Jah Love

Wall art in Los Angeles, CA.

Found Flyer

I encountered this flier while living in Los Angeles. It was issued around New Years, 2002 as part of a campaign to discourage residents from discharging firearms into the air while celebrating New Years.

I thought it was funny in 2002 because it seemed like such a common sense non-issue, but these days, who knows? It would probably be construed as government overreach.

flyer, front.

flyer, back.

Pastey Whyte

Wall art, Melrose Ave., Los Angeles.

Pastey Whyte.

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Los Angeles, CA; Nov. 2012.

Jon Spencer.

Danbai

While I was in the bathroom taking pictures of my mouthwash, I thought My bottle of Danbai shampoo from L.A.'s chinatown was also worth a post.

Danbai.

It only looks girly on the outside. It is actually a very hardcore shampoo that smells a lot like burning plastic when you rub it into your scalp. I almost think it was mis-bottled.

The label is mostly written in Chinese, but 4 points are clearly emphasized in English:

1. Unnecessary to add other protecting elements. It is very convenient to use.

          Comment - True. It IS easy to use!

2. Containing rare herb...and more than ten kinds of amino acid...making the hair easily combed. Keep hair black forever and soft.

          Comment - Forever!

3. The function is moderate and safe.

          Comment - Not my usual function.

4. Full of sweet scents of fresh apple.

          Comment - No, it smells like melting plastic.

[Originally posted on The Real World...Blogger Style!, Sep. 1, 2005]

Fourth of July Fireworks Review

Launched from a rubber cat's head.

Presentation and review of some of the fireworks we shot off on 4^th of July, 2002; Los Angeles, CA.

T&T Flashing Fountain: 

These were mini spark fountains, they also emitted a long tongue of flame at the end, which I'm not sure was intentional. Note they are named "T&T" instead of "TNT." That is kind of interesting.

M - Extremely flammable.

J - These should only be lit in the swimming pool.

Mini Monster: 
They were selling these 2 for 1 at the fireworks stand. The first was set off in the dirt, the second in our Chinatown burn bin.

J - These burn a long time

K - It's like Satan puking.

M - Clean & simple.

Mini Monster.

King Kong: 

King Kong & Blazing Rebel.

Jonnie carelessly lit off King Kong right next to the table full of the rest of the night's fireworks. We were lucky that none of them caught fire.

J - That was a shower of power! I'm saving the label!

K - That was way too close for comfort.

M - Jonnie is no longer allowed to place fireworks in their landing positions.

Chamelia Flower, Purple Rain, Giant Mystery Geyser.

Chamelia Flower:

M - Cheap trick.

J - Uhhhh...

Giant Mystery Geyser:

M - I didn't see that one, I was trying to take pictures.

J - The shower of sparks contained bright ribbons of liquid plasma.

K - The red sparks were like projectiles. Green & red, like Christmas.

Rose Blossom.

Rose Blossom:

We thought the packaging was interesting because, unlike the other fireworks, this one looked like a box of Miracle Grow plant food. It was almost misplaced with the gardening equipment. It was a pretty good display overall, but a huge ball of fire flew way out into the trees.

M - What was that? Nothing flies that far!

Killer Bees:

J - I love the sound effects. Loud and shrill; I guess, like a swarm of killer bees.

M - It reminds me of the band, Divisia.

Killer Bees & Razzle Dazzler.

  

Razzle Dazzler:

M - The razzle was there, but I didn't see much dazzle.

K - It razzle dazzled me.

J - It stinks a lot worse than the others.

K - It smells like a school bus on fire.


Golden Shower:

K - It makes me have to pee.

    

Bizarre:

J - Yuck, it smells like marijuana.

Golden Shower, Bizarre, Eagle Fountain.

K - Colorful & fun until it screams & blows up at you.

M - I don't like those poppy ones. Those that pop at you.

K - It's like burnt shoes.

Eagle Fountain:

J - Made in China.

M - There's no blue.

J - It's commie red & hippie green.

K - Red, White, & Green.

Flashing Wheel.

M - It's the Mexican flag.

Flashing Wheel:

We had two of these. We nailed the first one to a tree & the second to Ulysses' rubber cat.

K - It looks like a foggy morning right now.

M - Phew!.

J - I like that it comes packaged with its own nail.

Missile War & Desert Blitz.

Desert Blitz packaging.

Missile War:

M - I'm afraid of Missile War.

K - It went from all rainbow & nice, to...I don't know...the Apocalypse!

Desert Blitz:
K - Similar to the last one, but more dramatic.

J - There was a ceasefire. It had machine gun bursts from both sides, then it all stopped; then they started in at each other again.

M - I think Missile War is a cheap knockoff of Desert Blitz.

Starfire:

We liked the label's depiction of the burning village, like someone burnt the house down playing with fireworks.

Starfire, Mad Dog, Twin Peaks, Laser Dragon.

M - That one was like an experienced lover.

K - I need a cold shower.

J - You should cover your eyes for that one.

Twin Peaks:

M - That one invaded my personal space.

K - Who killed Laura Palmer?

Laser Dragon:

J - Long-lasting, but monotonous.

K - Reminded me of popcorn.

