July 25, 2007
Elmer’s Bar and Grill
Originally uploaded by bradley j
My new favorite place to hang out in Simi. Trust me it is HARD to find a nice place to meet up with friends in Simi. There is nothing original in this small town. But Elmer’s was established in 1969. Then bought by Bill Elmer’s father in 1972. It is only as big as this photo shows. To the left is a wall and restroom and to the right is the door. That is Bill and Jason C. over at the bar and Damion sitting down. Jen was playing pool with me. Bill is my hero, due to his Hamburger Count. He has counted every hamburger he has eaten since 1973. As of last week he was at 10,962. Trust me, we will all be there on his 11,000 burger. I told him I would make flyers and turn it into an event. Rightfully so. Anothing I like about this bar is that it has gone unchanged since the day it opened. They did no remodeling, no redecorating, no technological advancements. They only take cash and every Monday night is movie night. I feel honored to have reached semi-regular status when I go in there. He remembers I want a veggie burger. Delicious. Cheers to Bill Elmer!
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I want more avocado!!!!
I saw Sunshine. Enjoyed it. I sat right behind Ben Gibbard and Jim from the Office television show. I guess they are friends. Who knew? Also I stood next to Gene Simmons from KISS and saw numerous other actors while walking around the Arc Light. I like that place. Movies movies movies. It seems most of the people there really enjoy film and understand that being quiet during a film is important. I like when the people who are also watching a film are polite.
I wish I had a freezing cold mug of root beer
Huh, someone is turning a David Foster Wallace story into a movie. NEAT!
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July 20, 2007
Last night I met up with Corban to goto the Hollywood Bowl. I got out there so fast it was a miracle. We met at May Fair Market and got snacks and wine. Then we headed over to the Bowl. We got there while Jonathan Biss was finishing up his set. He was incredible. I mean, I don’t listen to a lot of piano music, but I am really interested in getting some of his music. We ate snacks and drank wine and enjoyed the LA Philharmonic. I had never seen them preform, I really liked it. After it was done we were walking down the hill and ran into David Liebe Hart. He was singing classical songs really loud with a dog puppet. Then we realized our car had been parked in stacked parking that was for another event! So we went over to the event which ended up being a screening of Dream Girls on this huge screen. The ratio of gay men to women was probably 5 to 1. We walked into the theater right near the end of the movie, and the crowd was going wild! Pretty neat. Then we walked back to the car and waited to leave, and I did a 10 point turn around, otherwise I would have been going backwards down this hill and everything. Then we went to the 101 and had some food. Macaroni and Cheese and Sweet Potato Fries. Delicious. I had some coffee to ensure a safe drive home with no falling asleep. The whole night was a lot of fun.
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July 19, 2007
That I went running for 25 minutes today. I ran about 75% of the time. I felt okay while I was running, I need some practice. But afterwards I felt great. Energized. Putting my ipod shuffle on my head band totally worked great. If I could just keep doing this 3 times a week. I am honestly going to try.
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Yesterday was fun. I left home around 10:30am for Burbank to meet up with Jen G. for some shopping. My original plan was to get a lot of new clothes, but in the end I only ended up with one button up shirt. It is a very nice shirt though. We went to Necromance. She got some neat stuff there. I got Damion a present for being awesome. A 1952 Elk’s Lodge Ashtray. We got coffee, Subway, and other little random things while out on Melrose. I was going to try on jeans, but they were all around 50 dollars, I guess I should have known better. I am still on the quest for new clothes though, well new old clothes I suppose. We ended up near the Beverly Center, because Jen knew about this store that an old guy runs called, Kowboyz. They sell a whole bunch of cowboy shirts all for 10 dollars, or 3 for 25. I didn’t find any I really liked, so I didn’t buy any. Although I did find a belt buckle that said Larry. (My dad’s name). He doesn’t really wear buckles though. Then I realized Corban said the Beverly Hills Juice Club was right around where we already were. So I called her and she helped us find it. AMAZING. I tried the apple mint coconut. Absolute juice bliss. I really like juice, and this was by far the best juice I have ever had. Here is a little something from their website…
Beverly Hills Juice
Farm Fresh Organic Elixirs
by Rachel Dowd
David Otto ate nothing but watermelon for 77 days one summer. Somehow that suits the 68-year-old owner of Beverly Hills Juice, a quirky and inspired juice club, located around the corner from the Beverly Center. “I just got into it,” Otto explains offhandedly. “Health is often related to what you don’t eat.”
