photo from eater la
photo from eater la
Friday was the big opening of the new Bond movie. I went with a group of about ten folks to the 8:30 showing at the Cinerama Dome at the ArcLight. The movie was full of action, but in the end a little disappointing. Unlike pretty much every other Bond movie, this movie was a sequel of the previous movie (Casino Royale). The movie doesn't really stand up on its own, unless you've seen Casino Royale, and that is a problem in my opinion. A big let down after the promise of the direction of the franchise given by Casino Royale.
With the fires in the surrounding areas of LA, the air quality was pretty poor over the weekend. I ended up staying inside watching football all day on Saturday. The Ducks held on in their game, the Beavers rolled over Cal, and the Trojans pulled away in the second half against Stanford. So good results all around for my friends and I.
I've got all the ingredients to make my first batch of beer in LA, but haven't gotten around to brewing yet. I do need to figure out where I'm going to put the carboy while it is fermenting though. I'll prolly move some stuff out of my tiny closet as my room is generally pretty cool. I'm going to try and motivate myself to brew tonight.
I also need to figure out what, if anything, I'm doing for Thanksgiving since I am not going home.
With the fires in the surrounding areas of LA, the air quality was pretty poor over the weekend. I ended up staying inside watching football all day on Saturday. The Ducks held on in their game, the Beavers rolled over Cal, and the Trojans pulled away in the second half against Stanford. So good results all around for my friends and I.
I've got all the ingredients to make my first batch of beer in LA, but haven't gotten around to brewing yet. I do need to figure out where I'm going to put the carboy while it is fermenting though. I'll prolly move some stuff out of my tiny closet as my room is generally pretty cool. I'm going to try and motivate myself to brew tonight.
I also need to figure out what, if anything, I'm doing for Thanksgiving since I am not going home.
Here is the list of books I've read in 2008. My goal is to finish 52 books (the equivalent of a book a week).
Total Pages Read: 9,559
Shortest book: 96 pages
Longest book: 928 pages
Fiction: 15
Non-Fiction: 10
Last book read:
26. The Echo Maker by Richard Powers. Set in Nebraska, a story about the mysteries of the brain and self. 464 pages. (Finished 18 Nov 08)
Full list below the cut:
Total Pages Read: 9,559
Shortest book: 96 pages
Longest book: 928 pages
Fiction: 15
Non-Fiction: 10
Last book read:
26. The Echo Maker by Richard Powers. Set in Nebraska, a story about the mysteries of the brain and self. 464 pages. (Finished 18 Nov 08)
Full list below the cut:
Continue reading 2008 Project List.
One of my friends was just here last weekend...this is a huge loss for the Episcopal community.
A news release from the Diocese of LA:
(Episcopal News, Los Angeles) -- The raging Montecito wildfire has destroyed historic Mount Calvary Retreat House, staff and Santa Barbara County officials have confirmed.
The resident brothers, members of the Order of the Holy Cross, and staff are safe following evacuation, said Nancy Bullock, program director for Mount Calvary, speaking by phone from All Saints by-the-Sea Church in Montecito.
Bullock said that All Saints is currently working to determine if any parishioners have lost homes in the blaze, which has claimed more than 100 residences across 2,500 acres. Bullock's husband, Jeff, is rector of the parish.
Bishop J. Jon Bruno, who is in close telephone contact with clergy leaders in the Santa Barbara area, asks the prayers of the diocesan community for all those affected by the fire. The bishop and staff of the Diocese of Los Angeles have pledged their support in assisting the coordination of fire recovery efforts. Checks, payable to the Treasurer of the Diocese and earmarked "Montecito Fire Recovery" may be sent to the Bishop's Office, 840 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90026.
Mount Calvary's prior, the Rev. Nicholas Radelmiller OHC, is leading the brothers and staff in assessing next steps of response to the fire damage.
