One beautiful thing about the youngest of my friends and coworkers is that I get to reap some of the wisdom others have developed within their lifetime.  Last night I was speaking to an old friend of mine, the kind you don't talk to for months, but when you finally catch each other, it's as if you haven't missed a moment of their life.  He provided me with such fresh perspective; when I told him I've been in doubt and more of a pessimist than anything, he assured me that my problems are just small ones without even knowing what my problems are.  His words, combined with the supportive words of a close friend whom I do speak to daily make me realize 2 things:

1) Problems are like broken mirrors; the more pressure you apply to them, the more they crack.  A broken mirror is easier to put back together if only broken into a few pieces.  But if the problem is a recurring one to which pressure does not seem to ameliorate, the mirror cracks into a million little pieces, hence making it harder to fix.

2) We can spend 5 minutes, 5 hours, 5 days, weeks, months, and years being upset.  The longer you dwell on the negativity, the more resentment you will develop.  Thus, if you can spend 5 minutes, hours, 5 days, weeks, months and years being upset, why waste your time being angry and negative for anymore than the first 5?

Thank you N and J.

David oh so happy at Bar del Pla with a glass of Terra Prima!

I'm here and finally back in Lala land (ironic since it is my reality) after 2 intense weeks of traveling in Europe!  I intended on updating this blog but found myself too wrapped up in these great moments to even turn on the computer.  So I'll have to do a little back tracking starting NOW.

To say I have the travel bug is an understatement.  Traveling is not only an opportunity to see new places and experience new cultures, it's a time to learn so much more about yourself and the one(s) you've chosen to embark on that journey with.  I realize now, more than ever, that I am so lucky to have been able to travel on my own dime with an incredibly patient man, and bless his heart for putting up with me especially when his driving made me car sick and cranky.  Thanks buddy.

Right now

I am trippin...

 on BARCELONA

BARCELONA
It's no wonder that Woody Allen created a movie called "Vicky, Christina, Barcelona".  Barcelona isn't just a place; she is just as lively as the most eccentric people in the world.  I anticipated enjoying the Barcelona leg of our trip more than the rest, but I underestimated just how much I would love the Spanish culture--the colors of the city's architecture, the smells by the sea, the dynamic landscape painted with vivid graffiti--I thoroughly embrace all that is Barcelona, including siesta!  Me encanta que están obsesionados con el fútbol, incluso cuando no es una World Cup year.

Accommodation: (Born Ribera neighborhood)  Hotel Chic & Basic

  Why it's great: Un concepto_Un hotel_Una ciudad_Un espacio de relax_Un bar_Y muchas otras cosas que no verás en otro lugar.  It's a stylish place to stay that won't break your wallet.  You can pick the colors you want the lights in your room to be--reminded me of a strip club with a clear shower in the middle of the room.  The bed is comfortable (for all essential purposes) and they offer unlimited bottles of water, espresso and Wi-fi for free in the common room area (unlimited water is essential after a day of traveling and a night or two of excessively "tasting" Spanish wine and cava!)

We explored all areas of Barcelona and found that the Born neighborhood is our favorite--great food, nightlife, friendly people, safe streets and a short walk to the Boqueria on La Rambla.  What more can you ask for?  The staff was very helpful and friendly; we even went out to a few bars with a staff member and her boyfriend!  I'm already facebook friends with her and hope to have a rendezvous when they visit the U.S.

Favorite meal: (Catalan tapas) Bar del Pla

  Why it's great: This is an establishment serving true Catalan tapas.  The foie gras and shaved mango was the best plate I had on the entire trip.  The most satisfying pan con tomate (a traditional Catalan style Bruschetta) was here.  The staff were friendly and fun, running around like mad men with steaming hot plates of blood sausage and chill glasses of cava!  It's a laid back to place to enjoy a bottle of wine and flavorful bites in a room that's bustling with Spanish/Catalan white noise.  We even received two free shots at the end of our meal (herb infused vodka) that made the smile on my face even bigger!

Let's go Twice!: (Pintxos y pintxos!) Sagardi  

  Why it's great:  Apart from the beautiful wood decor and the alley-side location where you can sit and people watch for hours (literally, yes that's what we did), the pintxos are packed with bold flavor, something I think both David and I were surprised at since pintxos are two-bite edibles (priced at 2.30 Euros/each).  Most wines offered are from Spain and the servers were always smiling and asking what we thought of the food.  Mmm que delicioso!  This is the only place we went to twice while in Barcelona.

The To-Do List just got put together, and has yet to be tackled.