Knife Day

[From RW...BS's "Knife Day"]

I have 2 knives of note -

1. My first knife ever:

My first knife ever.

This was a gift from my father when I was 6 years old or so. The little metal plate says "Old Timer" and I've placed it on a bag of small flour tortillas for scale.

It is notable for not having a safety lock, so if you're not careful, the blade can close on your fingers while you're cutting something. Strange choice of gift for a six year old child. It taught me at a very early age to be careful when using knives.

2. Ulysses' Death Knife:

Ulysses' Death Knife.

I acquired this knife in Los Angeles when Ulysses (the guy who rented the basement of Miski's house) moved out and left it stuck in a tree. Miski didn't want it, but said I could have it. It is also placed on the same bag of small flour tortillas for scale.

I still use knives when needed, but I don't always use cutting boards. Somewhere along the line, I've acquired the habit of cutting vegetables while holding them in my hand.  I did this with a bell pepper at my Chinese Professor's house when she invited the class over and she was startled and horrified.  I keep my home knives pretty dull, but hers was super sharp, so that's probably why she over reacted.

[Originally posted on The Real World...Blogger Style!, Sep. 3, 2005]

Fan Hat

It's a hat:

Hat.

It's a fan:

Fan.

It's a fan hat:

Fan hat.

A hat that collapses into a fan! A fan that expands into a hat!
Folds up to fit in your back pocket!
Beat the heat in style.

Aerial view.

Thank you, Chinatown!

[Originally posted on Rebel Leady Boy, June 22, 2005]

Wall Art

Wall Art, Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA.

Grenade.

Curb Appeal

Everything you need, right here.

FU w/ Xtra Cheese

Sarah's guest check book from work.

Did you know waitresses wrote such things in their guest check books?

Sarah's guest check book from work.

[Originally posted on I'm Nacho Steppinstone, Feb. 2, 2004]

Paper Uderwear

I don't endorse many products, but cheap, disposable, paper underwear from L.A.'s chinatown is an exception.

$1.75 for a 5-pack and that will get you through a work week.

It also looks hilarious when you wear it because it's see-through.
It's also surprisingly just as comfortable, if not more so, than cloth underwear.

I've test-worn them a few times, but consider them mainly a novelty item.
I still have some if anybody wants any.

Caesar & Sarah receiving the gift of paper underwear for Christmas.

[Originally posted on I'm Nacho Steppinstone, Mar. 27, 2004]

What's Good About Hollywood?

Superheroes in the streets!

[Originally posted on I'm Nacho Steppinstone, Dec. 24, 2003]

Ceiling Tile Art

In Los Angeles, we were invited to paint on the ceiling tiles of a band practice room.

Here are my contributions:

New Sweater.

Introducing Red.

Welcome.

Bok Bok.

Grass.

Bonus:  Here is a photo of a knife stuck in the ceiling of that same band practice room:

Knife in the band room ceiling.

Eat More Gyros

Gyros signs of southern California: "Eat more gyros."

OK!

Laguna Beach.

Los Angeles.

Chinatown Sticker Machine

This is a sticker sheet depicting me and Kelley trying to figure out this Japanese sticker machine in Chinatown. We accidentally snapped the photo while sifting through border options.

[Originally posted on I'm Nacho Steppinstone, Dec. 19, 2003]

Something You Don't See Everyday

Somebody set up this shrine in our local dog park:

The sign reads, "In Memory of All Dogs Killed at Hiroshima and Nagasaki."

[Originally posted on I'm Nacho Steppinstone, Dec. 14, 2003]

Leaving Los Angeles

My new rental in Orange County is good to go. I'll be driving carloads of stuff over there next Wednesday. MLIS classes start back up in a couple of weeks.

Leaving East Los Angeles behind, I will really only miss the amazing late night taco trucks and food stands. Best tacos ever, no contest.

I guess I will also miss the commercial murals that are painted on many of the local independent stores to advertise products.

Like this one:

Cat in a stew, pig serving sandwiches.

 And their blatant disregard for copyright law:

Tweety bird with a giant glass of juice.

Winnie the Pooh with a beverage next to a cornucopia of fruit.

Tube of Colgate over the store entrance door..

One guy used to have Wolverine painted on his liquor store, but it has since been painted over.

A weird, fairly common, motif is to show happy animals being cooked, like there will be a painting of a cow or pig being cooked in a pot over a fire with a big smile on their face.

[Originally posted on I'm Nacho Steppinstone, Jan. 15, 2004]

Xmas Party

I have to go to the company Christmas party today goddammit. I had no intention of attending, but my boss is shrewd and will be giving out paychecks at the Christmas party. If you skip the Xmas party, the office is closed the rest of the week & you're assed-out on your check. I'm still not so sure I'll go though. Maybe I'll flip a coin.

**UPDATE**

OK, I'm going to the company Christmas party. Ready to walk out the door right now. I'm bringing my gift, it's a hand flipping the bird. Can't wait to see who gets randomly chosen to receive my gift:

Merry Christmas, fucker.

[Originally posted on I'm Nacho Steppinstone, Dec. 22, 2003]

Bag It Up

The awesome store bag for Secret Headquarters comic shop, Los Angeles, CA.

Secret Headquarters store bag.