Bullock said the brothers and staff at Mt. Calvary, were able to leave with some of the hilltop retreat house's valuable art treasures, as well as computer records, "but so much is lost."
Mount Calvary staff will assist groups and individuals in seeking alternate locations for upcoming retreats, all of which are now cancelled owing to the fire, Bullock said. The Cathedral Center retreat center in Los Angeles is available to assist this process.
At Santa Barbara's Trinity Church, rector and deanery co-dean Mark Asman is meeting with staff and volunteers to assess the situation and crisis response. Further information will be reported through the Episcopal News email list as soon as it becomes available, Asman said.
Asman said Trinity Church's rectory and parish house were able to accommodate the brothers overnight November 13. St. Mary's Retreat House, an Episcopal Church site near the Santa Barbara Mission, has also extended hospitality, although it was subject to a temporary evacuation November 13.
Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared the fire zone a disaster area as fire fighters continue to work to contain the blaze.
Mount Calvary Retreat House, with its panoramic ocean views, was founded in 1947 by the Order of the Holy Cross, based in West Park, N.Y.
--Report filed by Bob Williams, canon for community relations, Diocese of Los Angeles.
A news release from the Diocese of LA:
Historic Mount Calvary Retreat House, shown here in a file photo, was destroyed by a wildfire that started on November 13.
Bulletin: Montecito fire destroys
Mount Calvary Retreat House
(Episcopal News, Los Angeles) -- The raging Montecito wildfire has destroyed historic Mount Calvary Retreat House, staff and Santa Barbara County officials have confirmed.
The resident brothers, members of the Order of the Holy Cross, and staff are safe following evacuation, said Nancy Bullock, program director for Mount Calvary, speaking by phone from All Saints by-the-Sea Church in Montecito.
Bullock said that All Saints is currently working to determine if any parishioners have lost homes in the blaze, which has claimed more than 100 residences across 2,500 acres. Bullock's husband, Jeff, is rector of the parish.
Bishop J. Jon Bruno, who is in close telephone contact with clergy leaders in the Santa Barbara area, asks the prayers of the diocesan community for all those affected by the fire. The bishop and staff of the Diocese of Los Angeles have pledged their support in assisting the coordination of fire recovery efforts. Checks, payable to the Treasurer of the Diocese and earmarked "Montecito Fire Recovery" may be sent to the Bishop's Office, 840 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90026.
Mount Calvary's prior, the Rev. Nicholas Radelmiller OHC, is leading the brothers and staff in assessing next steps of response to the fire damage.
Bullock said the brothers and staff at Mt. Calvary, were able to leave with some of the hilltop retreat house's valuable art treasures, as well as computer records, "but so much is lost."
Mount Calvary staff will assist groups and individuals in seeking alternate locations for upcoming retreats, all of which are now cancelled owing to the fire, Bullock said. The Cathedral Center retreat center in Los Angeles is available to assist this process.
At Santa Barbara's Trinity Church, rector and deanery co-dean Mark Asman is meeting with staff and volunteers to assess the situation and crisis response. Further information will be reported through the Episcopal News email list as soon as it becomes available, Asman said.
Asman said Trinity Church's rectory and parish house were able to accommodate the brothers overnight November 13. St. Mary's Retreat House, an Episcopal Church site near the Santa Barbara Mission, has also extended hospitality, although it was subject to a temporary evacuation November 13.
Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared the fire zone a disaster area as fire fighters continue to work to contain the blaze.
Mount Calvary Retreat House, with its panoramic ocean views, was founded in 1947 by the Order of the Holy Cross, based in West Park, N.Y.
--Report filed by Bob Williams, canon for community relations, Diocese of Los Angeles.
Last night after work, I had to meet a friend that I'm consulting on some website work with. While looking for a nearby place for lunch earlier in the day, I stumbled across the Red Car Brewery, so I suggested we meet up there. I hadn't even heard of this brewery...despite looking for local breweries a few times in the course of living in LA.
