Drink.Eat.Play

Paramount Studios Block Party

Location: 5555 Melrose Ave, Hollywood CA 90038

Entertainment Value: All you can drink beer, Eat.Drink.Play Beer Mug, Roach Coach gallore, live music, and sampling international hard to find beer brands
Entertainment Cost: $30
Food Cost: $10-$20 depending on what you want & which roach coach you want it from

What's cooler than an ice cold refreshing beer on tap? How about getting your own souvenir mug to drink from? Or how about getting to sample dozens of different name brands, some of which are rare, borderline weird? Hmm. Or how about walking around a New York backdrop inside the set of Paramount Studios? Well...Then how about drinking while the DJ spins live hip hop, trip hop, and pop round the clock with speakers set all around the block? Then add dozens of roach coaches serving their eccentric food items? Enter hundreds of young beer lovers like you who are there to cruise through the booze, dance to the mix, and fraternize? So what is really cooler than an ice cold refreshing beer on tap?  How about having it all? Yes, at this block party, you can pay for your beer and drink it too!

Never mind the fact that this block party gives you access into Paramount Studios, a paradise for starstruck Joes like me and a go-to site for Hollywood's best actors, producers, screen writers, extras, agents, stage developers, etc. This is where the magic all happens and it is apparently where all the magic water happens to be at on this fine occasion. Passing through side door entrance on Gower St. felt like sneaking into Charlie and the Chocolate Factory--it was exciting, it was new, and I was curious as hell as to what it would look like in there. Needless to say, I was not disappointed, although a little bit surprised. In many ways the back lot of a multi billion dollar company like Paramount studios looked mundane--I mean clean like a University dormitory, but very ordinary. I had expected some one way glass mirrors, solar powered robots hovering over ground running their errands, or at least a Saturday afternoon bombarded with busy people running around for a set. However, it was not only peaceful with scarcely a worker on site, but the offices were plain beige buildings with golden placards tagging buildings that would say "Lucille Ball" or empty carts next to big banners that said, "Congratulations to so and so for blah blah Emmy nominations". It was just all to paradoxical for me. Just like walking into the main lot, where star trailers were staggered together like the Metrobus lot on Sundays. As we almost arrived at the entry way to the New York Street back lot, to our right was the famous  Bronson Gate and to our left the Blue Sky B-Tank hungrily stealing the scenery with its massive facade of a cloud filled blue horizon putting all other backdrops to shame.

As soon we hit the NY set, the first thing I did was fill up my mug with Blue moon and with my husband's mug, Samuel Adam's Summer Ale--both well recognized brew brands in So Cal. While sipping away at the cold brew that tingled on the way down and double fisting through the crowd, I noticed the wide array of international and domestic beer brands that I've never even heard of (not that I'm a beer connoisseur or anything, but you're average Joe, aka me, would even have to do a double take on some of these eclectic brands). The range of beers go from light Pale lager such as Edison Light to American Strong ale's Arrogant Bastard. There were interesting international brew company brands like Czech's golden pilsner Bierbitzch, Japan's Sapporo, Tibetian's Chhaang, and Thailand's Singha, just to name a few. Domestic breweries such as Noble's Pale Ale, Bootleggers, Bitchcreek, and  Sudwerk also made their mark. They even had drinks that weren't beer: Sailor Jerry Rum, Naja's herbal tea, Korea's Makgeolli--a milky off white rice wine, and Honest Tea giveaways by the bottle. As someone who likes fruity, carbonated drinks, my all time favorite beer at the festival was Hornsby's red apple and green apple Cider. It was so good, that half an hour later when I went back for a second round (which is out of the norm considering there were dozens of available beer booths there), they had ran out of the green apple flavor. Hornsby's Cider had the tang of Martinelli's apple cider with the malted fuzz of beer--light, cold, and smooth. 

Not to mention the many different roach coaches out there. For those of you who don't know, roach coaches are your think outside of the box ice cream trucks and your old school taco trucks. Roach coaches are mobile trucks that travel from city to city hot spots feeding busy hungry businessmen and college students with their specialized menu items. Since the lucrative Kogi truck started, many entrepre-imitators have sprouted like California wildfire. What we have now is not only just a new wave of aesthetic enterprise but also a cultural fusion phenomenon. There were about 6-8 different food trucks at the party-- all different ethnic foods with its own unique flavor: Some highlights were:  Delicious Meat's wraps from Turkey, Kogi's Korean BBQ burrito, Dim Sum's Peking duck taco, Don Chow's Spicy BBQ pork taco (Chino-Latino fusion),  India Jones' curry, Fry Smith's Kimchi Pork Fries,  Crepin Around's fluffy sweet crepes, and Mediterranean's sweetly layered Baclava and fruit kabob.

