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

20. Pixar in Concert - Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl is a great LA spot. Numerous events, outdoor seating under the stars (well maybe one or two if you're lucky), picnic food - just general merriment. This particular Friday evening I was invited to see Pixar in Concert.

Because the Hollywood Bowl is notorious for their terrible parking situation (all the cars jam in a lot in front of and behind each other (tandem) so there is no way to escape), I looked into the "Park & Ride" option. Hollywood Bowl offers buses that take you from a parking lot where it is safe to leave your car for free, directly to the box office, and then takes you back - for only $10!

I took the Park & Ride by the Federal Building. If you check the Hollywood Bowl's website, you can see what times the buses come at each location (which are scattered around the city). You can buy pre-sale tickets (at least 2 weeks before) or right before you get on the bus. I'd never done this before, so I was nervous it might be sold out.

I rushed over to the Federal building, parked my car by following some clear signage, and then ran to the bus that was about to leave. They had room for me and a couple other stragglers. I mistakenly took a seat facing inward...I would not recommend this, especially if you get car sick. The ride was jerky and bumpy, and I was stuck watching the world fly by sideways...it was quite unnerving. However, on the way back, I made sure to get a good seat (facing forward), and it was much more pleasant. I would highly, highly recommend this form of travel. It's quick, easy, cheap, and best of all you don't have to wait! And I know what waiting can do to people...(hint: causes anger and self-entitlement).

Once I arrived at the bowl and met my Pixar partner, we stopped in the Market Cafe and bought some fruit and drinks. They have romantic options for those lovebirds out there - strawberries and whipped cream! We also got food at Staccato. We ordered some chicken tenders and french fries...off the kid's menu. Very classy. The food, overall, was good - but you are welcome to bring your own picnics into the Hollywood Bowl, so I'd probably recommend that instead. Their food options are convenient, if you don't want to carry a picnic basket around.

After we took our seats (note: very uncomfortable wooden benches) we got ready to watch the show. I had brought a big blanket, because I thought it would be cold. I was glad I brought the blanket so we could have some extra cushion, but no blankets necessary on a summer night.

The actual show was really fun. The orchestra played the music from each of the 12 Pixar movies: Toy Story 1,2,3, Monsters Inc., Wall-E, Up, Finding Nemo, Cars 1,2, Brave, The Incredibles, A Bug's Life, and Rattatouille. As the music was playing, certain scenes were projected on a large screen (sans sound effects and dialogue). It was interesting to see what a huge roll the music played.

This show was also interjected by speeches from the Conductor and the CEO of Pixar. They mostly were just patting Pixar on the back, saying how great it was, how groundbreaking, ya de ya de ya da...I wanna see Nemo! Basically, I could have done without the interludes, though it seemed like some people were quite excited that the head of Pixar was there.

What I liked most about the show was that I still felt so much emotion without any sound or dialogue, simply from the visuals and the music. I got weepy during Finding Nemo, Rattatouille, Monsters Inc., and UP (of course - who does not cry in UP?). I was a little dissappointed in the scenes they chose for Wall-E, because that movie is mostly non-dialogue to begin with, and so successful in visual storytelling, but they chose to highlight the scenes in which Wall-E and Eva soar through the sky, instead of the more tender moments.

Having this show outdoors provided a more casual, interactive experience. You can whisper to the person you are with and talk about what you are seeing, hearing, etc. without disturbing others. We ended up moving back to a bench that was fairly empty so we could have more room. It was nice to have this kind of flexibility.

After the show was over (why weren't there fireworks? Sad), I walked through the tunnel and took the bus back to my car.

It was a very successful, out of the ordinary, and fun evening, and I'd highly recommend it to Pixar lovers. It's also a great show for all ages, so it'd be a fun family event.

Buy your tickets or learn more here: http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/tickets/pixar-concert/2012-08-04

19. Between the Sheets with Josh Macuga - Stand up/Comedy Show at The Improv Lab

"Between the Sheets with Josh Macuga" is a monthly Standup/Comedy Show organized by Casual Mafia, a Los Angeles based Sketch Comedy Group.