I arrived a few minutes before my friend and went ahead and ordered their sampler of the 5 beers currently on tap. I'll go over my brief notes on each of them below.
Electra Lite: 4.42%. Very light, very lightly hopped. Very clean tasting. Good for a warm summer day.
Winsome Wheat: 5.74%. Nice light bodied wheat beer. Lightly hopped.
South Bay IPA: 9.04%. Nicely hopped. High alcohol level is largely hidden. Probably the best LA-area IPA I've had.
Big Red Ale: 5.74%. Nice malt forward beer. Very clean tasting (only slight aftertaste...which is largely pleasant).
Pumpkinhead Ale: 4.42%. Sweet, malt forward ale. Pumpkin flavor hidden by the maltiness. Doesn't taste artificial, like many of the Pumpkin ales on the market. They didn't have a description of the ingredients, but my guess is it includes real pumpkin and very little "pumpkin pie" spices if any.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by the beers. It would be a trek from LA proper...but since I work nearby, it could end up being a nice happy hour location.
I arrived a few minutes before my friend and went ahead and ordered their sampler of the 5 beers currently on tap. I'll go over my brief notes on each of them below.
Electra Lite: 4.42%. Very light, very lightly hopped. Very clean tasting. Good for a warm summer day.
Winsome Wheat: 5.74%. Nice light bodied wheat beer. Lightly hopped.
South Bay IPA: 9.04%. Nicely hopped. High alcohol level is largely hidden. Probably the best LA-area IPA I've had.
Big Red Ale: 5.74%. Nice malt forward beer. Very clean tasting (only slight aftertaste...which is largely pleasant).
Pumpkinhead Ale: 4.42%. Sweet, malt forward ale. Pumpkin flavor hidden by the maltiness. Doesn't taste artificial, like many of the Pumpkin ales on the market. They didn't have a description of the ingredients, but my guess is it includes real pumpkin and very little "pumpkin pie" spices if any.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by the beers. It would be a trek from LA proper...but since I work nearby, it could end up being a nice happy hour location.
It's been a full week since last week's sketch (at least its felt that way). Thursday night, I went to a screening of the movie Slumdog Millionaire (Trailer) with a friend. It is the story of a guy from the slums of Mumbai who has made it to the final question of the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. I thought the movie was great. Plus the screening was at the Fox Studios lot, which was kind of cool to see.
Saturday night, I went to a LA Kings game at the Staples Center. The game was fun, and I got to watch it from my companies luxury suite. It was my first time seeing an NHL game live and seeing anything at the Staples Center. Though the evening wasn't without problems...I just didn't know about them until Sunday. (see my post about it)
Other good notes from the weekend:
Saturday night, I went to a LA Kings game at the Staples Center. The game was fun, and I got to watch it from my companies luxury suite. It was my first time seeing an NHL game live and seeing anything at the Staples Center. Though the evening wasn't without problems...I just didn't know about them until Sunday. (see my post about it)
Other good notes from the weekend:
- I think the AT&T U-Verse technicians have finally fixed my connectivity issues on my TV and Internet services.
- The Ducks managed to pull off a last minute drive to beat Stanford.
Near the end of work last Friday, one of my co-workers sent out an email offering luxury suite tickets to the LA Kings hockey game Saturday night. Since I haven't yet been to an event at Staples Center (or an NHL game) and it was an opportunity to see a game from a luxury suite, I grabbed two of the tickets.
So on Saturday, a friend and I went to the game. One of the perks (as described by one of my roommates) of the luxury suites, is the dessert cart that goes around to all the suites. When it came around, I asked my friend if she wanted something, which she did. A decent sized slice of a "S'Mores" Cake. Prior to the game, I had stopped at an ATM to get some cash...just in case we wanted something from concessions. Of course, since I was prepared with cash, the cart didn't take cash...only cards. So I gave the guy my debit card and he authorized it (and I signed) for $9.98. A little spendy...but it was a decent sized slice of cake. Anyway, the game went on...the Kings beat the St. Louis Blues 5-3...and I took my friend home.
