LALALA

Although I spent most of my Los Angeles time underneath a steamy tent, I did have a few opportunites to get out and about with my beloved friend Crystal, who knows just what I want from a vacation. So many of my friends are living far away from me, so in lieu of tourist activities, I would much rather chill out with a loved one, eat ice cream sandwiches with homemade Nutella ice cream (!!) and watch approximately 35 episodes of Say Yes to the Dress interspersed with a few doses of Pawn Stars and My Strange Addiction. (MY strange addiction: watching cable at other people's houses!)

I didn't eat any KFC, but I found myself stuffed with chicken strips constantly thanks to the Ludo truck, a magical rolling chicken machine that was stationed at Renegade. So darn good! The below is a choice bit of Crystal and Scott's home decor.

 

We took a little journey to LACMA in the evening to see the Urban Light exhibit; it was so pretty. Here are a bunch of pictures that are way better than any I took. I felt that on this particular trip, my eyes were open to more of LA's charms than its gross qualities, which was really refreshing and made me want to spend more time there!

A fancy Manhattan at the outdoor museum bar. This was my high-rollin' night and we did it up right. 

 image from space15twenty

Crystal took me to the famous Umami Burger, where I couldn't resist ordering something called the Stinkburger. Now I can say I've eaten a hamburger with fried anchovies on it. It was a little much, even for me, but I'm glad I took the salty plunge. Their burgers are just the right size; look how puffy the bun is!

LA! Foods, friends, fried anchovies. I will be returning soon. 

Renegade LA

It's been a crazy week! I'd like to think that by the end of it I will be pretty proud of myself for keeping it together. I'm at my parents' house right now celebrating my birthday (yesterday) and just sewed a bunsload of stuff for Renegade LA this weekend. I can't wait to see my friends, and also can't wait to meet some new friends who I've only known on the internetz thus far.

THROW PEANUT SHELLS ON FLOOR

My parents were traveling in LA this weekend and yesterday they had lunch at the site of their very first date, Clearman's North Woods Inn. Sometimes I wonder where my love of totally fake places comes from, and then I remember that I did do a good bit of growing up in the Los Angeles area, where fake is a lifestyle.

Anyway, North Woods is a totally fake lodge in the middle of a strip mall. As a child, the greatest novelty was getting to toss peanut shells on the floor, but now I'd like to get my hands on some of that fatty food. I haven't eaten there in years, but their classic steakhouse menu is unforgettable, especially if you like obscene portions and bread smeared with a magical cheese/butter combination (sometimes available at the grocery store!).

My memories of North Woods are also entwined with those of my grandmother, who lived nearby in Arcadia. This is where we'd often go out to dinner for a special occasion. Good times! My mom said that nothing had changed except for the huge Kohl's now next door, and the size of the potatoes (smaller). I'm glad my parents first got to know each other in a dimly-lit kitsch cavern. North Woods is definitely on my short list of buildings I will not allow to be destroyed, even if they continue to offer the cheese spread at Safeway.

photos by the Burger Baroness

When Opportunity Knocks...

I've been reading a little self-help literature lately, and my most recent book told me that I should give myself permission to do something frivolous and not worry about it.

Therefore, as a gift to myself and a boon to my always questionable mental health, I made the bold step of ordering three tickets to go see PEE WEE HERMAN, live on stage!

I've invited two dear friends to accompany me, and come November, I'll be traveling to Hollywood to see this beloved kitsch icon! I can't wait. I wrote a whole other super-serious post about Pee Wee and television and youth and creepy adult stuff, but it got too big and intense for such a joyous occasion, so for now I'll just say that I heart Pee Wee and his Playhouse and I am SO excited to take a little trip.

Here's a clip I remember well. Ice cream soup!