I would like an assistant...stat!

In looking at how technologies change the way in which humans live their lives and communicate to others, I realized that the Web and social networking properties have become a huge index of footnotes to the human existence.  Take, for example, Yelp.  It's a search engine mixed with one part layman reviews and one (huge) part social networking where over 38 million unique visitors in any given month add their two cents on where to find the best local eateries and their very thoughts on what their experience at that establishment.  Type something witty and a fellow yelper will comment on your post.

I truly do feel as though the Web is an extension of footnotes used to document our lives while simultaneously making it easier for us to research others'.  Facebook used to be my method of footnote documentation where it went a little like this: I enjoy a music video on YouTube--CLICK!  Share on Facebook; I read an interesting article on CNN.com or NYTimes.com--CLICK and Share on Facebook; I'm looking foward to an upcoming movie I just heard about--chk.  Share on Facebook; I admired a photo of myself with a friends, family, boyfriend, dog--you got it; I share on Facebook.  I suddenly can't remember the name of that song Michelle Matranga directed me to on YouTube--not to worry, it's been posted on Facebook.  I can't remember the name of the article I enjoyed and sent to friends--that's on Facebook too.  Facebook is more than just keeping in touch with friends and stalking those we wish we knew a little better; it's about documentation.  And it's not the only forum of documentation around; think about it, in academia, there are several forms in which to post footnotes.  The same is true for the Web.  I'm writing this blog post because I was sitting on the couch reading The New York Times Magazine insert in this morning's Sunday newspaper {footnote: write about a post about footnoting after reading a review on soup dumplings (read between the lines: this weekend was tough but Euro trip will change my life).}

We have Facebook, YouTube, Yelp, BLOGS (the very reason I started one--to keep track of my thoughts; to footnote my ideas and experiences), standard online forums on every topic  you can possibly think of.  Footnotes.  Now that's what the Web is good for.

This sums it up.

The lens works like a human eye.

 

NEWS, NEWS! READ ALL ABOUT IT!  everywhere and anywhere you can.

Although I stepped out of the journalism ring well over a year ago (trading pad, pen and comfortable shoes to hunt down soundbites from "men on the street" for a computer-at which I am always on-nice heels, a creative eye and endless emails about the amazing movies our studios and puts out -and the amazing movies I wish our studio put out-), I am still enthralled with the way of journalism--how it's been in the past and where it's going into the future.  I haven't yet kicked the news junkie habit; I still sneak onto NY Times and CNN at work to get my daily fix. In the four years I previously worked in news, I was all about the multimedia way, despite the fact that I was mentored by some of Journalism's most noted old-school reporters (i.e. CNN's Richard Roth).  One-man marching bands were the new breed to fear, the predators who had even my veteran icon nervous about keeping his job. 

I consider myself a "digital native" despite my previous obsession with broadcast and cable.  I knew then that mastering the art of shooting and editing video and mushing it together with a well written VO was going to be the way to tell interesting stories.  What's even more important?  These stories would be told in a way to capture a different kind of audience, one with shorter attention spans and faster access to the next piece of coverage on the same subject.  The digital consumer market (for news, entertainment and any other industry of commerce) is a dramatically different from the traditional consumer market.  What's even more important, because the consumers are changing, those creating the content (the movie marketers as well as the news reporters) have to adjust how they create, compile and deliver content.

Read The Kids are Alright to get a better idea of the new breed of journalists coming to the forefront.  The term "multimedia" is no longer associated with one's inability to master one certain medium rather the ability to master the adaptation.  What Tom Davidson says is just as true for the entertainment (movie) marketing business as it is for news in general.  It's not enough to merely acknowledge digital platforms; it's not enough to just throw digital media into the mix; what might be enough is finding those "digital natives" who believe the technologies are a means to an end.  The truly talented ones are those who can use those technologies to deliver a message (call-of action to buy) or tell a story.  Digital channels should be tools used to "service" the message, the story; they are not channels even the most traditional storytellers or marketers should be "fighting" or "defending" themselves against.