We arrived 30 minutes early, after pre-paying for our tickets online. When we entered The Improv Lab (the back room of the comedy club), no one was there yet, so we ordered some food and drink at The Improv bar.

Once inside the show venue, we realized we could have easily bought tickets at the door (minus the extra fees you get from ordering online). And when you are a struggling student, those little details matter.

Between the Sheets combines Stand Up Comedy with a Late Night Talk Show vibe. The comedians perform stand up and then afterwards have an interview/gab fest with Josh Macuga, the host.

The comedians in this show's line up were Elliot Chang, Jodi Miller, Josh Adam Meyers, and co-host Adam Ray. As far as their performances go I thought Jodi Miller was hilarious. I'd seen her at the Comedy Store a few months prior, but she really "killed it" this time and provided a fresh, female perspective. I thought Adam Ray was pretty funny and quite dashing, as well. I'd also seen Josh Adam Meyers before, and most of his material was the same this time around. The new material was really sexual and dirty, and I mostly just had a sour look on my face during his set. Elliot Chang was alright...he had a few good ones in there, but I think he was having an off night. I thought Josh Macuga had some funny moments as host, but I also felt he was a little too "on"...but I guess that's what talk show hosts do...?

At first, when I understood the format of the show, I was worried. It almost felt like it was trying too hard to be something else. But once the comedians got comfortable and the show was on a roll, I enjoyed it. Some of the conversations/interview were really entertaining. I especially liked when all the comedians were on the couch together just bouncing off each other with high energy. The switching of comedians and comedy style kept me engaged and laughing. I was never bored.

My only complaint for this show is...the material was too sexual. Maybe I should have paid closer attention to the name of the show, but I just think that people use sex as a cop out - to get cheap laughs - this happens in movies, now novels, and comedy. I think it takes a more clever person to come up with hilarious situations or truths which lack crudeness or vulgarity. Don't get me wrong, I still find a good poop joke funny and of course some sexual innuendos or what not, but this was just too much. Especially during the interview section...

I started to feel a bit uncomfortable, and I'm a woman who performs Vagina Monologues every year, shouts "Vagina!" at the top of my lungs with my friends, and wears t-shirts that say "Jam out with your..." You get the picture. I'm not uptight when it comes to these topics, but for some reason this just rubbed me the wrong way (yes I notice the innuendo in this sentence).

Anyway, overall I really enjoyed the show, and would recommend checking it out. I laughed a lot, and had a fun night out with young, vibrant people. I just wish comedians would focus on the funny in every day life instead of always resorting to sex.

To learn more about Between the Sheets visit the Casual Mafia facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/TheCasualMafia

RESTAURANT REVIEW: CC Gallagher

Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. CC Gallagher was the worst and possibly weirdest restaurant I've EVER been too, and that probably includes fast food. Please, if you go to Catalina, do not eat here. 

I love Sushi. The freshness, the sauces, the healthy ingredients. We saw one sushi place on our short walk along the island, and we decided we should try it. 

We should have known better though. CC Gallagher is not only a sushi cafe, but also a Mediterranean cafe, a saki bar, a dessert bar with gelato, a coffee bar, a wine bar, a gallery, and a souvenir shop. To many good things is never a good thing. 

We walked into the confused restaurant...well...very confused. On the storefront is a huge sign that says SUSHI, and yet you enter and it looks like an Italian restaurant. Baffling. Mind boggling. Just plain weird. 

A woman came over to us and we asked about the sushi, she gave us a specific menu and said that the chefs were special, flown in from Japan. Uh huh....sure...

We glanced over the menu which was only about a page long. I ordered a spicy tuna roll (which is my favorite roll) and "3 roe boats," which had salmon roe, masago, and tobikko. I've had the latter 2 before, but this would be my first time trying salmon roe. I assumed since it said roe boats, that there would be several. 

My partner in CC Gallagher crime ordered the chef's special (so that has to be good right?) and a spicy salmon roll. We also got green tea, edamame, and miso soup. 