Sunday night, I'm out checking out a different friends artwork at a gallery opening and I get a call from my credit union. They are calling to check about possible fraudulent activity on my card. There are two charges on my card for Saturday night from Levy Restaurants @ Staples Center. One is the pre-authorization of $9.98...the other was a settled charge of $130.11. I explain to the person on the phone that I had authorized $9.98, but not the $130.11. They told me that since it was a merchant dispute, I'd have to contact the credit union during regular business hours to dispute it. When I get home and look at the receipt (to see if there is any contact info)...the phone number listed is 310-XXX-XXXX. Looking online, comes up empty as well (only a corporate office number in Chicago).
Monday morning, I call into the credit union as soon as they open at 8.30am. I get told by the phone representative that I need to fill out a form and fax it in. I do this, and call back about 45 minutes later to verify receipt of the fax and to see when a credit will be processed. This second rep is not able to verify receipt of the fax (just that it wasn't sitting on the fax machine) and tells me that it could take up to 5 business days to process a provisional credit. I tell the rep that it is unacceptable and that I'd like to speak to someone higher up. The rep transfers me to voice mail of the Manager of Central Operations "Tom" and I leave a message requesting a call back today.
Before lunch, I still haven't heard back, so I call again and this time I'm transferred to the voice mail of Sylvia, apparently the only person that processes these disputes. Again, I leave a message requesting a call back today.
I call back again after lunch, talk to a different phone rep, ask for a supervisor and again get transferred to Tom's voice mail. I leave a second message.
Having not heard anything yet, around 3pm I call again. This time the phone rep tells me that I've filled out the wrong form. I press the phone rep, "Are you sure this is the right form?" as she seemed a little unsure. I even asked if I could speak with someone who would know for sure. After a few "hmms," she decides that I do have the right form and lets me know to fax it in (to a different fax number that goes straight to Sylvia). I do this, requesting a phone call for confirmation upon receipt of the fax.
Having still not hearing anything, and business hours coming to an end, I call again around 4pm. I end up getting the same phone rep that I had talked to around 3pm. She informs me that actually she told me the wrong thing...and it is a yet a different from I need to fill out. I ask to speak to a supervisor but am not transferred. Instead she suggests that I fax this new from to both the Sylvia fax number and her supervisor (who might be able to issue a provisional credit). Again, on the fax cover sheet I request a phone call confirming receipt and I also express my frustration with the service provided today, which is causing me to seriously consider finding a new credit union.
Of course I do not get a confirmation call. So when I leave work, I call again. This time the phone rep does confirm that the supervisor received the fax (though doesn't confirm Sylvia received it). By then the business day is almost over and I'm pretty much out of options for the day.
Later in the evening, I file a complaint about Levy Restaurants at Staples Center with the BBB. I also write down my notes for a letter to the President/CEO of the credit union. I decide to wait until Tuesday to actually write the letter though (because I was so frustrated Monday night). Below the cut, I'll paste the letter I submitted and his response. As of now, besides his email response, the issue has not been resolved and I have not been contacted by anyone from credit union.
**update 3:59pm**
Just received a voice mail from the credit union. They apologized for the issues and want me to call back. So once I get out of work, I'll call back and talk to them (I've got a direct number this time. In the meantime...a provisional credit has been issued. That credit will likely be reduced by the original amount authorized once Levy @ Staples responds...but whatever.
**update #2 5:10pm**
Talked to Sandy from the credit union. Says part of the problem was a training issue and she'll work on correcting that. Apologized for the frustration they caused. They'll keep me up to date with any news from Levy @ Staples.