Today is one of those days when I can sit back and think, Hey it's okay...
...to make this list because my brain isn't functioning in a way to write anything of substance!
...to listen to the same song on repeat while cranking away at work
...to break into a cookie jar before 11am when you're PMSing
...to make a really long To Do list for today knowing it's impossible to actually check everything off today
...to move some of today's To Do list items to tomorrow
...to reminisce about the snuggle time you had last night (smile)
...to want to cook a pumpkin pie when you get home for no reason at all
...to realize you can't listen to the same song yet another time; switching to Pandora
...to miss New York City, even though you're an Angeleno now
...to feel stupid for a moment only to realize you've learned something new
...to think that food tastes better when cooked on a food truck
...to start twitter stalking the Kogi Truck to see if it'll end up on your street at lunch time!
...to get really annoyed with the audio ads on Pandora (sorry M. Trandall)
...to settle for lunch off the The Greasy Weiner truck because you know Kogi ain't coming!
...to realize online viral effects ARE NOT COOL, especially when you're hungry and now find yourself standing in a line wrapping around the block (I should've never posted its location on Facebook)
...to decide your next blog post will be about Angeleno Food Trucks and GotFoodTruck.com!
...to seriously consider taking a nap in your boss's office because he's out for the day
...to figure you've got another 5 hours to go so you can do without the nap
...it is what it is.

What's on your list for Hey!  It's Okay... ?  Share!

Walking through Paris streets on Bastille Day.

 

Jessa Crispin published an article in Foreign Policy magazine regarding travel writing and its evolution throughout decades from being a first person narrative about discovery of an outside place and the life (the culture, the people, the physicality) of an unfamiliar land, to a first person narrative about discovery of his/her own self and life (think reflections, decisions to make life changes etc...) epiphanized while traveling.  This spurred thoughts in my head on what I consider travel writing, and the finding of this article is timely...I will be leaving for my 2010 Tour de Italy (and Barcelona) in exactly 7 days (and 1 minute to be exact).

Crispin argues that travel writing is no longer about these "outer territories", but the discovery of "inner ones", and that long-form prose travel writing now takes shape of any other memoir (a la Eat, Pray, Love).  Without being critical of neither the old-school travel writers and the new-school travel writers, I agree with Crispin that traveling (and the writing inspired by doing so) should be about the balance of the human being's place in the world both physically and figuratively.  Traveling is about the discovery of truth and beauty through the exploration of unexplored, unfamiliar landscapes.  It's about adventure as much as it is about learning.  It is more than parties on sandy beaches or standing next to the Eiffel Tower ; it's about how the world works and how we fit into it.  It's okay for traveling to be self-centered; the blurred lines appear when the writing to reflect the travel is completely self-centered and much less about the discovery through travel itself.

I used to think that my favorite travel writer, also an author of fiction, is Ernest Hemingway; problem is, because he's such an existentialist, his descriptions of the travel part are hardly attractive: "Simple exchange of values. You give them money. They give you a stuffed dog."  While I am, probably will forever be, moved by Hemingway's style of writing and the stories his prose tells, I don't think I'll be looking to him for travel advice.  Just as I won't be looking to Elizabeth Girlbert's Eat, Pray, Love for guidance on travel because let's face it, stories of internal discovery like that are in fact, personal, and have little to do with traveling.  I hardly would consider that actual travel writing.

Travel writing in it's purest forms may ironically come from journalists who are (supposed) to keep their words as true to fact as possible.  What do you think travel writing should be?

Oh Mr. Renaissance Man

I'm playing the sackbut for you

I only wish I had as many talents

To appear within your view.

NPR featured a great story and interview session with the one and only James Franco.  It's almost exhausting to read just how many projects the talented actor/writer/student guy has his hands in. He's been dubbed the "Modern-Renaissance Man", a man skilled in multiple fields and disciplines (FYI, the term renaissance man is largely based on the various artists and scholars of the European Renaissance, (starting in about 1450 CE), who pursued multiple fields of studies.).

James Franco is a star of several films worth noting acting excellence (Milk and the upcoming 127 Hours), as well as a handful of flops (Tristan & Isolde anyone?) is a student whose resume boasts attending over six different colleges (Columbia University, New York University, Brooklyn College, Warren Wilson College, Yale University and the Rhode Island School of Design), is a painter and a published author (Palo Alto: Stories) whose voice reflects the likes of Ernest Hemmingway (or maybe a 13 year-old kid).  Read an excerpt and let me know what you think.

His acting credits draw more attention when he's playing a real-life person (as opposed to a pothead a la Pineapple Express) and is thus far getting mostly positive reviews for the upcoming Howl (where he portrays the Beat poet Allen Ginsberg in the 1950s), and 127 Hours based off the true story of Aron Ralston (the rock climber who famously amputated his arm with a dull knife in order to free himself from under a boulder while mountaineering in May 2003.)  Do not be surprised if you find yourself standing in ovation or feeling noxious in the bathroom stall--Franco's acting in 127 Hours reportedly caused several reviewers to pass out cold, entangled in his expression of emotion and the graphic display of the laborious amputation.

