Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Review - Tasca Wine Bar



Hot of the press...Here is the link:

http://www.campuscircle.net/review.cfm?r=3346

Monday, April 23, 2007

Unemployment in the City of Broken Dreams

So I was able to experience the glory of being unemployed for exactly one week out here in LA. And in thinking it over, I've decided that LA must have the highest percentage of people collecting unemployment in the nation. I have no idea if this is true, it's just my guess, but there are so many people out here doing absolutely NOTHING. Everyone of course is trying to do SOMETHING, but in their attempts, likely just go out every night and then spend all day at The Coffee Bean plugging away on their computers -- writing screenplays or just instead looking up people on myspace.

There is something about LA that sucks you into this mentality though. I was unemployed for a week, and honestly, if I could just find something to pay the rent, I realized that I would be completely happy doing nothing. By nothing of course I mean writing a little bit each morning, going to the gym, hanging out at Urth Cafe, taking a nap, and then going out later that night and/or watching movies on my couch. I think I'd really only feel that way in this town though (correction, I did feel that way in Avalon, NJ as well. To be expected, everyone that has been there completely understands).

But in every other major city in the country, you would be completely shunned for being this lazy. Can you imagine telling your banker friends in New York about your day? Here though, it's pretty much the norm. Is it a good mentality? Or completely irresponsible? Of course, I'm working again, so it doesn't matter anymore... but should I ever decide to jump ship, at least I know that I'm in the company of a lot of people that will understand, and will insist that living life this way is 100% OK.

Tanning in LA - where am I?

So I usually walk to my gym, which is right on Santa Monica Boulevard, in the heart of good old WeHo. Everyday (who am I kidding....maybe twice a week) when I go there, I pass by this super trendy tanning salon along the way. Over this past weekend, the tanning salon actually had a sign outside that read "Get your daily dose of Vitamin D today! Research proves that tanning provides Vitamin D, and getting your daily dose will help you to ward off skin cancer. New tanning packages available, discounts for all gym members. Come in today!"

Who is genius that came up with this ad campaign? I almost felt like I was being punked as a consumer. I mean, who would read this and actually buy a tanning package based on this sign created by a complete moron? The whole way it was marketed just really pissed me off, and I always think it's funny when little things like that bother me.

Sure Vitamin D does help, I'm not saying that it doesn't. But you need to be in the sunlight for about 5 minutes, wearing sunscreen. And isn't it sunny enough already, LA? The sun doesn't go away here, it actually becomes annoying after a while. Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine, BLAH.

Next time I see that sign, I'm kicking it over.

Everyone loves to spoon.



...even these guys.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Ta Da!

So here is the link to my first restaurant review!!! I don't think that it's my best work, but I didn't have a lot of time to write it. And I figure that it's probably a good thing that I will have room to improve as time goes on... Hard copies of Campus Circle are also available throughout SoCal -- 90,000 issues are distributed on college campuses, libraries, bookstores, music stores, etc. So grab one if you live here, and if not, just check out the links on the site:

http://www.campuscircle.net/review.cfm?r=3321

I'll be doing another restaurant review for next week, followed by a film review, and also will be working on a story about the comedy circuit here in LaLa over the next few weeks...

I must apologize now too for not writing as much on my blog. I'm sorry! Since I actually have real writing assignments now, they unfortunately take precedence. But I'll be sure to post something (including my articles) at least once or twice a week :)

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Pictures from our Trip - as Promised!

Sorry that this took so long! Being unemployed this past week has made me completely lazy. (I can see how this would become addictive. Too bad I have to start a new job tomorrow). I didn't really feel like putting a caption in for each photo - so just know that our trip went from LA to Napa, Napa to San Francisco, San Francisco through Monterrey/Carmel to Big Sur, and Big Sur all the way down the PCH back to LA where we toured Paramount and got into some trouble.

Just copy and paste the link below into a new browser to see everything, I think that it should work:

http://www.photomax.com/web/mem_album_photo_slide_show.php?mal_id=943222

Monday, April 09, 2007

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

So this is the official posting about the changes going on in my life now -- some are familiar with them, others are not. Before I tell you, I must ask: Did anyone really EVER think that this blog would open up doors for me? Because I surely didn't, and still question why I even write on it at all. BUT I am proud to announce that Cmorg actually landed a freelance writing job from this stupid thing, by submitting it as a writing sample for an LA based publication. That's right, you are looking at one of California's newest film and restaurant critics!!! All freelance of course, which means that I've also picked up another job teaching EFL to international students at the largest language school in the entire world (because anything less would just be unimpressive). Lots of changes, and I could not be any more excited about them.

My first assignments will be crafted in the next two weeks, so I will be sure to either post some of them if I'm allowed.

HOLY CRAP, I'm actually going to be a published writer!!!!!

Friday, April 06, 2007

Sightings and Celeb Scoop


Today at Century City Mall, we had a celeb sighting at lunchtime - it was Sanjaya Malakar, from American Idol. Sanjaya!!!!
He was spotted with a friend and a bodyguard, and was looking around to see how many people were looking at him. He is loving the spotlight right now. But a bodyguard...I mean, does Sanjaya really need a bodyguard? I guess all of the press is working for him. No crazy hair-do though - he had a hat on, so you could barely even see it! Good Luck Sanjaya, America LOVES you!

Monday, April 02, 2007

Sightings and Celeb Scoop


Driving through Sunset Plaza last week, we spotted Tara Reid outside of her new restaurant that just opened up, Ketchup. She was in a red dress, and honestly didn't look that bad from afar. I've seen the pictures of her on Perez though, so I know what lies underneath...! Her new restaurant sells $25 sloppy joe's and yahoo, it's apparently supposed to be a big hit. I think I'll take my chances at the 7-11 though!

Sightings and Celeb Scoop


I'm back from vacation, and it was wonderful! Such an amazing time, and I promise to post pictures from the entire trip down the coast as soon as I get my new computer later in the week. But in the meantime, let's talk about sightings and celeb scoop. On Tuesday of last week, I was lucky enough to get invited to the SCRUBS wrap party outside at The Roosevelt Hotel, and also had access into the exclusive late night party held in one of the cabanas. It was awesome, and here is some inside scoop from the party. 1. Zach Braff was completely wasted. I mean good on ya man, the season is over - live it up. But I found it hilarious how intoxicated he was... 2. Donald Faison is still dating Casey Cobb, Jessica Simpson's BFF/assistant. They are really cute together. She's super pretty in person, and refreshingly not that skinny. 3. Sarah Chalke is gorgeous in person, and likes to take her high heels off at parties like myself. I actually took mine off because I saw her do it. When in Rome, right? 4. Donald Faison also walked in on my going to the bathroom! Yep, forgot to lock the door, and he saw me half naked. AWESOME. 5. The really funny janitor on SCRUBS is a giant, and we actually saw him 2 nights in a row - he was seen the following night feasting on a large Mexican meal at El Compadre at a table nearby. 7. We got to watch the gag reel, which included a spoof on "dick in a box" that was one of the funniest things I've ever seen in my life.

Thanks to JS for hooking it up!! Such a great night!