Otto channels that die-hard discipline and minimalist philosophy into every bottle of juice he makes, starting with a wake-up call that would make military personnel shudder. Every morning, he rises between 2:00 and 2:30am and heads downtown to the Wholesale Produce Market and Better Life Organic Produce, to hand select fruit for the club’s 38 varieties of juice. “You can’t make good juice out of bad produce,” he says. “So, I always buy the best stuff. If I can’t find high quality fruit, I won’t make that juice.” For instance, Otto will use only organic tomatoes in his hot tomato tonic ($3.50), a fiery elixir he swears can wipe out any cold. So if tomatoes aren’t in season, he just doesn’t offer it.
After pre-dawn shopping, Otto spends the next six hours in a refrigerated room in the back of Beverly Hills Juice cold-pressing fruit under 200 pounds of hydrolytic pressure. It’s a colossal undertaking that keeps the juicemaker up to his elbows in pulp until noon. “It’s a mess to make. You cube the fruit, wrap it in cloth, press, collect the seeds and pulp, strain through a sieve and taste. We make all our juices with extreme care, and they’re met with extreme appreciation.”
After one sip, you understand why. The flavors are perplexingly delicate and concentrated like a memory triggered by scent—clear, and at the same time ethereal. I’m convinced there’s a part of my stomach that was previously untouched before I drank the sprightly Apple Lemon Double Ginger ($3.50), and the powerhouse Big Ten ($3.50), which includes carrots, beets, celery, parsley, spinach, sunflower greens. Watermelon ($3.50) could just as well be called “Drinkable Summer.” But the club’s entire lineup offers no shortage of potential favorites: Apple Papaya Coconut ($3.50), classic carrot ($3) and the oh-so-subtle coconut water ($3) are amazing.
Don’t overlook the Banana Manna shakes, made solely from bananas and ground sunflowers ($2.50) or almonds ($3) and blended with your choice of juice. They’re as creamy as a banana milkshake and provide the perfect base for a superfood add-in, such as E3 Live, a frozen organic blue-green algae harvested wild in Oregon; Dr. Green’s, made from alfalfa, barley grass, blue-green algae, herbs, probiotics, enzymes and antioxidants; or the nutrient-dense standby, wheatgrass. Naturally, all are available straight up in a shot for the more hardcore.
Beverly Hills Juice has no shortage of those. Otto considers his clientele hip, creative and health conscious. They’re repeat customers and his best salespeople. You may be tempted to add “master sleuth” to the list when you first try to find the juice club (think white-tiled, walk-in closet obscured by two trees). But once discovered, Beverly Hills Juice is difficult to forget.
Best Juice ever.
Then after that we headed back to Burbank. Hung around a bit then I headed over to Barney’s in Pasadena. Corban, Darren, and others were there having some drinks and food. It was great to see everyone. I had two Anchor Steams. I wish I could have stayed longer but I had band practice in the valley at 9pm. We talked a little about baseball, McGee and Me, leases and renting, and sewing.
Wednesday was a great day.
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July 18, 2007
Last night, when I was feeding the horses, I put the food in the stalls before I let them in. And as I walked over to open the corral and let the horses go eat they started getting restless, so I said, “Hold your horses!”. But then I realized that doesn’t really work in this case.
