Tangents and Musings

Description Not Necessary

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 07:25:00 +0000

Amgen Tour of California 2010: Stage 7 Los Angeles (Individual Time Trial)

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Sun, 23 May 2010 06:25:00 +0000

Spent the day at the races: The Amgen Tour of California: Stage 7 Individual Time Trial was held at Downtown Los Angeles. Shutting down Downtown L.A. must have been a logistical challenge, but it definitely was well worth it. L.A. hosted some of the world's top class cyclists, many of whom will be racing in less than two months time at the Le Tour de France. Some pictures from Stage 7 of the Amgen Tour of California. I have plenty more pictures, but I'm tired of cropping and editing.

(Arrived well before the start time and caught some riders pre-riding the course; pays to be the early bird!)(All photos were taken with Canon XSI and 50mm 1.8)(Click to enlarge)

(It was a good sign when the first picture you take doesn't need cropping and the subject just happens to be Fabian Cancellara (UCI World Time Trial Champion) and Jens Voigt)

(Mark Cavendish sighting,(right)some would say he is currently the best sprinter in the pro peloton, he is fast, but he owes a lot to his lead out train.)

(Fabian Cancellara aka Spartacus wearing the UCI World Time Trial Champion Stripes.)

(Lars Boom - future of Dutch cycling; I was pleasantly surprised at the reception this young rider received from the crowd. Everyone was yelling "BOOOOOOM!" as he passed by.)

Bert Grabsch - former World Time Trial Champion, current German National Time Trial Champion)

(Andy Schleck - Current Luxembourg National Road Race Champion, 2nd place 2009 Tour de France)

(Jens Voigt - He eats Chuck Norris for breakfast!!!)

(Jani Brajkovic - one of Lance Armstrong's mountain goats)

(Levi Leipheimer - 3 time Tour of California winner and current defending champion; all around nice guy, representing Santa Rosa to the fullest.)

(Peter Sagan - Liquigas Doimo's revelation; only 20 years old; future star)

(Dave Zabriskie aka DZ nuts - current U.S. National Time Trial Champion, Captain America)

(Michael "Mick" Rogers - Amgen Tour of California race leader(yellow jersey))

Downtown L.A. Old and New

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:05:00 +0000

Although Los Angeles or Hollywood is considered to be the "entertainment capital of the world" it seems that very few movies are actually set in L.A. or Hollywood. If ever a film uses L.A. or Hollywood as the setting you either get one of two idealized views, the superficial, celebrity centered, L.A., or the gritty and grimy, crime infested, L.A., as seen in "Boyz in the Hood," or "Colors," even in the "Fast and the Furious." I've lived in L.A. all my life and there's simply more to this place. It's definitely changing fast but there are a few relics from L.A.'s storied past. I was pleasantly surprised by the film "500 Days of Summer," not so much by the movie's story line, but by the way the film used/presented Downtown L.A. They honestly presented the character of this part of Los Angeles.

Trailer:

After having seen this movie, I decided to seek out some of the places the movie shot some scenes, but most of all I had a bit of fun exploring a little bit of the Downtown L.A. Downtown has some mad hills!!!

U.S. Bank Tower = Tallest Building in the L.A. Skyline

Downtown L.A. 7th St. and Flower

Macy's Plaza 7th St. and Hope

The view from "Tom's Bench" "500 Days of Summer"

Bradbury Building: Where Tom meets Autumn

The Bradbury Building has been featured in a lot of movies. Some of Blade Runner was shot in here.

The Bradbury Building's famous antique lifts aka elevators.

Blue Gold, The Denim Movie

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:19:00 +0000

This should be an interesting watch...trailer is already giving me hella ideas.

Monocle Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:45:00 +0000

Have you ever gone to the newsstand and stood there not necessarily having anything specific in mind to pick up? That's exactly where I was a few days ago, except I remembered from some article or something I read online about how dope Monocle Magazine was. I remember specifically how the pictures in the magazine were suppose to be incredible. I'm a very visually oriented person so at the newsstand I decided to ask for the latest issue of Monocle Magazine to appease my curiosity. Coming with a pretty hefty price tag of $10, for a magazine, I figured that's money down the drain. Honestly, for $10, this magazine is the cream of the crop; well written with very little advertising, great articles, and yes the pictures were good too. Monocle Magazine check it out.