By the second hour, I was feeling pretty good along with 200 other people there. It was getting pretty obvious that everybody was buzzin when even the vendors were smiling for the camera and giving nice compliments such as, "cool tattoo" and "pretty lady" this and that. People asked about the camera, they asked about my blog, and they asked about where we're from. The point is when people ask you personal questions in LA, that is being more than friendly--that's being buzzin friendly--and that's when you know you are at a good block party. Soon, networking started, people danced to the rhythmn of the DJ's beat, cigarettes and cigars distributed around among newly shaken hands, and spirits lifted higher and higher along with the vibrant late afternoon air. Cool magic water, cool LA air, cool music, cool setting, and cool people. All around a cool day

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Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Los Angeles Dodgers
Location: Dodger Stadium
Entertainment Value: Fan-mania, Blue Pride, and Andre Either Action Figures
Entertainment Cost: $10 for nosebleed seats
Food Cost: $8 for the best Dodgers Garlic Fries + $10 Large Domestic Beer

When you're from out of town, the quickest way to ostracize yourself from LA natives is to talk smack about two teams: the LA Lakers and the LA Dodgers. Now personally I'm not a sports expert here, but one thing I do know growing up in So Cal is that you go with the crowd--according to the laws of six degrees of separation, you will sooner or later come across a LA FANatic the minute your plane wheels hit the LA tarmac. Talking big about a rival team in front of a Los Angelian is like flaunting your peacock feathers in front of a tribe of howler monkeys--it's just going draw unnecessary attention and give us a good reason to be loud and obnoxious.

So the best thing to do is humbly accept your bobble head (if you go on bobble head nights) or action figure (in my case it was Andre Either action figure night), and go with the flow. Let's face it, you are definitely outnumbered and out-cheered when it comes to supporting your team. As a fan would say, "You're in my town!"  Seriously, they will boo you down to shame if you wear any rival team's jersey. My friend was booshamed for sitting next to his Yankee fan fiance (at least women aren't treated as harshly as men, but it sucks for the men who have to battle it out on behalf of their women). If you don't believe me, just listen to the speakers that would periodically remind the fifth level fans not to throw anything while politely making threats to "eject" us for going too far (See Fan Code of Conduct vs.Fan Fights).

When you think of $10 nosebleed tickets, you'd imagine watching the game as if you're in a 3D movie without the glasses. On the contrary, being in the highest section is visually stunning--the experience is like being suspended on the highest point of a theme park ride with a Roman Emperor's view of a gladiator worthy stadium. At five stories high, the upper level is where you can watch the game in a The Sims 3 or WarCraft Archive point of view. For the agoraphobic or acrophobic person, this is either your opportunity to face your fears or your worse nightmare. For all others, it is a riveting vantage point--the "Think Blue" stands out like the Hollywood sign on a clear canvas sky after the rain.

You'll hear the pounding cadence of, "Let's go Dodger's let's go" Clap Clap! With beer holders readily handy for this very purpose and fans flashing their LA Dodger's logo in a ritualistic gesture to defend territory. Catfights, dodgerfights, and hoobanging fights are known to break out occasionally; but with tight security peppered throughout the crowds and a push for a family safe environment, these infamous breakouts are fewer and farther in between. The family atmosphere is even more telling when comedy breaks out after an anonymous fan did a one man Jack Black-esque lip singing act to Journey's Don't Stop Believin', or the audience sings along to Randy Newman's I Love L.A. (LP Version), and every time you hear the sharp crack of a home run ball, the crowd roars in concordant frenzy.

If you plan early and arrive before the game, the best bang for you buck would be to get the one of a kind Dodger Dog or the stink yo momma's car up Garlic fries, and, of course, the domestic Budweiser Beer (Buy Home or Bye Bye). Even if you don't have Dodger Fever, the nice summer afternoon breeze, the radiant glow of the stadium lights, the sea of blue sporadically making human waves, and the excitement emanating from the stands inspires the onlooker to feel like part of a movement.

