damn awkward. Lastly, Lancaster tells Freddie that they've met somewhere before, and in the end he tells some story about them working together in Prussia, and I couldn't tell if he was being serious or if it was some story he'd imagined up (since reaching into "the imagination" was part of his theory for happiness and freedom). Because of these small details, it was hard for me to sink my teeth into their relationship - where it stemmed from and what it meant to each of them.

What I liked about the film was the cinematography and the look. The shots were, of course, very cinematic (well composed, well lit, eyegasmic framing, beautiful color palette, etc.) and I especially loved the sweeping, airy flashbacks to when Freddie pursued his 16 year old love. Yep, 16.  Sidenote: Freddie sleeps with several seemingly normal women in the film, and I found it weird that anyone would want to be intimate or sexual with this guy...kind of baffling...and yeah the love of his life was much younger than him. Creepy. I also liked the interweaving of flash backs, reality, and different story lines. I thought the acting was engaging and well thought out, but it was also a bit over done. The performances felt almost theatrical - just very over the top characters with intensely honed, distinct traits - no subtlety, really. Phoenix contorted his face and hunched his back for the character, and while I respected his thoughtfulness and commitment, the choices were so glaringly obvious. Lastly, I thought it was interesting to watch some of the methods Lancaster/The Master used on his subjects - the hypnosis, the questions, the exercises. We were watching an eccentric, experimental therapist trying to understand people's psyches, so we tried to understand along with him.

My main problem with this movie, was a similar issue that I had with The Tree of Life. The movie is in love with itself. The close ups last way too long, and many of the shots are transparently trying to show oscar-winning performances or something of profundity. I find profound moments in small truthful performances or a subtle, realistic exchange between characters, not a close-up for 15 minutes of a man trying not to cry, and then one lone tear trickles down his face. It's just too much, and the goal is so obvious. The movie also lasted 2 and 1/2 hours. I never felt antsy or anxious to leave, and it did hold my attention, since it was a strong character study, but I didn't leave the theatre feeling moved or changed or inspired. The 2 1/2 hours just kind of passed, and then I wanted to get home to sleep.

I would only recommend The Master because it's not the typical kind of film you see in theaters these days, and I think it's always good to watch different ways of story-telling to broaden one's mind. But, overall, I wouldn't recommend the movie...for the reason I stated above. I was not moved. I did not feel. I did not care. And that, for me, means the film was not successful.

Learn more about it here: http://www.themasterfilm.com/
Some PTA related products:
Books:
Paul Thomas Anderson by Root, Colin [Paperback] (Google Affiliate Ad)
Paul Thomas Anderson (Google Affiliate Ad)
Blurays:
N01-0128678 Magnolia Blu-ray - DVD (Google Affiliate Ad)
Inet Video N01-0115597 Punch-Drunk Love Single Disc Edition DVD (Google Affiliate Ad)

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Mulberry Street Pizza

Nom nom nom. Mulberry Street Pizza was delicioso! This review will be short and savory, just like Mulberry's food. My friend and I stopped into the little pizza shop in Beverly Hills (though there are multiple locations). I ordered a slice of mushroom pizza and we shared a chopped salad. Both were extremely fresh tasting and gourmet for a good price and a quaint spot. The salad wasn't the usual cheap salad you would expect: iceberg lettuce, a few onion strings, and some cucumber slices. Instead, it had a variety of lettuce and a multitude of other garnishes and veggies. Very tasty. The pizza slice was thin and generous and not too oily. Mmmm. I want to go back pronto!

Learn more about Mulberry Street Pizza here: http://mulberrypizzeria.com/

24. Show at Barre - For the Record: PT Anderson

Show at Barre is a dinner entertainment experience located in Los Feliz area at the Rockwell. The evening provided me with an amalgam of feelings. Let's start it off...

