I had to go to San Diego for a meeting yesterday. Got to see a bunch of old friends & colleagues, and it was a picture perfect day. Parvesh and I had lunch at the Del Coronado, and it was just as gorgeous as when Vivek and I were there last summer. Such a pretty place! Afterwards, I drove up to meet my cousins for dinner.
Boo yah!
Chocolate chip faced Andy
Remember that speeding ticket I got last summer? Well I finally got around to signing up for traffic school before the February 17th deadline. Unfortunately, because I got the ticket behind the Orange Curtain, I couldn’t take traffic school online. So when I looked at the list of state approved classes, this is what I found:
The “Gay Community Traffic School” is coincidentally the closest one to my house. 
When I called them, the queen on the phone was very friendly. He told me that the only day available before my deadline was February 14th from 9-5. I said, “Fine, I’ll take it”. Then he paused dramatically and said “You know that’s Valentine’s Day, don’t you??” I laughingly told him I was aware that February 14th was Valentine’s Day, and then he actually asked me if I had a Valentine! I kind of stuttered in disbelief, and told him “No”. After that he told me he’d call me the day before to remind me, and to show up with $32.95 in cash that morning. LOL.
Apparently this Gay Traffic School is quite popular here and in San Francisco. To wit:
Calling Erik Estrada. Gay traffic violators commiserate, cruise, and discharge their points at Joey Randall’s Gay…community Traffic School. For eight hours, students trade traffic jokes and play “Traffic School Jeopardy.” Randall says classes are bumper-to-bumper because “people know they’re going to meet others they might be interested in.” An instructor at Randall’s L.A. school teaches in drag, so watch what you say about women drivers. Classes meet weekly. Call (800) 429-4968.
Maybe my instructor will be the one in drag?! Now that would be blog-worthy!
Me with future world famous video game designer Daniel Chan
Then we went to Chinatown to celebrate Chinese New Year, but I didn’t see an ox, just these turtles!
Poolside at The Standard Hotel, downtown Los Angeles
I wish they would have told me I still had the damn Bluetooth in my ear!
Taken from the car at 60 mph
The aptly named Sunset Blvd.
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Carey Anthony |
| From: Sabine | Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 5:50 PM | |
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To: GLY Friends
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Here’s where we’ll be staying. I’m not sure where we’re all going to sleep. About 25 have already RSVP’d!! Hooray for Frequent Flyer Miles!
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Carey Anthony |
| From: United Airlines | Sun, Jan 25, 2009 at 9:16 AM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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To: Carey Anthony
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West Hollywood, California (January 19, 2009) – West Hollywood firemen doused an apartment fire that destroyed one unit and made five others unlivable Sunday, reviving two lifeless pets in the aftermath.
A plugged in laptop left on a carpet while the tenant walked her dog exploded into flames at 1169 Orange Grove Avenue in WeHo around 5:00 pm Sunday evening, said Station 7 Captain Ric Brandelli. He told WeHo News that his men located a yellow lab and black tabby on their secondary search of the premises, both apparently overcome with smoke inhalation. After removing the pair to the street, paramedics began what seemed, initially, to be futile efforts to revive them. “We worked on them for quite a while, and it didn’t look like they would make it” said Capt. Brandelli, “and then the cat began breathing on its own and ran away.”
He said his cohort turned its attentions to the dog, a 16-yr old, again with no results to show for precious minutes.Then, to everyone’s relief, “the dog started breathing on its own and stood up to walk around,” he said. The cat and dog resided with the woman whose laptop began the conflagration. Capt. Brandelli said that she was not present for the cat’s resuscitation, but witnessed the dog’s. “No words can describe the relief in the lady’s expression,” he said. As a pet guardian and animal lover himself, (see Firemen Of The Sunset Strip 2009 Calendar Benefits Animal Rescue – Monday, December 22, 2008 for more) he said he and his fellows got a special thrill out of the experience. “We were all relieved and glad,” he said. He reported no other injuries. Read more…
David & Hyun Ju flew back from Vegas tonight and we went to Hollywood & Highland for dinner and then to Universal Studios to finally see Gran Torino. It’s described as a humorous, touching and intriguing old school parable and I loved it. I’m curious to know what my readers thought though (especially my Asian readers)? Were its portrayals of the Asian community (specifically the Hmong) fair? Volumes have already been written about this, and I need not rehash them here. If you’ve seen the movie, I’d be curious to know what you think. Though over acted at times by the principles, I felt it touched brilliantly on themes of racism and stereotypes; unlike any movie in recent memory (certainly not any Hollywood fare). The theater we were in was filled with many different races and people were laughing at some of the more overt jokes and crying during the sad parts (myself included). Without giving anything away, the payoff for me came at the end, with one of the characters driving the Gran Torino (and everything it symbolizes), down a Midwest highway. There’s hope in this movie. Just like in Slumdog Millionaire and just like in the inauguration of our new president. And with the way things have been going lately, I’m all for anything that gives us a little hope! Here are some photos from tonight:
The Kodak Theater (Home of the Oscars) (L) & Universal Studios (R)
