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