I purchased my tickets online. Since it's a spectacle/musical show, the tickets cost around $20, but through a Goldstar discount, I got my seat for $15. When I arrived, I had to pay $10 for valet, as well. I arrived to the table where my friends were seated. The layout of the restaurant is as follows...booths, stools, tall tables, dining tables, and a large square-shaped empty space in the middle for the actors (though they do weave in and out amongst the tables). We had a table situated right behind a large column, so sometimes it was hard to see, but all the tables had blind spots.

Once I got there, I was given a menu, and apparently there were specific items you had to purchase, which was not advertised clearly in the ticket sales. I understood that since it was a dinner show, that dinner would be available, but I didn't know that it was mandatory (and the selections were specific - for example, you couldn't get two appetizers, you had to get one entree ($20 each) and one other item). This was also true for drinks. Luckily and not so luckily, none of us at my table knew about this rule, and each asked the waiter individually to explain the rules. Because we are all outspoken independent females, I think he was frustrated and put off, and he even told me that I didn't have to get anything if I didn't want to...so I didn't. I ordered a sprite, and that was it. The whole show was a bit uncomfortable because he kept coming to the table to see if we wanted to order more, and I had to ignore him so as not to indulge in the discomfort. On the bright side, I didn't have to spend any money on food I wouldn't eat (I stupidly had dinner before the show!).

So that's a summation of the environment. As for the actual show, most of the performers had beautiful singing voices, some even awe-inspiring. My personal favorite was Von Smith, who was just on the TV Show Opening Act, opening for Lady Gaga. He also has a ton of other musical notches on his belt, as did the rest of the cast. This evening's show was a PT Anderson revue. The performers acted small scenes from Anderson's movies including There Will Be Blood, Magnolia, and mostly focusing on Boogie Nights. The show consisted of small scenes and many musical numbers from the soundtrack of these movies. It was very fun, lively, and well-performed. It was, however, extremely sexual (since it focused on Boogie Nights). The evening consisted of humping the air dance-moves, faux blow jobs, and fake sex...to name a few of the "interesting" stunts.

What disturbed me the most was discovering that one of the lead female performers was only 16 years old. As soon as I learned of this minor (pun intended) detail, I could not forget it. Juliette Goglia, though extremely talented, would be a sophomore or junior in high school, and yet she was dancing around in booty shorts and a bra, saying phrases like "don't cum in my mouth", and having fake sex in front of dozens of on-lookers. I scanned the crowd during some of her dance scenes, and noticed the older gentlemen in the crowd ogling her body. It was really disturbing. I just didn't think it was appropriate for someone that age to be involved in this kind of show. It seemed like poor judgement. When I was 16, I only cared about getting my driver's license, giggling and prank calling with my girlfriends, and the shy boy in class who I would pass notes too. It just seemed like this girl was going to grow up too soon and become the next Lindsay Lohan - downward spiral.

If I hadn't known her age, I would have been less distracted by my moral stances and more able to fully enjoy the show. I'd recommend it only if you have ample money (because it turned out to be an expensive night), and want to enjoy a different theatrical experience with talented performers. The downsides, in my opinion, include the price, the neck craning (around the columns, etc.), and the crudeness. Show at Barre presents other directors and I'm wondering if the cinematic subject matter would alter the performances, as well. Overall, I enjoyed the show, but the experience in totem was a little uncomfortable.

You can buy tickets here: http://showatbarre.inticketing.com/events and learn more about the venue here: http://www.rockwell-la.com/

23. Trivia Night at Casting Office

I'm pretty bad at trivia. I'm just not one for facts. There are certain people that'll pull out a random fact in awkward silences or certain situations to add to conversation...I am not one of those people. I can't even think of one random fact off the top of my head. I don't research biographies of people, watch or follow any sport teams, read blogs - you get the picture. When I was invited to Trivia Night on Tuesdays at The Casting Office, in Studio City, I thought it'd be fun regardless of my ineptitude.

I'd been to one trivia night before, but came late and just sort of watched. So this would be a new experience for me.

