***BE THE CHANGE***

Monday, March 31, 2008

Running: 5 Miles! w00t!


I DID IT!  

Today was a SUPER special day!  I received a totally unexpected Thank You gift this morning which left me perma-smiling throughout the remainder of the afternoon.  My cheeks are still recovering.  Yow!  After flying through my day in complete euphoric shock I HAD to be sure to finish on a high note.  I finally sat down and mapped out a few additional blocks onto the Cheviot Hills Loop in order to extend the route to 5 miles.  

My unfamiliarity with the new streets (in conjunction with tired and *still* sore legs) actually made my run feel much longer than it was.  I'm sure once I get better acquainted with the longer loop it won't seem so far.  I also felt super slow and was completely surprised to see that my actual pace was a lot faster than I had expected.

A special day indeed! Double w00t!


Photos: Bad Habits

















I have a bad habit of shooting photos while driving.  It was late and there were no other cars in the tunnel.  I love the emptiness!  Totally not safe...don't trying this at home kids.  

Art: Left Coast Reprezent, Yo!



Sam Flores reprezents the Left Coast on this Adidas Superstar design collab. 

And you thought Shaq's shoes were big?!

Music: Simian Mobile Disco - I Believe


Totally believing...

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Politics: Bush Booed At The Ballpark Tonight

Running: The Long Way Home...



This morning was my farthest run of the year. I swear one of these days I'll hit 5 miles again. Getting closer for sure...just need to take the time map out a few more blocks on my route.  I love the Nike+ site!

Sunday mornings are my absolute favorite time to run. When you're an urban runner you have a lot of obstacles to contend with...namely traffic and intersections. On Sunday mornings these hindrances become minor issues. It's the only time I can run across (what seems like) all 10 lanes on Pico Boulevard without waiting to cross at an intersection. Nice! 

My only issue with running in the morning is cold/tight muscles. This AM I was in cruise-mode because I woke up with sore hamstrings and gleutes (as a result of some recent non-running activities).  Just another reminder that being in running shape doesn't constitute being in all-other-activity shape. Pressing on...

Art: LA vs. WAR :: 4/10-4/13

I mentioned this upcoming event to some friends tonight and after their response I realized it was well worth posting!  Hope to see you there!
































































Make ART not war!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Friday, March 28, 2008

Wish List: Yurt-tastic!
















Howie Oakes spent years developing a truly portable yurt, and his own words explain it better than I could:

"I have been interested in nomadic homes for a long time, and became fascinated with the yurt after weathering a number of Burning Man dust storms in a small yurt that a friend built. I started looking into what was available, and saw that the typical western yurt had moved well beyond its roots as a truly nomadic home. I think that these yurts do indeed make excellent low impact housing, but I wanted a yurt that my family could easily transport and setup wherever we went."

Playa perfect...TOTALLY want!

Green: The Air Resource Board Lets CA Down















From Wired.com:
"After a marathon day-long meeting, the Air Resources Board unanimously approved slashing by 70 percent the number of zero emission vehicles we'll see on the road within six years. State regulators had proposed cutting the number by 90 percent."

WTF?!  Booooooooo!

"Confused? You aren't alone. "No one has any idea what just happened," said Zan Dubin Scott of Plug In America, an EV advocacy group. "The board doesn't even know what it voted on." 

Amen and Hallelujah to that, Zan!


Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Running: Play Time Is Over!



Woke up early this AM...crawled out of bed.  Got my gear on...then proceeded to crawl right back into bed.  It's been a week since my "Milestone" run.  I've had an insanely busy social schedule over the course of the last 8 days.  I'm pretty sure last night was the first night in a week that I got more than 4 to 5 hours of sleep.  Ahhh, absolute bliss!  

I've been feeling so guilty for not finding time to run.  I totally convinced myself that I was setting my progress WAY back after a whole week of pure gluttony along with very little sleep.  Glad to report that it was all in my head.  Tonight's run was fine.  Feeling good!  

The Deets:
Mile 1: 7'01"
Mile 2: 7'39"
Mile 3: 7'03"
Mile 4: 7'04"

***Side Note:  I found out today that I've helped motivate two separate long-time friends to begin training again!  Go Meg & Greenich!  Grin, we totally have to start hitting San Vicente and The Stairs together!  Meg, yer gonna LOVE your new Nike+!  Be sure to post your stats on your blog so we can watch your progress!  w00t!

Photos: Andre's Blessing @ The Red House

And the Tribe continues to grow...