The edamame and miso soup were fine. It's hard to screw either of those two food items up. My green tea was from a tea-bag, which some Japanese restaurants have, but not the good ones. 

When we got the sushi, I already knew something was fishy (yes! pun INTENDED!). First my spicy tuna roll, was a handroll - never seen that before. It also was basically chunks of raw tuna and then some weird red bell pepper type sauce inside the handroll. Typically spicy tuna comes pre-mashed: the tuna is mixed with the spicy sauce and put into the roll. It also smelled super fishy. 

My roe boat dish only came with three inividual rolls. One with the salmon roe, one with the masago roll, and one with the tobikko. Usually when I've had tobikko it's a bright red...this was green. 

I then asked for some Ponzu sauce, which is a mixture of citrus (can be orange, lemon, etc.), soy sauce, and fish stock (I learned this from a master sushi chef). The waitress seemed stoned and also unsure of what Ponzu sauce was. When she returned, after several times asking, she came back with a dish of white sauce with some weird brown flakes resting at the bottom. I'd never seen white ponzu sauce before. Ever. (Sidenote: When I returned to LA and went to my favorite sushi place and asked the waitress if she'd ever seen white or clear ponzu sauce, she started laughing and said Ponzu sauce must always be brown...that's when I knew for sure, this place was so un-legit). 

Now came the eating part. I ate the masago roll, and it was not good, but not terrible. Then I attempted to take a bite of my spicy tuna roll, and I had to spit it out. It was that bad. The texture was slimy, and it just tasted really fishy and with some red pepper to mask the poor quality, freshness, and taste. I tried scraping out the fish, so I could just eat the rice and seaweed, but the rice was tainted by the strange red flakey sauce. So I couldn't eat the dish at all.  

Then my PIC (partner in crime) tried eating his food. Now, this man has the toughest of stomachs. He can eat anything, and be okay with it. When I've seen him eat mediocre food, he'll finish his plate and say it was "okay". This was not the case here, which is how I know this place is B-A-D. 

He first tried my salmon roe. As he was eating, he told me to look away, because he thought he was going to throw up. He explained that eating the salmon roe roll was like bitting into a fish oil pill. He also ate the tobikko roll and said it had a strange pepper taste. Do they just put bell peppers in everything here? 

For his chef special, he had a california roll, a vegetable roll, and a spicy tuna roll. Most chef specials consist of sashimi or at least some fresh, raw fish. But their tour de force was a vegetable roll? The only one he consumed entirely was the california roll, which he said was mediocre. The vegetable roll tasted like chemicals and the spicy tuna roll was just gross. He tried to eat his spicy salmon hand roll, which was essentially the same design as my spicy tuna hand roll, but with a different fish. 

At the end of the night we paid, begrudgingly. I should also say that the service was poor. No one refilled my tea or my water. The woman who worked there seemed very unaware of what sushi even was. When the waitress switched with a waiter towards the end of the night, he asked with an Italian accent if I liked the food (since all of mine was still on my plate). I told him that I didn't really like it, and he told me to speak with the chef. But...what for? He wasn't offering to comp anything on the check. He just wanted me to tell the chef that I didn't like the food. He said "They should know". So bizarre. 

The bill was really high, which of course, was disappointing. And the rest of the evening we both felt dizzy, light-headed, and just plain awful. Luckily we went to an ice cream shop on the dock and got one scoop of chocolate in a sugar cone, each, and it seemed to soothe our poor tummies a bit. On the ferry ride back, I tried to cure my sick stomach with chamomile tea, while my PIC chose a couple rum and cokes. 

By the time we arrived back on LA land we were feeling better, but needless to say CC Gallagher was the worst. The only positive aspect of the evening, was how much we bonded over the terrible food and laughed at the miserable experience. 

If you're curious about CC Gallagher click here: http://www.ccgallagher.com/

But please...don't go! 

