Da Getty

It was a pretty good weekend for me this week. On Friday I had a little run-in with the law on my way up Vermont Ave. I had been pulled to a stop behind another guzzler of an SUV and decided to pick up a piece of paper on the seat beside me and glance it over. With my window down and grooving (aka singing along) to Erykah Badu, I noticed out of the corner of my eye a cop car pull up beside me. He leaned out his window and informed to stop reading and drive if I didn't want a ticket. The two pimply teenagers in cuffs in the back seat snickered as I said "No problemo." That wasn't the best start to my Friday evening, but it was easy to shake off... Later that night I got to see my good friend Minnesota David for the first time in about a year and a half. We hit the usual spots. He go to see how Jumbo's Clone Room (MJ's) has changed since we used to hang there together. Admittedly I think he dug it more this way with its twinky stripper aesthetic being all the rage. We then headed over to the Regal Beagle, where I ran across Liquid-wayno, it was nice to finally meet him in person.

Saturday was all about hanging with my sister and Uncle Ken who's visiting from back East. We hit Amoeba, Carnie's, and then drove up the coast. Later that night it was time for a wonderful dinner at Ford's Filling Station in Culver City. This restaurant is owned by Harrison Ford's son and boasts a great selection of cured meats, cheeses, wines, great entrees, and one really adorable waiter... hehehe After stuffing ourselves in the swanky digs of Ford's we headed over to the Jazz Bakery to see a performance of Dr.Lonnie Smith and his trio called the Crescent Boogaloo. He is also known as the "Turbanator" sporting his funky muslim garb, beard, and a turban while playing some of the best damn jazz organ you'll ever hear. It had been such a long time since I had been to see some live jazz, and I'm glad this was the show I chipped my teeth on. These performers were incredible at their improvisation and tight knit groove. Everything played was improvised on the spot and played with complete passion. I had forgotten how great jazz is like amazing foreplay... hits you in all the right spots, surprises you at odd moments, and when it really hits the spot, you find yourself vocalizing "Yeah!" "Woo" and of course applause is called for after a good session. hehehehe

Sunday was the perfect day for us to head over to the Getty. The sun was out, the breeze was blowing, it was perfect. Right now their exhibit of California Video/film artists is really intriguing. You have to chack out the footage of the Cramps playing at a sanitarium in the late 70's... what a show that must have been live! The exhibit of photography by Gabriela Iturbide is pretty stunning, with some amazing photos of Gangs in East LA from the mid 80's that show compassion and a huge amount of trust on their part towards her. These are very beautiful personal works that show the true soul of her subjects. I think I could have done without the "Sacrafice" portion of her work that shows a large scale goat killing in Mexico, but it was still some amazing photography. The problem with that place lies in how prickin' huge it is. I need to go back soon to catch the other two exhibits I wanted to check out.

Last night after a long two days of jetting around, it was time to veg and hit the hay early... now I could really use a weekend to just relax.

The Salton Sea

So every now and then my sister and I like to run off to the Desert together for a weekend away. We have done it several times over the last few years, and typically stay within the Palm Springs area. Two years ago she had an itch to explore a very desolate but fascinating area just south east of Palm Springs known as the Salton Sea. We have both been very into a local band known as "Throwrag" that say they hail from the Salton Sea, so we were enticed, and wondered if the music fit the world that had been described by many an online search and article.
When planning our adventure, we stopped off at the Palm Spring visitor's center and asked about the area as well as how to best get there.... "Why the heck would you want to go there?" we were asked with exasperation. The poor old lady didn't seem to understand that we were curious young beings with cameras and an apetite for the dark, dirty twinge of the place. It was an amazing trip, and I have some really cool photos I'll share soon. For now check out this documentary that is coming out in May about the place, and is narrated by John Waters... How fitting!