If not for a good game, if not for the hills overlooking downtown Los Angeles, if not for the mouthwatering food, if not for the overzealous fans, if not for the bobbleheads, than just do it for the LA experience. It'll be one hell of a catch.

  

Star Light, Star Bright, The Star Spangled Banner I See Tonight

Hollywood Bowl
Location:
2301 N Highland Ave
Hollywood, CA 90068
Entertainment Value: Vince Gill, Los Angeles Philharmonics conducted by John Morris Russell, and the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West.
Entertainment Cost: $12.50
Food Cost: Concession Stand prices OR BYOBAF= Bring your own beer and food!!

As they would say in Chinese, "Wah Sai", or Japanese "Bon Zai", or in English, "Whoa", in the spirit of Freedom, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, what better way to celebrate the 234th birthday of America than to be under the cool summer night air among thousands of multi ethnic Americans, celebrating the common pride we have of a nation that allows differences to be celebrated for.

As an Chinese American living in Southern California, now is the best time to give thanks to all the predecessors that has paved the way for this very moment, where I can sit next to my half Japanese, half European husband to my right, and to my left, an Irish woman who greets me with a genuine smile, in front of me an Indian woman sitting next to her Caucasian best friend,  and behind me I overhear a Korean family.  Maybe the term, "Only in America", seem old fashioned when we hear the word "melting pot", since nowadays there are many other nations whose cities rival that of Los Angeles' melting pot--Toronto, Capetown, London, just to name a few, but Los Angeles is the founding father of open arms. Whether it's taking refugees, students abroad, businessmen, or blue collar workmen, Los Angeles has morphed into the mecca of miniature nations--Little Italy, Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Thai town, Little Ethiopia, etc, and it is under the American flag, the fundamental freedoms protected under the United States Constitution that has made tonight all the more possible for a generation that accepts Chinese American as American, who if but fifty years ago, would be considered as only an American guest.

Under the iridescent lights and behind the sounds of exothermic release, thunder booming into our ears from the boundless night sky, glowing smiles widened with awe and swelling hearts danced to the tune of the Philharmonic orchestra and the Golden West band. Oohs and Ahhs in sync with the resplendent display of peonies, dahlia, crystheantheums, opening up like flowers to the sun, vibrated with the excitement of the evening.

And speaking of flowers, the highlight of the evening was when Vince Gill poured out his soul when he sang, "Face of an Angel". Even for a country music sourpuss like me, I could appreciate the sincerity of a song dedicated to a wife's smile and the simplicity of a country boy love story. The song made me feel like walking down a field of daisies hand in hand with your best friend, laying on top of a lush green hill watching the white clouds swim through the infinite blue sky.

And speaking of infinite blue sky, what better symbol of freedom than to experience music and fireworks with the alcohol of your choice. After all, it's what you want to bring--match your fireworks extravaganza with champagne, Cognac, beer, or apple cider. Whatever your style is, Hollywood bowl is like a good companion for that joyride you'd been wanting to have. The Designated Driver that let's you part it up the way parties ought to be partied. The sweet release of open air, live music, pyrotechnic stars, and your favorite celebration drink makes this experience all the more special.

Ahh, like Tupac Shakur once said, "To live in die in LA...It's the place to be."

Volleyballin and Despicable Me World Premiere

Volly'n and Watch'n
Location: Hermosa Beach and LA Live Nokia Theatre
Entertainment Value: Seabreeze workout and a "Yellow" Carpet World Premiere event
Entertainment Cost: $50 for two world premiere tickets (with all you can eat and drink popcorn and soda) + 2 LA film festival vouchers
Food Cost: All you can eat popcorn and soda

Only in Los Angeles do you get to play volleyball on the golden-peach sands of the ocean front in the morning and watch a world premiere of a movie with the directors and stars of the movie in the same theatre. This could be your typical Sunday. I don't know about you, but I sure can use more Sundays like these. 

During midday late June, the sun shines the brightest and the waters are the bluest. The morning times from dawn to about 11:00am, the cloudy skies, a.k.a. "June gloom", allows the sport goer to play safely without the sun's fiery intensity. It also allows the volleyballer to eye the ball without having to squint beneath the brightness, while still retaining that ocean wind to cool us down in between strained breathes and sweaty brows. We laughed at our own (p)atheletic prow(l)ess, we sand dived blanks, we stood dumbfounded when the ball, like a torpedo, landed on the ground sitting comfortably between two people that just stared at the ball, assuming that the other teammate would get it, then at other times, we would run headon to each other for the same ball, and we would heckle one another--"hey loser!" or "Serve it to the weakling" Funny moments such as hitting your own teammate's back when serving or calling dibs, "I got it, I got it" and seconds before the ball touches your arm, " I don't got it". Flop! Watching everybody stare at the volleyball in mid-air, some wondering "shit, not towards me" and others thinking, "In the bag sucka", is a comedic delight. 