911 Dispatcher: 911 What is your emergency?
Me: Yes, I’m at the corner of Fountain & Olive in West Hollywood and a woman crashed her car into my front yard.
911 Dispatcher: Is anyone hurt?
Me: I’m not sure. I think she’s OK, but she doesn’t speak English and she’s very upset. A West Hollywood Parking Attendant called you 15 minutes ago to report the accident and there’s still no one here. The woman is crying and we don’t know what she’s saying. Can you please send an officer who speaks Bulgarian or Russian?
911 Dispatcher: We have no report of an accident at that address.
Me: Well you do now. Can you send someone? She’s very upset.
911 Dispatcher: Is the other driver there?
Me: There was no other driver. As far as I can tell she was pulling out of a parking spot and didn’t realize her car was in reverse. She floored it to go up the hill, but went backwards and knocked down a metal sign pole and ended up in my front yard.
911 Dispatcher: What kind of car is she driving?
Me: A burgundy Mitsubishi and the other car is an Escalade.
911 Dispatcher: What other car?
Me: Oh, she did some damage to as Escalade as she was backing up.
911 Dispatcher: Is that driver there?
Me: No, the Escalade was parked. I don’t know who owns it. Can you please send someone quickly. This woman is very upset. Her hands are shaking so bad, she couldn’t even dial 911. I finally helped her call her husband. He’s on his way. We’ve been waiting about 20 minutes now.
911 Dispatcher: We have units on the way. Will you stay with her?
Me: Yes
911 Dispatcher: OK, they will be there soon.
In the meantime I went to a Russian couple’s house in the neighborhood to see if they could help. I figured since Russian and Bulgarian are both Slavic languages, maybe my neighbor could help calm the woman’s nerves (plus the woman did communicate that she spoke some Russian). Unfortunately, of my two neighbors only the wife speaks English. Her husband didn’t understand what I was saying and I gathered that his wife wasn’t home. When I went back outside the police still weren’t there!
911 Dispatcher: 911 what is your emergency?
Me: Yeah, I called 8 minutes ago about an accident that happened a half an hour ago and the police still aren’t here.
911 Dispatcher: Yes, I just talked to you 5 minutes ago, they are on there way.
Me: It was 8 minutes ago, and they’re not here. This is ridiculous.
911 Dispatcher: Sir don’t argue with me.
Me: I’m not arguing with you. I’m stating facts.
911 Dispatcher: You know this call is being recorded?
Me: I don’t care if it’s being recorded. I’m a taxpayer who’s just trying to be a good Samaritan. This woman doesn’t speak English. I have no idea if she’s hurt or not. We’ve been standing out here for 1/2 an hour….
911 Dispatcher: Sir….(She speaks over me and I have no idea what she’s saying.)
Me: Don’t interrupt me, I’m speaking.