18. Tubing on Catalina Island

I was in 6th grade. That was the last time I really remember visiting Catalina. It was the 6th grade retreat. Very cool. We night snorkeled and kayaked and played camp games.

I went again at age 14 or so with a friend and we went paddle boating. But the memory is very fuzzy. I remember pooka shell necklaces were in, and we both wore those around our little teenage necks.

But I hadn't been back to the beautiful island since. It's pretty pricey. A $70 ferry ride (unless you go on your birthday), and then expenses for whatever activity you do.

Today we were here on a mission. To go ziplining, but I wanted to do one other activity to make the day feel complete. I picked tubing because I'd seen photos of people doing it and they always looked so happy. Now, having done it...I don't know why they were smiling.

After taking the ferry ride over (it was so cold! bring a jacket! or a blankey! I used my towel as a wind buffer), we walked along the dock. The water was insanely beautiful and clear and we could see the orange garibaldis leisurely swimming. We got to the pier, and went to the Island Water Charters. They are known for parasailing trips, which should have been my first clue. They do single, tandem, and triple tubing as well as parasailing, but it's not the company's main squeeze.

We had signed up a few weeks in advance, but now had to pay and sign some waivers. It was $35 per person. You could also pay $20 for a photo package, but we didn't do that.

We got onto a small speed boat with two little girls and their mother, the captain, and the captain's assistant who was a teenager with an awesome summer job.

We went first. There are two different kinds of tubing. The kind where you sit in a tube and get pulled and then the kind where you lie on your stomach on an inflatable flat cylinder and hold on to the straps. We did the latter. Boy what a mistake.

We told the captain we wanted a fast ride, but we didn't realize the toll it would take on our body. We were literally holding on for dear life. The tube bounced so high above the water, jolting our bodies. We nearly fell of, hard, several times. The captain had warned us to grind our teeth, because people sometimes bite their tongues or lips when they bump up and down.

So here we were, holding onto straps with as much strength as we could muster, clenching our jaws, and wondering how this was fun and why we paid to be dragged.

The ride also went on for far too long, and it was only about 10 minutes. I kept having to give the thumbs down sign which meant slow down.

After the ride, I was super sore - my hands, my wrists, and my arms felt like jello.

The sisters went next, and while there ride was much less intense than ours, I could see their little hands slipping from the grips. Their arms must have been tired too! The captain's assistant was meant to take the photos for the photo package, but the camera kept screwing up, so I'm not sure they even got any photos.

Riding in the speed boat on the water and taking in the view was probably the best part of the whole excursion. The tubing, itself, was probably fun for about, I dunno, one minute, but that was it. I wouldn't recommend this kind of tubing, as it was more of a workout than an entertaining, exciting water sport.

If you're interested in learning more, despite my poor review you can go here:  http://www.islandwatercharters.com/

I bet the parasailing was much better!

17. Riding a Bike - Perry's Bike Cafe

The last time I really rode a bike was when I was around 8 or 9, and I don't even remember if I rode without training wheels. My best friend and I were escorted by her father along San Vicente Blvd, in the bike lane, which in retrospect now, as a long-term driver, seems fairly dangerous. I don't remember much of that day, except we did it, and we listened to Toni Braxton on the car ride back.

The next time I "rode" or shall I say..."momentarily sat" on a bike was freshman year of college. Around the campus, students often rode bikes to and from class, to and from campus to their dorms/apartments, etc. On this particular evening, all of my friends were biking to a dining hall. I was the only one who didn't have a bike. I preferred to walk. My guy friend offered to lend me his. I didn't realize (yet anyway), that men's bikes can have a much smaller seat making it challenging or uncomfortable for women to ride. I got on, and moments later was on the hard, cement ground. I'd fallen over the handle bars, skinning my knee, and bleeding. I don't remember the exact details, but I think I simply went over a bump in the sidewalk too roughly. Needless to say, I walked the rest of the way to the dining hall, and unfortunately have been scarred from riding bicycles ever since.