Trivia night started at 8 PM, but I arrived at 9 due to traffic (I was still able to participate despite my tardiness). The area of the bar where trivia was held was the size of a large room. People were scattered at tables and counters in groups ranging from 3 people to about 8. The teams each had their own selected team name (my personal favorite was "Ignorant Sluts"), and had about 5 pieces of paper for the answers.

One older gentleman ran the trivia questions, and asked them over a microphone. He also announced the scores after each round, so everyone knew who was at the top, and who was dangling at the bottom. The winners got a free round of drinks (I think...yeesh, shoulda paid closer attention...but it was about the game, not the prize!)

Some of the trivia themes included types of food, answers to random questions ranging from movie characters, sports teams, etc. all equalling one cohesive mystery theme, actors who have starred in biopics and the character they portray, and based on a series of facts - one famous person. I thought having a degree in Critical Studies in Cinema would make me an asset on the biopic trivia questions...but alas, I think I only knew one answer that my partners did not know.

What I liked most was the ability to talk over the answers with the rest of your team. I guess I assumed it'd be like Family Feud or something, where one person answers one question without help. I do wish I had known more facts so I could have contributed more, but I still had a good time. That competitive feeling you get as a child, playing monopoly or other inconsequential board games, still exists on Trivia Night!

Check out the yelp reviews here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-casting-office-bar-and-grill-universal-city#query:Trivia%20Night

There are other trivia nights scattered around town at bars, that I might want to try, as well. I've heard the one at Fox and Hounds is fun...

MOVIE REVIEW: Hope Springs

"Cut! Cut!" I said, as I watched Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones having cinema sex. I wanted that horrifying image to leave the screen ASAP. Maybe it's just me, maybe I'm an agist or unempathetic or in denial, but I don't want to see older people "making love" in the movies. Old women are meant to bake chocolate chip cookies and offer warm milk, and old men are meant to be crotchety and tell war stories. That's how I see the elder generation, and I'd like them to stay that way in the movies.

I understand the merit of Hope Springs. We live in a culture (of which I am obviously influenced) where youth and beauty are worshiped, while older people are left out to dry. The media is geared toward younger generations, and therefore make a subconscious or unconscious or maybe even conscious comparison between youth and sex. We never see older people having sex in the movies, and when we do it's something to be ridiculed.

Hope Springs attempts to show the real problems of an older married couple who are too comfortable and have lost that spark in their relationship. Unfortunately for me and my eyes, it was much more centered around the couple's lack of sex life...and not just problems in their everyday relationship. Essentially all their problems reduced to the fact that they were not physically intimate.

I think the casting is also a bit off. Steve Carell is known for his comedic roles, so I assumed the therapist (the character he played) would be comical. He wasn't. But it wasn't a serious dramatic role either. I kept thinking some gag or joke was about to happen, but Carell played the mediocre part with seriousness. It was just awkward. It was a dramedy, but there wasn't enough drama or enough comedy. It was just kind of there. In filmic genre purgatory. Blah.

Picture this: Steve Carell seriously asking Meryl Streep if she fantasizes about sex and what her darkest desires are. Then: a dolly shot into Meryl's face, a close up, as she giggles sheepishly and divulges...That's not supposed to be funny. Can you believe it? The lack of humor resulted in me and my friend squirming with discomfort in our theatre seats.

I kept wanting the scenes to be cut earlier (hence my screaming at the screen). It was just too much...and of course the ending was predictable. Maybe if Tommy Lee Jones left his wife, Meryl Streep, for his young secretary and Meryl Streep moved out and ended up on a bad online dating streak...then I'd believe it. But no...of course they end up having sex and being "in love" again...and we got to watch them masturbate, fantasize, and awkwardly date until they got to that predictable point. Lucky us! (sarcasm).