Cool Video...just had to "Post It"

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:11:00 +0000

Making the Best of Jury Duty

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:55:00 +0000

I received that red notice in the mail that every citizen of this country, but most of all Los Angeles County, dreads. Yes, I was summoned for jury duty. Unlike the previous time, I decided to only postpone once, after all I'm now a seasoned veteran having served in a trial. I was on call for most of the week, but early today, I was told to report. I decided to get it over with, packed a book, and faced a long boring day of sitting in the jury pool selection room. I did not get picked to serve on a jury panel, in fact, they only called for two jury panels the whole day, fortunately, I was not called, and unfortunately the two panels were called in before noon, which meant a long day of guaranteed boredom. I always have a digital camera, so come lunch break, I decided to go on a little stroll. I've lived in L.A. for most of my life, and rarely do I even visit the Downtown area, it so different from the rest of L.A.'s sprawl.

I have no idea what this sculpture is at the Los Angeles Mall. It looks cool enough from far away, but up close, it's just a fantasy playground for pigeons!

Walt Disney Concert Hall. One of the more super modern sites that can be found in Downtown Los Angeles.

City Hall Downtown. It's definitely an iconic building, but is the renovation job ever going to be finished? The best part about this building is, they filmed The Naked Gun 33 1/3 here with O.J. Simpson playing a cop. Who would've thought he'd end up in the criminal courts building across the way.

The Los Angeles Times. One of the last great Art Deco structures in L.A. With a lot of newspaper publications disappearing, who knows how long this building will remain buzzing with the latest headlines.

Sinbad in the Summer Time

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:47:00 +0000

Here's my dog Sinbad, shaved down for the Summer season.

"No I'm not a chiweenie."

Livestrong City Tiempo "Los Angeles"

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:40:00 +0000

These are my latest pickups...yes I know another pair of shoes. It's for a great cause, and Lance is on his comeback trail so I gotta support. To think there's going to be more Livestrong releases, great for the Livestrong team, bad for my wallet.LOL

World of Warcraft is Destroying Humanity

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:13:00 +0000

This video is crazy, I don't know if this whole this is an act, but it's pretty damn convincing. Didn't ever see video games taking over people's lives like this. Massive Fail on this kid...Mom's canceling that warcraft account ftw!!!

Look what lil Dez got me!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:12:00 +0000

Time to get excited, It's the playoffs!!! It's the NBA finals!!!'
Zoom Kobe IV's

"What makes Kobe aka the Black Mamba unstoppable?" Could it be the shoes...nah!!!

Here I come Dwight Howard!

Ready to stomp on the Magics!

Lady Sovereign X Chester French

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:50:00 +0000

Awesome concert...even "Hollywood Holt" If you didn't know, now you know!!!

White boys who make noise with swagger and soul: Chester French

Its the S. O. V.!!! (Lady Sovereign!!!)

"Da Biggest Midget in the Game!!!"

Dodgers vs Met 5/19/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Sat, 23 May 2009 07:42:00 +0000

Another baseball game...I've always insisted that I'm a neutral fan but I think I'm starting to care about the dodgers...maybe I'm just scared of getting shot at...It's crazy out in leftfield.

That Car sh*ts blue...not for the faint of heart

The Blue Bosses

Relaxing with my bag of cacahuetes!!!

"Pardon my chin"

Cinco De Mayo...at Chavez Ravine

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Sat, 23 May 2009 07:32:00 +0000

Dodgers Game Cinco de Mayo, 'nuff said. The usual suspects.

Relaxing before the crowd messed my view.

The guvnor showed up.

Good night for the boys in blue.