911 Dispatcher: / Sure we have other emergencies…CLICK
Just then the woman’s husband drives up. He gets out of his car and speaks to her in Bulgarian. He seemed upset with her, so I started taking some video with my camera. Sorry about the quality, I was trying to be discreet. Does anyone understand Bulgarian? It seems he’s being pretty hard on her, but I don’t know what he’s saying:
Finally the police showed up. I let the woman’s husband explain what happened, even though he wasn’t there. Then I told them what I knew: I was sitting at my desk working and I heard a loud crash. At first I thought it was an earthquake, and when I saw what had happened I ran outside to see if I could help. I told them about the 911 calls and that I was upset that the 911 operator hung up on me. They said I shouldn’t have called from my cell phone because they don’t automatically know where I am. (They don’t???) Whatever. So much for trying to help. I went inside and made dinner. Since my patio doors were open, I heard everything that happened after I went inside. Apparently the Bulgarian woman is a nanny for a girl who lives across the street from me and she was leaving work when she crashed her car. Then the woman who owned the Escalade came out. She was remarkably nice about the whole thing and tried to comfort the Bulgarian woman. I’m not sure I would have been so forgiving had it been my car she hit. I guess that’s a lesson in compassion for me. Actually there was remarkably little damage to the Escalade:
The whole situation really pissed me off. I live in a supposedly affluent city with top rate police and fire protection. I would like to think that had the woman been injured they would have been there immediately, but have you ever heard of a 911 operator hanging up on someone? Crazy. I felt bad for the driver. She was so confused. It kind of reminded me of another woman driver I blogged about on July 1st, 2007. This one however, I had NO sympathy for:
The building is FUGLY anyway. Maybe they’ll repaint it. It’s filled with vapid commercial actresses who are always letting their dogs shit in my yard and not picking it up. I wish she have done more structural damage!
So…never a dull moment around here!
My bad mood eased a little however, when I came in and saw this on the news:
So, as long as the Bulgarian mafia doesn’t try to kill me for taking that video, I’m going to bask in my Obama glow. It’s a new day!
In 12 hours, our long national nightmare will be over and America will begin a healing process that will hopefully restore our tattered reputation around the world.
The forty-fourth presidential inauguration will herald a new era for intellect in the United States. No longer will conjecture and gut instincts substitute for empiricism and analysis. In front of millions around the world, science will be given new breadth, non-believers will be put on equal footing with the faithful and education will be promised true reform.
Sean McManus
Executive Editor, Bigthink.com
We even played “Pin the Tail on the Ass’s Ass” with a “Mission Accomplished” tail on Dick Cheney protruding from W’s ignorant ass! Luckily the kids didn’t read the poster!
Mission not quite accomplished
Even Betsy was celebrating earlier tonight
President Bush and his friends celebrated the end of his term with a party of their own at Glen Echo Park. Slate went, for some reason, and their account makes the whole thing sound like the most depressing event in the world. The party, dubbed “Crossing the Finish Line” and held in the park’s giant Spanish Ballroom, was organized by outgoing White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and his predecessor, Andy Card.
The venue had been somewhat controversial, according to attendees. There was no heating, so a lot of bodies were needed. “Due to the historic nature of the venue, there are limitations on what can be done in terms of climate control,” the hosts warned in an email. “DO: Wear layers and coats. DON’T: Dress like you’re going to Gold Cup or Smith Point.”
Apparently some of the more climate-controlled venues had been taken. “There weren’t a lot [of places] available,” said Card. “There weren’t a lot of bands available, either.”
So, basically, everyone was rubbing against each other for warmth and totally unemployed. Just contemplate the multitudes that are contained in this single depressing sentence: “One outgoing Treasury employee had already landed a job as a manager at Abercrombie & Fitch.” The Great Gatsby could have ended with that line.
Anyway, there they all mingled, freezing their asses off, as Karl Rove talked about Twitter, Alberto Gonzalez walked around with a bloodshot eye, and the president mangled some more grammar.
Look, people, if you are out the next two days, and you see these mopes walking all despondent down the street, for God’s sake, take them out a plate of canapes or something and call it national service. Then wish them luck at their new jobs, folding on, sweaters against the sale rack, borne back ceaselessly into the past.
Friday night after work I flew from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City. While I was waiting to go through security at LAX, Slash from Guns N Roses cut in line in front of me (he had an airport escort) and they opened a new lane for him and his family. He was traveling with his wife and two kids (really cute kids…one was named London), and two nannies. He ended up being on my flight, and amazingly, he flew coach. (I guess the last album didn’t do that well!) When I got to Salt Lake, Drew & Christine and their new baby Lance picked me up. We went to their house and I played with their Great Dane, Betsy and we had a nice dinner. Today we drove over to Park City for the Sundance Film Festival, where we hob knobbed with Paris Hilton, Kevin Bacon, Nick Cannon (Mr. Mariah Carey), Linda Hogan and more. It was a cold, clear, beautiful day!