Franco admitted to NPR, "I have an addictive personality, so if there's something I like, it's hard for me to not engage with it fully, and to the point of doing physical harm to myself or mental harm."

I just hope this Renaissance man doesn't end up like the late Knight (A Knight's Tale anyone?) who famously portrayed The Joker (We all know the The Dark Knight) because as fickle as his overachieving efforts may seem, it is definitely rare to see a true Modern-Renaissance man, especially on the big screen.

  

Purchasing organic, local produce is not only a healthier option, but is often a cheaper way to go (despite preconceptions that organic is always more expensive).  The trick is to spot the organics at your local farmer's markets where farmers sell their crops directly to the public, eliminating the middle men costs often associated with larger supermarket stores (i.e. packing, shipping and wholesale costs).  This means both the farmer and the consumer saves money!

My personal favorite in Los Angeles is the Sunday Santa Monica Farmers' Market.  On most Sundays, my boyfriend and I head down to Main Street in Santa Monica to get our Sunday morning started right.  It's not only a great venue to buy fresh, organic and seasonal produce, but it's the ultimate community gathering place!  (Here's a plus: There's free bike valet!)

Cruise around the market with fresh cut flowers in hand while nibbling free tasters at Urban Green (I recommend Rickey's Pecan Pie and Chai Spiced Nuts).  If you're appetite yearns for a heartier feast, stop by Carbon Grill where the friendly staff magically assemble 3lb Breakfast Burritos (David and I have no choice to split this serving) where every bite is packed with fluffy white race, eggs, salsa, freshly shaved cotija cheese and the best chicken you've ever tried!  And when you feel a food coma coming on and your arms are tired from lugging bags of organic bok choy, plump tomatoes and your latest vintage clothing finds, plop your bottom on the sidewalk in the sun and listen to the melodic tunes of folk bands emanating tunes a la Lucinda Williams or Simon & Garfunkel (Dustbowl Revival is "a Venice, CA-based folk-blues orchestra that merges old school gypsy rhythms with bluegrass, gospel, jug-band, jump blues and the hot swing of the 1930’s to form a spicy roots cocktail").

The Sunday Market is the perfect place to bring family and friends to enjoy breakfast, food, shopping and a true West Side LA community.  If you don't know what to do with all the produce you just bought, buy a copy of The Santa monica Farmers' Market Cookbook.  (Note: Since the produce tastes so great, you'll save money and energy by not overdoing the spices and the cooking.)

Quick Shopping Tips for Customers:
1.  When you first arrive, walk through the entire market and look at all the offerings before you buy. There are many differences in prices for the same produce type and quality.

2.  Always bring lots of small bills and change.

3.  Certified Farmers’ Markets are permitted Food Facilities and so no dogs (except service dogs) are allowed (sorry Marley).

4.  Bargaining for small amounts is not well received. Bargaining for big boxes or great amounts is usually acceptable.

5.  Bring large cloth or net shopping bags. It will save multiple trips to your car to unload. Please try to remember to reuse the produce bags provided by the farmers.

6.  Most of the produce is unsorted and field run. Some of the best tasting fruit is cosmetically challenged.

7.  These are outdoor markets. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.



For more information visit the Farmers' Market website.

How "The View a la Vu" came to be.

I've started somewhere between 4 to 6 blogs in the past couple years and have really ended up nowhere.  I can credit the nowhere foundedness to my past basic lack of focus to what is true. 

Here we finally have it.  This is what I see.  Simple.  What you read is what I feel about what I see.  This body of work is my VIEW of the world, and all the little and big things contained in it.  When it came time to pick a name of this generalized blog about everything and nothing, my brain ran a Google search.

This time, I came up with an answer.  I thought, if this is my view of the world, maybe I should call it "Vu".  Vu, my last name, is also a nickname I've had for years among others (Vooster, Lala, L, Vuvu).

One of my fondest (and scariest) memories of a child is of my second grade teacher, Mrs. Downey, an old prune of a lady with a strict attitude and a french accent I could never understand.  When yelling at me for misbehavior, she referred to me as "Miss 'view'".  I'm sure my complete lack of response to my name often infuriated her even more.  Years later I came to understand why she called me "Miss View".  My mother, a well-educated woman fluent in French, told me that "Vu" in french is pronounced like "view" (As in deja vu).

So when figuring out what I could call this voice, I quickly ran a search that brought up my solution in what felt like a millisecond. 

Welcome to The View a la Vu.

*Thanks for the inspiration Noelle Sukow.