Me: Those boots are so ugly, I would only wear them if I were going to Endor.
He: I would wear them to Hoth. I think they would be better for Hoth.
Me: No, clearly I would wear Uggs to Hoth. They would keep my feet warm with their fuzzies.
He: You’re right, Uggs are the perfect shoes for Hoth. Maybe Luke and Han would’ve made it with Uggs.
Originally uploaded by findcandice.
I hadn’t been to a big show like Manu Chao in a long time, and it was the first time I’d been to a concert at the Shrine Auditorium, where earlier in the year they had held the Miss Universe pageant. I had been the Shrine ages and ages ago once for a sucky monthly comic book convention, but that was about it. Manu Chao, the man himself, had not played in Los Angeles in about five years, due to visa problems I’d heard. His lyrics are very political and damning against most countries’ immigration policies, so that hadn’t helped. I never thought we’d get to see him in the States, honestly. But I am signed up on a number of lists which notify you when bands you like are going to be in town, and as soon as I saw the email about Manu Chao, I jumped on it.
We even managed to get the best free space ever — a spot right in front of the venue, avoiding the hefty $20 parking fee. Even the people standing in line were friendly. The Shrine Expo Hall is huge. Outside, the organizers of the show had kindly allowed a number of vendors to sell their wares, which included lots of political hats and tees, jewelry, incense, and the like. There was also beer, alcohol, tacos, hotdogs, and pretzels to had. And port-o-pottys!!! Which normally I wouldn’t be excited about, but at a concert, seriously, the more bathrooms, the merrier. It always sucks to miss a song b/c you’ve been in line forever in the girls’ restroom.
Okay, onto the show — it was fantastic! The energy was incredible! There were so many people there, and everyone knew all the words… I was kind of aggro about keeping my place in the front as I am very short but it was all good. It was really hot from all of the people but really such a cool experience. At once point, this guy who had been standing by me most of the night was talking to a girl. I thought they were friends. Next thing I know, he and someone else helps her jump over the fence near the front of the stage, and she looks like she’s just gonna go out the back of stage — but NO!!! SHE RUNS UP THE STAIRS ONTO THE STAGE!!!! SHE HUGS MANU CHAO!!! SHE STAYS AND DANCES AND SINGS AND IT’S INCREDIBLE!!!! IT’S LIKE ALL OF US ARE UP THERE WITH HER, HUGGING AND DANCING WITH MANU CHAO!
A security goes up and after her, but she clings to Manu Chao — the security guard manages to pull her harder so she has to let him go… and then MANU CHAO REACHES OUT TO HER, SAVING HER FROM THE SECURITY GUARD!!!! It was crazy wonderful.
To see a snippet of his live performance, please click here. Apologies for the shaky recording, it was really hard to stop dancing during the show!!! 
Manu Chao is coming… Manu Chao is coming… TONIGHT! At the Shrine Exposition Hall. He hasn’t been in the States in 5 years or something! Kinky is opening for him. I am so excited!!!
Listen to him live on Morning Becomes Eclectic, 2001:
http://www.kcrw.com/cgi-bin/db/kcrw.pl?show_code=mb&air_date=4/12/01&tmplt_type=show
I’m very frustrated right now. I was just going to import all over my Movable Type entries to here, but in the process of trying to do that, I’ve discovered that my blogs have been completely overrun by stupid trackback pings placed by SPAMMERS!!!! It is totally ridiculous. So lame.
Today we were out shopping for a birthday present for J’s stepmother when I found a cookbook that was exclusively macaroni and cheese recipes. Inside was that wonderful quote by one of my favorite directors. I’ve been having some trouble with Movable Type lately and had been told that WordPress was easy to use, so here I am! Hopefully I can transfer some of my old entries over. As you can tell, you can look forward to many food pictures to come.
I did the most American thing I could think of yesterday for July 4th — J and I went to go see a movie about an illegal immigrant that repeatedly saves America from doom… And then we bought rekkids. ‘Cause we be consumer whores like that. W00t!
current obsession: http://www.flickr.com/photos/findcandice
yes, i am looking forward to ala…
me: i just like the name rudolfo for a hurricane
he: i like the name floyd
me: they’re brothers
me: floyd is the comic one
me: and rudolfo is the romantic
he: ha ha ha
oh, and how could i forget one of the best worst lines ever:
“His reputation for secrecy was exceeded only by that of his deadliness.”
-Dan Brown, Angels and Demons
This line is even FEATURED IN AN EXCERPT ON HIS SITE!!!
don’t get me wrong, i really enjoyed the da vinci code. how could you not like any book that is the equivalent of harry potter for adults? so i started reading angels and demons. which i am also enjoying. but sheesh louise… if that is what his reputation is, how could anyone ever track him down to hire him as their h/assassin?!?!?