Playing volleyball with your friends could be one option. To my right side, where the pedestrian sidewalk is, people were skating,  rollerblading, biking, dog walking, stroller jogging (babies in stroller + jogger pushing = stoller jogger), and running. To my left side, people were body boarding, sailing, swimming, tanning, and sauntering across the tides. It was a typical day at the beach on so cal--like the surety and sincerity of a church choir singing Glory, the Southern California pacfic coast will be the sunny, cool, and diverse way of outdoor sporting activities. 

Afterwards, my husband, alias Tonebone,  and I headed out to go see the world premiere of Despicable Me. This time, we didn't have to wait in the rush line for tix (learned my lesson). It took less than five minutes for us to check in, go through security, and get our 3D glasses.

At a World Premiere, did you know...

• 
  
   All popcorn and sodas are free?
• 
  
   Concierge and security is armed like the president's secret service?
• 
  
   The director makes a introductory presentation of the movie's team: i.e. writers, actors, score artists, etc. prior to the start of the show?
• 
  
   No cameras allowed? (Whyyyyy?!)
• 
  
   During the opening credits, the audience claps and shouts in approval when their favorite actor's/actress' name show up?
• 
  
  You and 7,000 other people are in the same room watching the film (the Largest theatre I've ever been to by far)?

And the cherry on top?

You are watching the same movie in the same room at the same time with the cast and crew of the movie. We were only 15 aisles down from the actors and stars (hey, hey, it's closer then where you'll be during July 9, when the theatres will open to the public)

Despicable Me Movie Review!

The movie itself? Quick humor with soft "aww" moments sprinkled throughout. Not as heart tugging as the movie, UP, but definitely one of those heartwarming lessons on finding one's purpose, in a villian's perspective. At the same time, it is likeThe Incredibles in it's parallel world where villians compete and evil plots are the norm--they even have a underground villan bank to fund in solid evil investment proposals. Overall, this movie was a action packed feel good family movie that will leave you craving ice cream and sodapop, possibly a plan to take over the world. 

Afterwards, crowds staked out behind strategic backdoor exits to the afterparty. This is where the fun really begans--it's like bird watching--it's not always about luck, it's about having enough knowledge to squat in places where the stars will come out. In our case, we didn't know zilch, but just followed where the crowd seemed to congregate and where the security seemed at it's max. Of course, when it comes to A-list celebrities, there are always elaborate escape routes and decoys. Although we did not catch Steve Carell, Julie Andrews (Mary poppins and Sound of Music)

Russel Brand, Pharell, Will. i. Am., or any of the other big names on the cast of despicable me, it was interesting to be part of the whole fan craze. You can feel the lust for star dust--just a little sprinkle on the hands or for the sight. 

 

The hungry crowd settled for what it could. Fans surrounded teen celebs like Miranda

Cosgrove and ___? (help me out here young generation). 

The best moment was when I spotted Steven Tereda from Quest Crew. I was so flabbergasted that the man walking past me was from Quest Crew, that the name slipped out of my mind. So instead, I did what any rational So Cal person would do; I stopped the guy, asked him if he was "from that dance crew". He said he was, and before I wasted any more second of his time, I got directly to the point, "Would you please take a picture with me?" I could've made small talk, but LA people are busy and efficient. He probably didn't want to know anymore about me than I would want to pester him. I got what I wanted and he moved on. Of course, this is all in my head. Maybe one day he'll find this site and give me an alternative version of his thoughts, assuming that he'll remember this moment at all.

See in the eyes of Hollywood, you are either in the know, a "somebody" or you are part of the category we call "the nobody" or the fans, the crowd, the spectators. Be prepared to spent extra TLC time with your ego at home after the lights are out and the parking lots are empty. When the star dust wears away, another magical phenomenon happens. Either you'll wake up the next day feeling depressed that you're not part of the "know" or you wake up reenergized and gun-ho about pursuing your dreams you had put off in the back storage of your thoughts. Now which type of star dust hangover will you have?