Recently,  I have wanted to conquer that fear. Having spent a majority of the last six years on a college/grad campus, and watching people carelessly ride bicycles, has only emphasized my inability to get on one. I also used to date a guy who rode his bike to and from work, which was basically an hour away. I longed for this kind of healthy, active, and some-what exciting lifestyle. I remember seeing a cute girl in a summer dress, cycling, a baguette and a small dog in her bicycle basket. At first I thought, are they filming a rom com nearby? Then when I realized no, it's just Los Feliz, and everyone seems like they are in a Hipster movie...I wanted to be that girl.

A couple Friday's ago, I spent a beautiful sunny afternoon on the beach, and I got back up on that horse aka bike again. My friend and I went to Perry's Cafe - a bicycle rental place. There are several located all along PCH. We went to the one near Wilshire, since it's a straight shot. They offered us two beach cruiser style bikes. They said accusingly "You don't want helmets do you?" to which my friend responded "I do". Thankfully I have friends who are more neurotic than me. No one else was wearing a helmet along the bike path, so we ended up letting our hair fly freely in the wind.

Trying to the ride the bike at first was difficult, embarrassing, and a bit frightening. It was hard to get both feet off the ground and stay balanced and simply pedal. My friend was shocked at how juvenile my skills were, and pedestrians were certainly watching me struggle. But eventually I mastered the pedaling and I was moving down the path. Most of the path was perfect for a newb like me, but also a more experienced biker. It was paved and smooth, and when both my friend and I veered off the path accidentally, we merely fell onto some soft sand. The view was of the ocean - um...not bad right? It was only less than ideal when pedestrians got on the bike path and walked really slowly (since I didn't feel prepared to bike really fast and pass them, until the very end of the hour of biking). It was also frightening for me, because I didn't want to run into people, since I tended to swerve a bit.

Overall, I really enjoyed this afternoon. It was a bit of exercise, a beautiful scenic day with a great view, and I overcame a little fear. I would definitely, 100% go back and rent a bike from Perry's Cafe and continue to improve my bike riding skills, whilst enjoying some time at the beach.

To rent a bike for an hour is $10, two hours is $19, three hours is $23, and the whole day is $30. We only did it for an hour, since I was just learning. Don't forget the Badger SPF 30 Sunscreen For Face and Body!

Learn more about Perry's Cafe here: http://www.perryscafe.com/

To see a cute pup in a basket check this out: "Tagalong Pet Bicycle Basket"

16. McDonald's Swim Stadium

The other day I went swimming during my lunch break. It broke up the monotony of an 8 hour work-day, while also filling up on vitamin-d and exercise. Sitting all day, hunched over a desk, typing on a computer in an office with one tiny window far away from my cubicle, can be very draining. Fortunately for me, the McDonald's Swim Stadium on the USC campus is just a 10 minute walk away.

I packed my bathing suit, a towel, my student ID, and some snacks. I paid the $25 fee in order to be a member over the summer, and I have access to the pool which is open from 11AM - 6PM Mon-Fri and 11AM-4PM Sat.

I got to the Lyons Center, changed in the Women's Locker Room and set up on a lounge chair. I wished the pool was surrounded by grass or had a grassy area, but instead it's surrounded by cement. Nonetheless, I got some sun, watched some young divers have a diving instruction (kind of interesting actually...), did a few laps in the pool, and relaxed.

The pool was a bit salty, which was strange. I did like that the lanes were single though, so most swimmers had a lane to themselves. And in the case of multiple swimmers, there's no room for passing.  But it was fairly empty, so I'm not sure if multiple swimmers per lane is a problem here. The temperature was also refreshing, and not too cold. The recreational pool/ the one on the left  is kept warmer than the pool on the right, said the lifeguard. I should mention, there are two pools, both the same except slight difference in temperatures and the cooler one closes an hour earlier to the public.

If you are a USC student or have access to the USC Lyon's Center, I'd highly recommend taking a dip in the pool, especially during the summer, and especially on a lunch break! It was just the pick me up I needed. Unfortunately the women's showers were out of order, so I had to go back to work a bit chlorine-y, but it was definitely worth it.