While we were in the theatre, I noticed that the older female crowd (50+) enjoyed the movie quite a bit. I heard a lot of laughing. While the story seemed unrealistic and unidentifiable to me, maybe I'm just an ignorant mid 20's gal who knows nothing of a long-lasting, committed relationship. It seemed like the portrayed relationship might have rang true to many of the women in the audience (and maybe the men?).

I wouldn't recommend Hope Springs either way. While I respect the attempt to make sex amongst older people less taboo, the movie wasn't really successful. I think if the sexual aspect of the relationship was more subtle it might have eased the younger audience into the idea, but instead the movie was ALL ABOUT SEX. And it was just uncomfortable.

I might recommend it to people in a similar situation to the protagonist, 50-70 year old women who are in a marriage rut. But then again, I can't be sure it rings true for that audience either...Meeehhh.

Learn more about Hope Springs here: http://www.hopesprings-movie.com/ You've been warned.

22. Flash Mob - Rehearsals and Performance

My friend sent me a video of his friend's marriage proposal. The groom-to-be did not just get down on one knee. Instead, dancers and a marching band broke out in song and dance around the oblivious gal, before her man popped the big question. A flash mob. Nice.

Apparently flash mobs are becoming more and more popular as a means of proposing and just for general merriment. The first time I'd really seen a flash mob was on the television show: Modern Family (great show, by the way). On the show, two of the characters are at the mall, and suddenly one of them breaks off into dance as part of a Flash Mob. He'd said he'd been working late, when really he'd been rehearsing.

I'd heard about flash mobs just here and there, but never seen one in real life. It kind of reminded me of high school, when my friend and I wanted so badly to live in a musical reality, that for one whole day, every time we saw each other we sang instead of spoke, and made up dances. It was super dorky but obviously super fun.

I decided to become part of a flash mob. After doing some internet research, I found Flash Mob West LA on Meetup.com. There were tons of mobs, almost one every weekend. I found the one that interested me the most...Mary Poppins themed!

First was the rehearsal (there are several, but they recommend you attend two). Well actually, first I watched the training video, and tried to familiarize myself with the steps. Then I drove to a park in Studio City where our first meeting was.

When I drove by the area, I thought "what have I got myself into". Literally. I thought that. I might have even said that out loud as I drove past the four or five scattered people dancing in the grass. I parked my car, and watched for a minute. There were about ten people at this point. According to Meetup, over 100 people had signed up to do the Flash Mob. I was confused, but I had driven all the way there, so I took a deep breath, and exited the car.

I was a bit trepidatious about doing a flash mob alone. It seemed like a really fun activity to do with friends. But once I joined the group and we got into the moves, I started to loosen up and giggle...because it is kind of silly...and it didn't matter that I was laughing with myself.

The choreography was basic, but it wasn't easy. There were some bossier/extroverted people in the group, enjoying themselves a little too much and stealing the thunder away from the instructor, but it was all in good fun.

What interested me the most was the diverse group of people that this kind of medium (?) grabs. In my particular group there was an older white couple, a young punky Mexican couple, four middle-aged women of varying ethnicities, a little six-year-old girl and her large mother, a 20-something actor guy from a theatre company that is putting on a performance of Mary Poppins, and...me. There were other people scattered throughout, but they were behind me in the formation so I couldn't focus my attention on them, but it was pretty vast, and very interesting. Who knew flash mobs could bring such different people together?

By the end of the rehearsal, I'd become one of the annoying people (counting aloud because I wanted  those not paying attention to get the beats right), which made me realize that I was really into it. It reminded me of musical theatre performances in high school, which was a real treat, since I so miss those days.

The next rehearsal I attended was the day of the performance. We met at a Roxbury Park, near the Century City Shopping Center. Parking was a hassle because it was a Saturday and lots of people were enjoying the beautiful day. Other than that, the rehearsal was a success. Paula, the organizer, brought donuts, and everyone was laughing and having fun, with nervous anticipation for our big show. I spoke to some interesting people, an actor and a older woman who'd done 12 flash mobs!