I took this through a glass window
Story of my life…LOL
The Abominable Snowman from “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer“
Having a hot chocolate at the ice bar
Betsy actually just finished a yawn in the second photo
Betsy & her shadow
David & Hyun Ju arrived at the Hotel Careyfornia on Tuesday by way of Germany. Hyun Ju had actually flown from Korea to Germany and then they flew to Los Angeles together from Hamburg. When they arrived, they were hungry so we decided to walk down the street to the local sushi bar on the corner. I had taken Chazz to the dog park for about 2 hours to make sure he was tired and that he would just sleep while we were gone for an hour. Unfortunately though, before David & Hyun Ju arrived, I had picked up all of Chazz’s toys and put them in his little toy box. I don’t know if he just forgot where his toybox was, or if he was just pissed that two new people came to the house and I left with them…but this was the scene I returned to:
Talk about puppy dog eyes!
Admittedly I staged this photo, but he really tore out the page on Animal Aggression!
Last night we had dinner on Sunset and took Chazz with us. I guess he got what he wanted. He even got a trip to Pinkberry afterwards where I practiced keeping him off leash while we were inside. He did so well, though he did manage to slip into Pinkberry a few times!
My friend Marc told me the other day that my blog should be called:
OK fine, point taken! I guess he’s right…guilty as charged. I’m the kiddy, puppy, sunny anti Palin blogger. The pictures I took Sunday and Monday are of a kid (Hannah), dogs (Garbo, Ruby & Chazz) and a sunset. LOL. I guess I should be amazed that anyone still reads this blog (besides mothers and pet owners of the aforementioned, vampires and Levi Johnston (Sarah Palin’s future son-in-law.)).
Whatcha talkin’ ’bout Garbo??
Miss Golden Globe 2024
Last night in front of Rage
And speaking of Sarah “The Anti-Christ” Palin, this was on Huff Post today:
To speak with anyone who’s ever been in close proximity of Sarah Palin for any length of time, there is a constant thread in their commentary: she will say anything, lie about anything, if it is to her own benefit to do so. Much has been said or written about this during the campaign, particularly by The Atlantic’s Andrew Sullivan, so there’s no sense in going over any of this sordid record here.
But just when you think that Palin can’t top herself–I mean the execution of a turkey in Wasilla is a pretty tough act to follow–here she comes again, seated down with a right-wing, self-promoting “filmmaker,” John Ziegler, taking cheap-shots at the likes of Caroline Kennedy and Katie Couric. The bitterness and envy and mean-spiritedness just ooze from her pores throughout the interview. Read more…
But lest you think I’m a 4 trick pony, don’t forget that from January to May you probably have to add one more moniker to my blog…American Idol. LOL.
Yes, once again, American Idol is upon us. At its best, the show extols the American Dream. At its worst, it brings out the schadenfruede in all of us. Due to my proximity to the show, I tend to get a lot of blogworthy material every season. Whether it’s my photos from the finales, or my take on some of the ridiculous aspects of the show and the culture that has sprung up around it. I am curious to know if there will be changes as a result of the suicide in front of Paula Abdul’s house. I always knew that being mean to mentally unstable people could have disastrous results. I mean, just listen to these actual Simon Cowell insults:
Each year I think it might be the end of the show’s popularity, and each year brings a new Sanjaya, Danny Noriega or Jason Castro. (Actually, this year, it’s Jason Castro’s brother and Adam Lambert.) Anyway, I’m sure I’ll be attending a show or two this year, and will run in to these wannabe celebrities all over town. So stay tuned if you’re so inclined.
It’s a big day here in Hollywood, as the Golden Globes start in about 3 hours. Santa Monica Blvd. is jammed with limos already. To celebrate, I took Chazz to the dog park where he met what could have been the Golden Globes mascot, a Golden Retriever mix named Brockton. (Here’s a video of them playing if you’re interested.) Yesterday, he had a playdate with his friend Weho, and also met one of the stand-ins from Marley & Me!
Faceoff!
Get him Chazz!
Got him!
Can’t we play some more??