So on Saturday, a friend and I went to the game. One of the perks (as described by one of my roommates) of the luxury suites, is the dessert cart that goes around to all the suites. When it came around, I asked my friend if she wanted something, which she did. A decent sized slice of a "S'Mores" Cake. Prior to the game, I had stopped at an ATM to get some cash...just in case we wanted something from concessions. Of course, since I was prepared with cash, the cart didn't take cash...only cards. So I gave the guy my debit card and he authorized it (and I signed) for $9.98. A little spendy...but it was a decent sized slice of cake. Anyway, the game went on...the Kings beat the St. Louis Blues 5-3...and I took my friend home.
Sunday night, I'm out checking out a different friends artwork at a gallery opening and I get a call from my credit union. They are calling to check about possible fraudulent activity on my card. There are two charges on my card for Saturday night from Levy Restaurants @ Staples Center. One is the pre-authorization of $9.98...the other was a settled charge of $130.11. I explain to the person on the phone that I had authorized $9.98, but not the $130.11. They told me that since it was a merchant dispute, I'd have to contact the credit union during regular business hours to dispute it. When I get home and look at the receipt (to see if there is any contact info)...the phone number listed is 310-XXX-XXXX. Looking online, comes up empty as well (only a corporate office number in Chicago).
Monday morning, I call into the credit union as soon as they open at 8.30am. I get told by the phone representative that I need to fill out a form and fax it in. I do this, and call back about 45 minutes later to verify receipt of the fax and to see when a credit will be processed. This second rep is not able to verify receipt of the fax (just that it wasn't sitting on the fax machine) and tells me that it could take up to 5 business days to process a provisional credit. I tell the rep that it is unacceptable and that I'd like to speak to someone higher up. The rep transfers me to voice mail of the Manager of Central Operations "Tom" and I leave a message requesting a call back today.
Before lunch, I still haven't heard back, so I call again and this time I'm transferred to the voice mail of Sylvia, apparently the only person that processes these disputes. Again, I leave a message requesting a call back today.
I call back again after lunch, talk to a different phone rep, ask for a supervisor and again get transferred to Tom's voice mail. I leave a second message.
Having not heard anything yet, around 3pm I call again. This time the phone rep tells me that I've filled out the wrong form. I press the phone rep, "Are you sure this is the right form?" as she seemed a little unsure. I even asked if I could speak with someone who would know for sure. After a few "hmms," she decides that I do have the right form and lets me know to fax it in (to a different fax number that goes straight to Sylvia). I do this, requesting a phone call for confirmation upon receipt of the fax.
Having still not hearing anything, and business hours coming to an end, I call again around 4pm. I end up getting the same phone rep that I had talked to around 3pm. She informs me that actually she told me the wrong thing...and it is a yet a different from I need to fill out. I ask to speak to a supervisor but am not transferred. Instead she suggests that I fax this new from to both the Sylvia fax number and her supervisor (who might be able to issue a provisional credit). Again, on the fax cover sheet I request a phone call confirming receipt and I also express my frustration with the service provided today, which is causing me to seriously consider finding a new credit union.
Of course I do not get a confirmation call. So when I leave work, I call again. This time the phone rep does confirm that the supervisor received the fax (though doesn't confirm Sylvia received it). By then the business day is almost over and I'm pretty much out of options for the day.
Later in the evening, I file a complaint about Levy Restaurants at Staples Center with the BBB. I also write down my notes for a letter to the President/CEO of the credit union. I decide to wait until Tuesday to actually write the letter though (because I was so frustrated Monday night). Below the cut, I'll paste the letter I submitted and his response. As of now, besides his email response, the issue has not been resolved and I have not been contacted by anyone from credit union.
**update 3:59pm**
Just received a voice mail from the credit union. They apologized for the issues and want me to call back. So once I get out of work, I'll call back and talk to them (I've got a direct number this time. In the meantime...a provisional credit has been issued. That credit will likely be reduced by the original amount authorized once Levy @ Staples responds...but whatever.