If you don't have access to these kind of amenities, I still recommend going outside or doing something active during a one hour lunch break, if possible. It makes the day so much more enjoyable!

Learn more about USC's McDonald's Swim Stadium here: http://sait.usc.edu/Recsports/facilities/aquatics/mcdonalds-swim-stadium

P.S. There is also a jacuzzi! Which in my 6 years of attendance at the school never knew existed! Would have really liked to know that after a long, rough, or chilly day, I could have relaxed in a jacuzzi! And it's right there.

15. OC Fair

I don't connect to American Culture. I've never felt "American," been "proud to be an American," or felt any sort of pride or attachment to "my country". Even the mere thought of being attached to a mass of land where I was born seems strange to me. In fact, most of the time I'm embarrassed to be American. A lot of the traditions, trajectories, ideals are so dissimilar from my world view. I've noticed that when I travel to a foreign country, I prefer when they think I'm a local.

Sometimes I do get defensive when people bad-mouth LA. I've heard that all born and raised in Los Angeles are superficial, materialistic ego-maniacs, and so I put my dukes up, because, of course, I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and I would hope that I don't possess those traits. But aside from occasionally sticking up for "The City of Angeeelllls" (valley girl voice), I've never really felt any connection to American people or Californians. I do like that we speak the same language, though. At least literally. Actually more and more people don't speak English here. So nevermind.

Anyway, when I heard of the OC Fair, I thought it might be fun to dig deep into some rul' American tradition. Eat some unhealthy fried food, watch some pig races, and go on carnival rides. It seemed fun to me because it's not something I would normally do. The only fairs I'd been to were the ones my elementary school would put up once a year, and those were very upscale and had themes. I'd never been to a down and dirty, grungy, come one, come all, get your American on, apple-pie-eating contest County Fair.

So...off we went to the OC Fair. To get red, white, and blue.

After driving the 30 minutes on the freeway, we parked in the expansive lot, purchased our $11 tickets and entered the Fair area...which was...another expansive lot. The fair was HUGE. Luckily we had a map on hand, which also described the different events, activities, stands, etc. (Later I found out, if you arrive early, tickets are only $2! There are also discounts for military (of course - very American), seniors, and children. No student discounts :(

Upon entering, we went to get some greasy grub.  My county fair companion got a corn dog from Hot Dog on A Stick, and after much debate and walking back and forth (the food options are overwhelming - and many of the vendors have the same type of food, so it was hard to pick which one might be best! agh! paradox of choice!), I got a hot dog from Mustard's which was rated "best hot dog place on the fairway".  It was definitely not the best hot dog I've ever had (not that I'm a hot dog connoisseur), and it didn't come fresh off the grill. They make a bunch at one time, foil them up, and then serve them. But it was satisfactory.

I also got a really really tasty corn on the cob, or more like a husk of corn from The Corn Shack. There were options for all different kinds of spices and toppings, but I just got good ol' fashioned Corn with some butter. It was scrumptious. We both got Lemonade from Squeezers Old Fashioned Lemonade Stand, which was conveniently shaped like a lemon and situated throughout the fairgrounds. If you bought a special cup, you could get "cheaper" refills throughout the day. One problem I did have with the fair was how expensive everything was - it's like Disneyland! The most expensive place on earth. Well not that expensive...but plan to spend a lot of dough on fried dough. Wow, my puns are out of control.

After we ate, we went on the high swings. The ride cost $5 (so if you plan on going on a lot of rides, each costs about $5 per person), and it was exhilarating, fun, but very quick. It was the classic rotating swing ride, but much higher, and we got a great view of the entire fair.

Once we finished whirling around, we went to the product fair, which is basically the love child of a flea market and an airport terminal. There were tons of small stores that sold random trinkets that you could probably buy somewhere else and for cheaper. But, we did find a really cute boutique. I bought a belt and a bracelet for a reasonable price...though my bracelet did break 2 weeks later. SAD FACE.