Little Man Of The Hour::















Sharing A Moment::















Godmom, Judy, lovingly admires::















Brilliance::















Pepperoni Hot::

































Mom's Final Touches::















Community Art::















Family Love::















110% Happiness::















Many thanks to the Guerrette's for bringing this radiantly glowing ember into our lives!  Love you all like Mad!  

Click here to view about a million more spectacular moments from this amazing day.

Art: GRL @ MoMA


G.R.L. @ M.o.M.A. from fi5e on Vimeo.

Check it...

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Art: Maker Faire Tickets!

















Yep, it's official!  The tix which guarantee entrance into what's bound to be the technologically creative highlight of my summer...(next to Burning Man, of course) have arrived! w00t!

The Deets:
Maker Faire Bay Area
May 3 & 4, 2008
San Mateo Fairgrounds
Tix Available Now!
(Discount tix available until 4/25)

More fire?
Yes, please!

Art: Sam Flores- Obama Hope Print

























Sam Flores has, once again, teamed up with Upper Playground to offer this limited edition Hope print in support of Barack Obama's presidential campaign.  This print is currently available through the Upper Playground site for $200.  Get 'er while you can!

I became familiar with Sam Flores' work last May when I was searching for the perfect birthday gift for my for my sister by soul, DJ Jazzy Beth (who at the time was preggers with her son).  It was straight-up playadipity when I received an email from the Lab101 Gallery letting me know that this limited edition print was soon to be released!  I've been a HUGE Flores fan ever since!

Monday, March 24, 2008

Art: Blek le Rat's First US Solo Exhibit!



"The first solo US exhibition of legendary street artist Blek le Rat is opening in a few weeks.

A pioneer of graffiti writers in Europe, Blek le Rat was one of the first people to use stencils to make public art on the street using icons instead of writing his name."

If you're a Banksy fan then you'll dig Blek le Rat.  

Wouldn't miss it!

Art: Knight Light Illuminati



Temporary glowstick art is righteous!

Photos: Aged Kheddarz

Despite the darkness @ The Other Room I was able to snap a few pics to document the celebration of the G's 49th twirl around the sun.  Thank goodness for Burners...someone ALWAYS has a flashlight (or two) on hand!


Flash-lit-















Beer Goggled-















Otter Warhol-



























BYOP(izza)-



























Wine'ers-















Thanks to everyone who made it out...stellar turnout!

The rest of the photos from this set can be viewed here.

Friday, March 21, 2008

LOST: Meet Kevin Johnson Recaps...

Yes, I know I'm a bit behind.  This week has been crazy like that....and this weekend will be no-less insane.   So I've got to keep this post short and sweet.  Then I'll be resting my weary little head for some MUCH needed sleep.

The links:









LOST is on break until April 24th and will resume at that point with the last 5 episodes of the season (damn that writer's strike)!  

Art: Skullphone Digital Billboard In Los Angeles
















Within hours of yesterday's post about Skullphone's digital billboard hacks (or paid ads?) popping up around LA I had my very own sighting at the intersection of Westwood and Olympic.  I was totally caught off guard and scrambled to grab my camera but as quickly as Skullphone appeared...he then disappeared.  Unfortunately I had to move along before getting my shot.

Later that evening while heading home I pulled into the strip mall at the Westwood/Olympic intersection with camera in hand.  I got out of my car only to find 3 other Urban Culture Geeks already camped out on the corner snapping pics of Skullphone's handy work.  Curtis, Michael and Quiet Dude (whose name I didn't get) were there shooting for a local Urban Culture Zine ( Vs, Verses, Versus?) which I'm not familiar with...help me out here guys!  I asked them if they they'd seen any other billboards and Michael immediately started rattling off intersections.  Yep, those Dudes were all over it...

Would love to hear more about whether this is a brilliant hack job or simply paid-for adverts by Skullphone...if anyone has any more info about this lemme know!

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Art: Introducing Uncle Dirty
















Check out this photo essay by Mike Belleme about his great uncle.  It's  left me shocked & awed!  Warning you now that this is not work appropriate material.  Fascinating nonetheless...

Art: Skullphone Hijacks Digital Billboards

Supertouch reports that Skullphone has hijacked a bunch of those obnoxious digital billboards around LA.  

Love it!  

I'll have to drive extra slow past the one on Wilshire tonight enroute to Happy Hour.  I SO hope it's been Skullphoned!  If so, I'll be sure to snap a pic.

Bravo!

Art: Maker Faire Austin Mini-Documentary


Makers - A short-subject documentary about the Do-It-Yourself Counterculture from Brian Boyko.