Many things have happened since I last posted.
1. There was a Dengue Fever show @ Tangier, which I took pictures of, even though I was more than a little drunk.
2. I managed to survive finals and another quarter of library school somehow and even managed to get some decent grades in the process.
3. I turned another year older while on an international plane flight which by the way, is a horrible way to spend your birthday. The aftermath, however, was quite pleasant, and pictures will be posted eventually of our Holiday in Hong Kong (TM) (R) (C).
4. Jeremy also turned a year older (MU HU HA HA HA) and pictures from that will also be posted in a timely fashion hopefully.
5. Another quarter has started and so far it has also been quite pleasant. Of course it’s only first week so I haven’t gone mad yet, we’ll see what happens as time goes on. I’m sure my 4 classes plus work plus volunteering will lead to suicidal thoughts soon.
6. *whispers* I got a new cell phone. Everyone rejoice. I will actually be able to hear it ring now, hopefully.
7. I spent too much money on things this weekend like cookbooks and comics and cds and food (incl. cheese!). My favorite things.
More later.
Okay, so Feb. 3 we went to Haru Ulala.
Feb. 7 we went to Mr. Cecil’s Ribs.
Feb. 10 we went to Gyu-Kaku in Beverly Hills. I know that sounds bourgie but really it’s because Jeremy and I have started carpooling a lot and that Gyu-Kaku is very close to my work and has a loverly happy hour ($0.99 Kirin draft and other specials bay-bay!)
Gyu-kaku is a yakiniku restaurant, which means that it’s basically Japanese-style Korean BBQ. You order little meat, fish, poultry or veg dishes in different marinades and you grill everything yourself. Korean BBQ is a better deal normally but Gyu-kaku has different marinades and better cuts of meat generally.
For the first time ever, we decided to forego the prix fixe combo we normally order, and ordered individual items. We started off with some Ahi Poke. It is Ahi sashimi with a little spicy soy on a bed of seaweed. Very refreshing!
Oh and beer.
This was my attempt at an artsy extreme close-up of my beer:
We also ordered some asparagus to grill:
Mmmm… Garlic kalbi…
The garlic kalbi on the grill. I had a special method for making sure I didn’t lose any garlic as I placed the pieces on the grill — I wrapped each piece up like a little burrito with the garlic safely esconced inside and gently unrolled the piece on the grill. Which worked until Jeremy flipped the pieces over to grill the other side. The bastard. 
We also ordered some scallop and shrimp:
One of the best things we ordered was Kobe Toro which for some reason, I don’t have any pictures of. I think it’s because we only threw it on the grill for maybe 15 seconds before eating it. ALL.
Finally, probably my second favorite thing, which resembles a backdrop to a 60s sci fi movie, the mushroom medley. If it was a planet, I would definitely like to live there.
Finally, we went to La Frite in Sherman Oaks for Valentine’s Day (sorry no pix) and the BCD Tofuhouse on Wilshire and Kingsley yesterday (also no pix).
We need to start eating at home!!!
Well, we’ve had a busy couple of weeks of eating which has greatly contributed to my slacking in terms of updating this site. (It’s kind of like that kid’s book If You Give A Mouse A Cookie — if you give me lots of food, I will probably want some beer to go with it, and something fried and maybe a salad and some dessert and then I will want to watch a movie and then… etc.)
Anyway, Friday, Feb. 3rd marked our second trip to Haru Ulala, but this time as part of the Art Center Asian Alumni Alliance (ACAAA) Supper Club (TM) (C) (R).
Okay, so there really is no Art Center Alumni Asian Alliance (that I know of anyway) but most of the peeps who are part of the Supper Club really are alumni (and Asian) from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. And of course, all of us are foodies. Anyway, that was a very successful meeting, with 12 people in attendence, 10 pitchers of beer, and 3 orders of each dish! Afterwards, we wreaked havoc at Cosmos Karaoke Bar, pretty much getting kicked out. So that was nice. Some pictures are up at the Supper Club site, but really we spent more time eating, drinking and gabbing than taking pix.
A few days later, Jeremy and I pigged out at Mr. Cecil’s Ribs on Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks.
We started off with their delicious hushpuppies. We first tried them at an event we attended for Jeremy’s work — the Concern Foundation’s 2005 Block Party/Fundraiser. Mr. Cecil’s Ribs were one of over 40 restaurants that had tasting booths at the event and they were and still are the best hushpuppies I’ve ever tasted.
Hedonists that we are, we dipped them in the accompanying butter. Don’t ask me how I’ve lived this long eating like this.
The main entrees, which we shared, were one rack of the St. Louis style ribs and one rack of the baby back ribs.
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