One case in which I support capital punishment

This guy deserves it (along with the other 700 dudes on CA's death row).

That's what he said

I strongly disagree with his postscript.

Man and dog shot in home invasion

Aslan!

Pitbulls and Parolees

Has anyone else seen this show? It offers a fascinating peek into the life of a woman who hires parolees to help her rehab pitbulls and find new homes for them. A woman who describes her three weaknesses as "my husband covered in tattoos, my kids covered in tattoos, and my dogs."

Her husband (Aren!?!?), who helps her run the place (in Canyon Country), is currently in jail.

When she's not looking after dogs, Tia does a great Stevie Nicks:

Umami Burger and Street

Last Friday I ate lunch at Umami Burger (Hollywood location) and dinner at Street.

My assessment of Umami Burger is in line with the LAT review; everything was tasty but the prices are high and portions are small. I would rather go to 8 oz.

I liked Street; the menu is broad and allows you to order many plates. Their signature dish is the Kaya Toast, "toasted bread spread thick with coconut jam; served with a soft fried egg drizzled in dark soy and white pepper." It may sound wacky but the end result (once you dip the bread in teh egg) is like spruced up French toast. Yummy!

We also had the New Jerusalem Bread Salad (very tasty though the bread pieces were too crunchy), Moroccan Spiced Winter Squash (good, sweet, lots of cinnamon), and the Indonesian Peanut Noodles (my favorite, sauce was the right amount of spicy and I liked the greens).

Our waiter was very good, the ambience was ok (layout is a little weird), and decor could use improvement. What I imagine is supposed to look like cute graffiti outside just looks like bad stick figures.

Then Mike claimed to be too full for dessert, but stopped at the Yum Yum Donuts down the street for a couple glazed on the way home.

Long Beach wants to be most bike-friendly city in the US?

Cool!

Also, I would buy that shirt.

Everything that's wrong with America

A website about candy is called "Healthy Living."

Happeepness

I have read a lot of sad news lately:

A respected judge dies and the comments section can only talk about gun rights and if the Constitution is anti-God. I also saw this which was a view into a world I don't want to know.

Kids are dying (sometimes at home) and being mean, and the most recent This American Life is about what to do after your parent is murdered.

BUT this story about the first Peeps store and the link to the WaPo diorama competition photos made me smile, and I don't even like Peeps!

Bike power

Cars are officially superfluous.

Related: I want to see this but the gallery is only open during business hours. Throw me a bone!

White dreadlocks

Thank you LAT, for posting the picture with a story about protesters at the international climate summit in Copenhagen. Of course there is a white person with dreadlocks. Of course.

For worse, no husband

I liked this short profile on Evan Kleiman, and really admire how involved she is in so many aspects of the LA food/dining community.

But, this quote made me sad: "For worse? No husband, she says."

Not as sad as the final paragraph of Ariel Levys' discussion of two recently published books on feminism.

"So close. And now so far. The amazing journey of American women is easier to take pride in if you banish thoughts about the roads not taken. When you consider all those women struggling to earn a paycheck while rearing their children, and start to imagine what might have been, it’s enough to make you want to burn something."

P.S. Everyone should read Levy's piece on Caster Semeya.

VS Fashion Show 2009

Last night, as part of Mike's Purple Belt victory party, I watched the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

I have never been a huge Miranda Kerr fan but I have to declare her the winner.



I am also sad to report that Alessandra Ambrosio, who used to be my favorite, looks weird.




And, I am dying to know if Marisa Miller's breasts are real. Something about they way her cleavage comes together is suspect. But, what do I know about real cleavage?

Caramelized Onions

I like anything caramelized; however, I am surprised at how labor-intensive (and high-calorie) this is. I will probably give it a go anyway.

Good Grief

Terrifying murder in Venice on Tuesday night (here and here).

I guess the moral is never attempt to bring anything from your car into your residence.

Update here.

Nightmare Material

Call me culturally insensitive, but I find these products terrifying:

Weaves for babies


Fully-covered with only a mesh eyehole for ventilation and visibility Barbie

Jay-Z still rapping about pushing weight

Thanks to The Awl, I now understand what Jay-Z is talking about when he says "If Jeezy’s payin’ LeBron, I’m paying Dwyane Wade."



I thought I was cool enough to catch all drug references! I am officially old.

Kermit in Denim

Stood behind this guy at the Girls show at the Troubadour on Saturday night.

My job is boring

I mess around with MS Excel all day, while this guy makes hand-blown honey pots for Michelle Obama!?!

Ways to get the swine flu

You could hang out around sick people and swear that the vaccine will kill you, or go surfing on the first day of rain in months.

More reasons I am glad I don't live in a trailer

There are many, many reasons I am glad I don't live in a trailer in Venice. The likelihood of explosions during attempts at heating is one of them.

Also on the list, the fact that everyone hates you, and you live in a trailer (though better than no home at all I guess?).

Dinner last night

Balsamic braised brussels with pancetta and cauliflower gratin. Both were very tasty, though next time I might add a more fragrant cheese to the cauliflower dish to give it a little more flavor.

Amy brought cupcakes and ice cream for dessert; I finished most of the ice cream for breakfast. Thanks!

Local Natives

See them Tuesday Dec. 22 at the Echo.

Axe opens back patio!

I never even knew they had one. Now it is open for dining.

Heaven or Las Vegas

The Jerry Fuchs tribute Beats in Space podcast injected this song into my brain.



I thought they were singing in a foreign language, but it's just strange English.

Labor strike widens, shuts Louvre museum and Versailles

F'ing France.

Tip to travellers: If you go to Versailles, go directly to the gardens. Do not waste time in line for the palace itself.

Sample Sale, victory and regrets

Thanks you to Sarah for forwarding me the Daily Candy e-mail with this gem inside:


Grabbed these for $80 (allegedly $385 retail)


Passed on this for $100 (allegedly $398 retail)
And now am furious with myself, even though I own too many party dresses (though not all of them fit me due to thigh expansion).

Related: Maybe that money would be better spent on a package at Swerve

Stress fractures and the cervix in NYT health

So maybe I really should be running barefoot? That may never happen, despite what my spirit animal says.



Fewer Pap smears for younger girls seems ok to me based on their reasoning, but I wonder how many girls who should get Pap smears never do.

Ugly or cute?

For placemats and tablecloths?

Why am I reading about marriage?

And is being close to your parents a form of infidelity to your spouse!?!?

The old ex-udders

Oh really?