This documentary about the recent Austin Maker Faire has me even MORE excited about attending the Bay Area Maker Faire this May!  For those who aren't familiar with the Maker Faire (or Make Magazine)...think Urban Burning Man.  Many of the innovations showcased at this event are things I've seen (or will see) out on the Playa.  The Maker Faire offers up the opportunity to get up-close and personal with the artists/Makers behind these mind blowing creations.  Can't wait!

The Deets:
May 3 & 4, 2008
San Mateo Fairgrounds
(Discount tix available until 4/25)

More fire?  
Yes, please!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Friends: HAPPY B-DAY KHEDDARZ!!!



























(The Homeslice Tower - 8/2007)


Yep, it's G's Birfday today!  w00t!!!

Happy 49th twirl around the most glorious Star in our solar system, Old Man!!!  It's been requested, by The Man Himself, that I DO NOT use his likeness on my blog (Boy, fame REALLY does go to some people's heads!) so instead I've chosen to let the 8th Wonder of the World (The Tower) as well the First Wonder in G's World (The Monster) reprezent!  It, seriously, seems like yesterday that you were turning 40 years young...where does the time go?!  

Can't wait until tonight to get my drink on with you, my friend!  And I can't wait to see the look on your face when you open the gift (link to follow) I found to commemorate such a momentous occasion!

Mad Love!
Yer Biggest Fan...(next to The Monster, of course!)













(VidaBlueMonster.com 3/2008)

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Running: MILESTONE!!! (Click Here)



Back to running the Cheviot Hills Loop today...felt really strong.  I was looking forward to pounding the pavement all day because I knew this would take me over the 100 mile mark (since January 6th)!  w00t!!

I realized a couple of days ago that it's been exactly one year since I began running again.  Starting March 14, 2007 I ran regularly (and did Bootcamp) right up until the end of August when I blasted off to Burning Man.  I came back from BM the first week of September 2007 with Playa Lung and proceeded to get only a dozen or so runs in until January 6, 2008...when I started training again more seriously. 

The Stats Since January 6, 2008 
(2.5 months)...
Total Runs: 30
Total Miles Logged: 101.23 
Average Pace: 7'16"
Total Calories Burned: 9,115.62 
Weight Loss: 5lbs

Today's Breakdown...
Mile 1: 6'50"
Mile 2: 7'21"
Mile 3: 6'59"
Mile 4: 6'32"

Today's Power Song:

I need a shot 
I need a shot of ambition
I need a hit
I need a hit of nutrition
I need a fix
I need to fix my ignition
If you want to whip me into shape
I need a plan or a mission

Cause I'm gunna ride fast, going nowhere
And I left my brain in the past
I'm gunna ride fast
To where I don't care

Faa Faa Faa FA FA FA FA Faa...


Never felt better...

Photos: The Shorty Edition


















(Jazz w/ Dre & Me w/Fanny)


It seems like just about everyone I know is either expecting or recently had a baby. Here are a few pics from my recent visits with some of the families currently contributing to the progression of The Tribe.

Congrats, again, to all of my Lovelies! So blessed to have you in my life!

Fanny loves NY!

Andre, our future Graff artist!

Sojourn is definitely 100% Organic!

Violet is electric!


You're welcome to click here to see the rest of my shots of this beautiful little crew.

LOST: This Week's Sneak Peeks (SPOILER ALERT)





And an interesting bloopers(?) link from Wired.com.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Politics: Bill Maher & Tony Snow LIVE @ The Gibson

















"Prepare for a night of political fireworks as commentators Bill Maher and Tony Snow collide at the Gibson Amphitheatre. Maher hosts HBO's Real Time With Bill Maher, and previously hosted ABC's Politically Incorrect; Snow has been a nationally syndicated radio broadcaster, a frequent guest host for both Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly, a speechwrither for President George H.W. Bush, and White House Press Secretary from 2005 to 2007."

Just picked up tix to watch Bill Maher tap dance LIVE all over the forehead of Tony Snow at the Gibson Amphitheater on April 28th.  I first saw Maher live a few years back on the UCLA campus in Royce Hall.  At that time he was touring the country hosting sets of Politically Incorrect with his customary 6 person panel.  If you've ever enjoyed watching Maher on PI then you would have enjoyed seeing him in full-effect that night...seriously, no-holds-barred!  His quick wit combined with his sheer brilliance on all topics political makes my little heart go pitter-patter!  Tix for this event are (not surprising) pretty pricey.  However, GoldStarEvents.com may still have discounted tickets available if you're interested in joining us for what's sure to be a beautifully volatile evening.  Can't wait!!!

Running: My Cool-Down Song



At the end of just about every run I listen to this song by Ewan Pearson.

Life: Happy St. Patty's Day From Bill Maher!

New Rule:  Getting drunk is more important than religion.