Spilled Beer and Stale Footlongs...Baseball Season

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Sat, 23 May 2009 07:20:00 +0000

Spring is quickly passing by and Summer is drawing ever nearer and I've hardly updated for the month of May. Baseball season is well underway and my coworkers and I have sort of established a ritual of sorts by going to some games. Being in L.A., we often find ourselves in attendance looking down from the leftfield section of Dodger stadium. I consider myself a neutral I don't really have a team, it's just an excuse to get a new hat...or not cuz fitteds are expensive. Here's some of the most hardcore Dodger fans.

She's sooo having fun!!!

The Blue Bosses

Maria

In Search of the Perfect Burrito or Is It? Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Mon, 04 May 2009 05:12:00 +0000

Went bowling the other night with my fellow coworkers. A fun night to say the least, but to cap it off, a good carne asada burrito. This time the chosen destination was "El Gran Burrito." Literally translated..."The Big Burrito." Here's how it stacks up against "Chipotle"

El Gran Burrito's Carne Asada Burrito

The First Bite

A Savory Treat

So Delicious...Some Call it Love...(The Meaty Variety).

The Results:
Ryan: 9 = The Burrito was good, not over seasoned, the flavors complemented the salsa really well.
Brenda: 9 = Burrito was good, tortilla was perfect, meat was authentically flavored. (Why does it look like Freddy is checking out Bobby in that picture?)
Alex: 10 = Complained that he couldn't get the lengua, but the picture sums it up. "You know me I like it all."

Nike X James Jarvis

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 05:53:00 +0000

This is awesome two things that I really like, James Jarvis' artwork and Nike. James Jarvis is an amazing illustrator. He is definitely king of the potato heads.

Takashi Murakami X Louis Vuitton

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:36:00 +0000

In Search of the Perfect Burrito...or is it? "Chipotle"

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 07:41:00 +0000

I have a class project...don't worry about the details, but the assignment has inspired me to search for a good burrito. General assumption says New York has the best pizza, and L.A. has the best Mexican Food, actually I think San Diego has the best Mexican Food, both authentic and Americanized. The least I can do is look for something comparable. This is part 1. The chain restaurant "Chipotle."

The Burrito

The first bite

Intense Concentration

Flavor Analysis

Results:
Ryan = 7 (tries hard but not even close, flavor lacking in authenticity)
Brenda = 7.5 (the rice has too much of a lemony flavor, beans surprisingly good)
Alex = 9 ("You know me I like it all.")

The burrito was good, if you're willing to settle for something average and the add-ins can make it a bit expensive. Chipotle is really just a tiny step above the other fast food chain burritos. Part 2 coming soon.

Bloc Party, Palladium, Los Angeles

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:17:00 +0000

Awesome Concert!

Little Tokyo Town

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:58:00 +0000

Had a nice trip to Little Tokyo Town the other day. Wish I could've taken more pictures but too busy looking around at the shops. One thing I really wish I took a picture of would be the delicious Chicken Katsu I had at the Curry House. I also had some awesome red bean pan from one of the bakeries. Pics...

Downtown Los Angeles: LA Times building.
Looks like a side of the Death Star

Pinkberry: Good frozen yogurt, great with pineapple.

All of Pinkberry's stores have the same decor funky round lamps and Phillipe Starck chairs...that's pretty awesome.

Japanese Cartoon

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 06:31:00 +0000

Is that you Lupe? Might be Lupe or maybe not. Still pretty dope. Reminds me of UNKLE

When a puppy gets tired...

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:46:00 +0000

When a puppy gets tired it will try to find the most comfortable spot.

Damien Hirst x Supreme (the update)

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:42:00 +0000

Nice release. I got inline at about 9:30am, I was probably 15th inline, got out at 11:15am. Most important of all I came up!!!

Proud owner of a Damien Hirst piece. I can't believe I can say that now.

Damien Hirst x Supreme

noreply@blogger.com (Starscream078) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:06:00 +0000

I'm really excited about this release. This is going to be hyped, see if I come up on these joints. I mean Damien Hirst...this is too awesome.