My favorite part of the day: THE ALASKAN PIG RACE! My first ever animal race of any kind. To some it might have been anti-climactic, and the small stadium was definitely laden with youngsters, but I found it delightful and fun. The piglets were incredibly endearing, especially the little ones that attempted to jump over the hurtles that were set for them. The pig race was led by two boyish gentlemen who were filled with corny humor. I found the names of the pigs to be the most entertaining: Natalie PORTman, Justin BeiBOAR, Chavunist Pig...you get the picture. Just plain adorable. Here's a video from the race:

After the show, we wandered around the livestock animal area, where we saw pigs, sheep, cows, and an oxen (one of the biggest animals I've ever seen - it was the size of a small car). All were held in small pens with hay, and many had teenage volunteers lounging around with them inside the perimeter.

Last, but certainly not least...DESSERT. We had to get dessert. There was a huge array of nasty treats: fried oreos, twinkies, churros, chocolates, funnel cake, cotton candy, etc. I opted for a bag of cut up churros from "Apple Fries" which was a Mexican Funnel Cake place that had a variety of fried treats. The churros were delicious, and tasted super fresh (if that's possible). My friend got a funnel cake from a funnel cake stand, and it was devoured in its entirety.

As we were leaving I stopped and got shaved ice - 2 flavors - blue cherry and mango. Mmm.

When I got home, I crashed. Fatigued from walking around in the heat and from all the sugar and fried food! But overall, it was a day very much well spent :) Recommend.

Sidenote: I found that despite the fun, there was this weird plastic, brightly colored eeriness that kind of took over, which, I think, reinforces why Carnivals are often pictured in movies. See if you feel that way too.

Learn more about the OC Fair here: http://ocfair.com/2012/index.asp
It ends August 13, so be sure to check out the calendar of events to pick the perfect day for you! And bring cash! ATM charge is $3.

14. Mona Golabek in the Pianist of Willesden Lane at Geffen Playhouse

Aside from seeing my friends perform on stage, and acting myself, I haven't been to the theatre in a long time. When my mom and her friend recommended this one woman show, I felt inclined to go, mostly because it'd been so long since I sat in a velvet seat and took in some live theatre.

Usually, I'm not a fan of one woman/one man shows. I find them less intriguing than a full cast of actors, playing different parts. It's not as visually stimulating. In Mona Golabek in the Pianist of Willesden Lane, I really enjoyed the bare bones approach to her touching story.

Upon entering the small theatre, we were ushered to our seats, 2 chairs, basically on the stage. The "stage" which was not elevated was decorated by a beautiful grand piano and large ornate, yet empty, golden frames, which hung from the ceiling. I had a feeling images would be projected into the frames. The set up was simple and elegant.

When the show initially began, I was worried.  Mona didn't take on characters the way I thought she would. She didn't morph and change into different spirits. She acted as a storybook narrator, changing the intonation or accent of her voice, but not taking on any distinct mannerisms or traits. She was just telling us the story. I wasn't sure if I liked that.

However, as the performance progressed, I began to engage in this woman's incredible journey. How she was forced to leave her family at 14 during the Holocaust and go to a different country, and then ran away from that new home. Life seemed so spontaneous and harsh. And in between the monologues, Mona Golabek played the piano in a most bittersweet and touching way. Each song calling attention to the sentiment of the particular "scene". As suspected, old photographs, video footage, and relevant imagery were projected into the hanging frames, which set the mood of 1940's Euro culture.

What I loved most about the show was the beautiful ending (which I won't spoil here), but it did bring me to tears. It's stories like this one that make me feel privileged and reminds me to cherish the life I've been given. This girl was separated from her family at such a young age, and forced to become independent and strong. Despite all the hardships, she managed to excel greatly. It also reminded me of the kindness of the human spirit in times of horror.

I would highly recommend this one woman show to everyone. However, while it is very much a human story for all types of people, I do think being of the Jewish faith or culture might make the experience a little bit more meaningful.

Learn more about or buy tickets for the show here: http://geffenplayhouse.com/more_info.php?show_id=161