**update #2 5:10pm**
Talked to Sandy from the credit union. Says part of the problem was a training issue and she'll work on correcting that. Apologized for the frustration they caused. They'll keep me up to date with any news from Levy @ Staples.
Continue reading The $130 piece of cake.
***This is not me...just a repost from elsewhere (since that wasn't clear to everyone)***
Posted by panasonicyouth on Buzznet:
My experience at the 'Reverse Prop 8' Rally in West Los Angeles yesterday
Yesterday afternoon, I attended the rally outside the Mormon temple on Santa Monica Blvd and Overland, in order to protest the Mormon church's involvement in helping to pass Proposition 8 here in California. My co-worker, Richard Flores, biked with me from the Buzznet office in Hollywood to the rally in West LA.
In the interest of avoiding any legal implications (since I do not have or have not seen a lawyer), I am not going to describe the events leading up to my arrest. Please watch the arrest video for that; I think it speaks for itself. I think it is more important to describe what happened afterwards.
Read the rest on Buzznet
Posted by panasonicyouth on Buzznet:
My experience at the 'Reverse Prop 8' Rally in West Los Angeles yesterday
Yesterday afternoon, I attended the rally outside the Mormon temple on Santa Monica Blvd and Overland, in order to protest the Mormon church's involvement in helping to pass Proposition 8 here in California. My co-worker, Richard Flores, biked with me from the Buzznet office in Hollywood to the rally in West LA.
In the interest of avoiding any legal implications (since I do not have or have not seen a lawyer), I am not going to describe the events leading up to my arrest. Please watch the arrest video for that; I think it speaks for itself. I think it is more important to describe what happened afterwards.
Read the rest on Buzznet
reposted from Farm Aid:
Dear President-elect Barack Obama,
As President of Farm Aid, I'd like to take this opportunity to whole-heartedly congratulate you on your historic victory. I'd also like to offer you every resource that Farm Aid has available to assist you in creating a new farm and food policy that supports a sustainable family farm system of agriculture.
I started Farm Aid in 1985 when family farmers were being forced off their land as a result of federal policy that paved the way for industrial agriculture. This shift replaced independent family farmers with factory farms that have wreaked havoc on our communities, our environment and our public health.
There is broad agreement that our farm and food system needs to be drastically reworked. The good news is that the work of building an alternative to the industrial food system is well underway and Farm Aid is proud to have been a leader in this work, something we call the Good Food Movement. The Good Food Movement has grown and thrived almost entirely without the support of the federal government. However, now is the right moment for the leadership of our country to take a role in this important movement. In fact the future of our economy, our environment and our health demand it.
Our family farmers are a national resource with incredible potential to be the protagonists in solving the challenges we currently face. Family farmers are on the cutting edge of thriving local food systems and economies, alternative energy production and environmental stewardship. Family farmers are marketing the fruits of their labor close-to-home at farm stands, farmers markets and Community Supported Agriculture programs (CSAs), helping local money to circulate in local communities where it can do the most good. Family farmers are growing green energy and harnessing the power of the sun and wind. They are transitioning to sustainable production methods to grow food that is good for our health and our planet. These steps are strengthening our local economies, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, protecting our natural resources and increasing our national security.
As the national organization working on behalf of family farmers for the last 23 years, Farm Aid has helped family farmers stay on the land, organized communities to fight factory farms in their own backyards, and educated eaters about the choices they can make to guarantee healthy, fresh food from family farms. Over our history, we have grown, partnered with, and sustained a network of more than four hundred grassroots farm and food organizations across the nation. As you begin to implement programs to support a family farm system of agriculture, Farm Aid and our vast resource network is here to work with you.
Now is the time for our country to recognize and call on family farmers' ingenuity, strength and value to our past and our future. We can have strong local economies, green energy, a clean environment, healthy citizens and good food--all of these start with family farmers. I look forward to working with you to make this vision of a family farm system of agriculture a reality.
Stay Strong and Positive,
Willie Nelson
President