We rehearsed a few times, discussed the layout of the mall and where we'd be standing, and then left to go to our prime location. Once there, we had to pretend we were shopping or just perusing the shops, you know, hanging out. But, we all kind of gathered in the same area, and it might have looked a bit suspicious. I was a little nervous that I'd screw up, and some passerby would film it, and I'd become an overnight youtube sensation "Flash Mob Fail".

Paula tested the music on the loud speaker, so if shoppers were paying close attention they might have heard a bit of Mary Poppins "Step in Time" intertwined with the Top 40 music that typically wafts through the speakers.

Then the music started, for real, and thus the festivities began, and promptly at 2 PM, our set time. People gathered by the food court and looked over the balconies, filming our dance with their phones. Luckily, it wasn't nerve-racking once we started dancing. Just enjoyable.

I do think the mob was a bit underwelming, simply because there were only about 30 of us, and there were supposed to be 100, which would have been much more exciting. I also messed up a bunch of times, because this mob called for children, and they weren't sure where to stand, so I kept trying to avoid hitting into them.

Overall, it was a really fun experience. Luckily my friends were at the mall that day, so I felt like I had my own little, personalized audience.

I met people, danced (which was surprisingly a great form of exercise - we were all pretty sweaty after dancing in the heat), and felt part of an experience. I heard that Flash Mob America garners bigger groups, so I might try that organizer, but I think doing this was a one time thing for me. I got my experience, and I feel satisfied.

Watch a video of the mob here:

If you want to learn more about Flash Mobs go here: www.dancemobnation.com/

You can also learn more by joining a West LA  (or any location) Meet up group, which is how I found out about this particular mob.

21. Catalina Zip-lining Eco Tour

I have a fear of heights. Or at least I think I do. My knees get weak when I look over the side of tall balconies or press my face against a glass window of a high rise. I guess it's more a fear of falling, rather than heights.

For some reason, despite this knowledge, I've had this strong desire to go Ziplining. Because, while I hate drops on rollercoasters (can't even go on Splash Mountain), I adore going fast. If I get on a rollercoaster that's speeding or COASTing along, no drops or loops, etc. I am happy. I just laugh and laugh. I can't stop giggling.

Ziplining seemed to combine a lot of things I like: the great outdoors, beautiful views, speed, and adventure. Usually ziplining is well-known in exotic beautiful locations like Costa Rica and Hawaii. But I don't have funds to travel there! Harumph. But, after doing some research I came across Ziplining in Catalina. Just an hour boat ride away. Yay. We ordered the tickets (you need to do so at least 2 weeks in advance, because they get booked). Filled with excitement...I just had to wait...

...Cut to a couple days before the excursion. I was SO SCARED. How fast was I going to go? What would it feel like? I wasn't afraid of the safety, I had done a lot of research on the Catalina Zip-lining Eco Tour, and knew I wouldn't fall to my death...but I was daunted by the unknown.

After arriving on Catalina Island...I started to have some anxiety. Could I go through with this? We got to the Eco Tour Station, which is just past the Casino. We had to be weighed (even though the carabeeners can hold about 5,000 pounds there is a weight limit of 250, I believe). We then signed a bunch of waivers, got a locker for our belongings (you can't take anything with you on the tour, except a camera if it has a strap), and put on a good ol' helmet. My mate owns a GoPro and the helmets had special straps just for these kind of cameras - so he got to wear it around his head and film us.

The group of 10 began to accumulate. One girl was begging to go on with either her brother or her boyfriend (couldn't tell), and usually they don't let more than 10 people go, but they made an exception for her. So there were 11 of us. We were situated in a benched area under some tents. There, we met our 2 guides for the day, Jack and Collin. They were very funny and upbeat and played off of each other.

They demonstrated (on a short pre-rigged zip line), the certain ways to sit in the harness and what to do if you get stuck in the middle of the zipline. They have several ways of getting you back to the base, but if you keep tucked up in the "cannon ball" position, you shouldn't have to worry. They also showed us how to slow down in a position called the "star fish". I was worried that I wouldn't remember any of this very important information in the heat of a panicked moment, though it was pretty simple.

After that, they put us into our harnesses and introduced themselves and asked how we were feeling. I'm guessing (and was hoping) they were used to nervous peeps.

After we were all harnessed in, we took a bus really really high up, to the top of a mountainous canyon. My nerves were going crazy. I had read some yelp reviews before and people talk about how stepping off a platform into thin air is the scariest part. So I was trying to psych myself up.

We got to our first zipline, called the bunny slope. It looked so far away and long. And this one was supposed to be easy. Collin went first so he could catch us at the other end, and he zipped away like the roadrunner. I became afraid of the speed.

I was no longer nervous about stepping off, like the reviews had indicated, because if you actually fell off the platform, you'd only fall about 5-10 feet, not into some deep canyon 500 feet below you, which I thought might be the case.

In our group we had a mother/daughter foursome, a little boy and his grandparents, and the girl and her brother/bf. The mother/daughter foursome went first, which helped ease my anxieties a bit. If 50-60 year old women could do it...I could do it too, right? I did notice that I was the only neurotic Jewish person in the group...and was wondering how many Jewish people actually do things like this. My inner Woody Allen was qvelling and coming up with all sorts of crazy notions to frighten me.

Then it was my turn to go. My heart was racing. Jack hooked me up to the line and held me - the group counted down. I couldn't do it. I thought Jack could have been a little more understanding, but he wasn't mean at all, just a bit impatient. I probably stood, hovering on the platform, for 5 minutes (but it felt like decades). What helped me the most was the rest of the group. They were cheering me on, telling me it wasn't "that bad", etc. It was like being with a wonderfully supportive family, and it really touched me. After my encouragement tank had been filled, I took my leap of faith.

The first thing I did was start cursing. I couldn't help it - it was a sensation/feeling I had never had before. But after the initial few seconds of adjusting, I started enjoying the scenery and feeling a great sense of pride and accomplishment. And of course, it was fun!

By the second slope (the longest one - about 1,100 feet), I was still nervous, because this one was much longer. But I enjoyed myself and had nothing to worry about, after all.

By the third line, I was excited and ready to go, only the slightest bit nervous because each line is different. This one was my favorite. It was called the Roller Coaster, and we were told to scream as loud as we could while we were on it. I went the fastest I'd gone on this one (about 30 mph) and there were a few little bumps.

Watch us on the rollercoaster (note: no sound b/c I didn't want to ruin computer speakers or eardrums with our screaming):

The fourth line we got to practice poses for the final line (which has a camera), we could take one hand off the handle bars, twist, move our legs, etc. Just never take both hands off. This one was short, but it was cool to try something different than the normal position.

The last one was essentially the same as the one before - strike a pose when you get to the camera at the very end (I was silly and looked the wrong way!).

By the end I was just really happy. It was such an enjoyable experience on many levels. The people in the group were friendly and encouraging. The atmosphere was supportive, fun, and lively. I felt a sense of accomplishment, engaging with my fear and conquering it. I would 100% recommend this tour and go ziplining again, and maybe on an even more intense/faster course.

My only, tiny complaint was that the tour is supposed to include information about Catalina's eco system and the kinds of nature or animals we might see in the canyon below, etc. I would have probably been too nervous to obtain any information, but it still would have been nice to learn something. Jack and Collin told us one weird anecdote about buffalo...but that was pretty much the extent of our "eco-tour".

At the end of the day, you could buy your photo for $17. I thought that was a bit pricey, but we got them anyway, since we didn't know the next time we'd get to go ziplining. Ziplining, itself is quite expensive, but if you can save up the money or have it on hand, it's definitely worth it.

This was the best activity of my summer, by far. And I wish I could go back and re-live it all over again.

To learn more about the Catalina Zipline visit here: http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/avalon/tour_zipline.php