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July 17, 2007
Last Saturday night Jon Carr and I went to Elmer’s. We both burgers, mine veggie his real. Bill, the owner, was there to cook. His burgers are amazing. He throws chopped onions onto the burger while it is cooking on this huge grill. As we began enjoying our burgers and beers another bartender came out with little cups of grapes. We thought, “Wow, how rad is it that they just gave us free grapes”. Then she came around with carrots and celery, and then chips and salsa! All for free! Best night at Elmer’s so far. I couldn’t believe it. I love that place. Bill’s Hamburger counter is up to 10,920. I told him we should have a party when he gets to 11,000. In case you are not aware, his counter has counted every burger he has eaten since 1973. His dad used to tell him he ate too much, so he began counting his burgers at age 8!! That is amazing. A real american hero. So yeah, I will let everyone know in a few months when his 11,000th burger is, and I will try to set up a huge burger gathering there in his honor.
After that we went to Ryan’s party at the house. I got to DJ with Traktor. Given, it might not have sounded amazing. It did a few times. But it was a lot of fun using that thing. I felt like a DJ.
Church with Damion and Jen was great. I really like my new home church. I plan on attending regularly and eventually serving somehow. The worship is down to earth and I like it. The whole feeling of the church is relaxed and they always have an excellent message. Ecclesia. Click to read more about the church.
Then we went to Felt Club. Which was great. I got some zines made by a 6 and 7 year old. They are so good. It inspired me to get back into it. I have a concept I am working on this week and hopefully I will have a little zine in about 2 weeks. It will be a series. Anyways, then we went around the corner to get Ice Cream. VEGAN Ice Cream. I had Oreo and Chocolate Peppermint. Both Vegan. I couldn’t believe it. It was amazing. Then we headed over to Vegan House. Cowboy Burger and Nuggets, of course. Then to Giant Robot and I got two more Jordan Crane prints, that I did not have. Now I have 14 of his minis. They look good on my wall, because I have a bed spread that matches. Actually I just bought a new afgan and it matches too. Except, when I bought the original mini prints they were 3 dollars a piece. Now they sold for 15 each. Geez. Still worth it. Then we went home to their house. Watched Kenny vs Spenny. That show is still great, but they are getting a little out of hand. I headed home around 7:30. Almost saw a mega beast. A serious mega beast. Steve M. came over and we watched Season 4 Disc 1 of Home Movies. Soo good.
I added a new song to the left there. David Bazan covering a Leonard Cohen song. Seriously, one of the best covers I have ever heard. Enjoy. Comment.
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July 15, 2007
0715071523.jpg
Originally uploaded by bradley j.
Over at Vegan House. I got my usual Cowboy burger and soy chicken nuggets. Best place to eat in the world.
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July 14, 2007
After Damion, Jen, and I ate at GReats we headed over to meet up with everyone else. But what we thought was “Casa Blanca” was actually “Casa Bianca”. So naturally we head over to the White House, but noone was there. Then we realize…..ohhh casa bianca, that pizza place. So we went there and met up with everyone. It was a blast. Singing Disney songs, qouting Tim and Eric constantly, and having some drinks. Fun crowd. Then we eventually headed back to the White House for some Wii action. Fun Fun Fun. I got home around 3am. I have no idea how I am awake right now. I got up at 6:45.
“I hate these old men”
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0713072055.jpg
Originally uploaded by bradley j.
More of that delicious burger
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0713072058.jpg
Originally uploaded by bradley j.
I had a veggie burger from GReats. Oh man. Seriously, hands down the best veggie burger I have ever had. I got a few cell phone pics of it to remember it forever.
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July 13, 2007
I really want to go horseback riding. I feed the horses twice a day for the next week and a half, and it is making me want to ride. But I need help. Cause if I tried alone, I am sure it would be a disaster.
Watched ‘American Splendor’ yesterday, I forgot how rad that movie is. I love that humor.
Blythe made these really good vegan lettuce wrap things last night. Her and Kirby had me over for dinner. Sooo good. I couldn’t stop eating this kinda spicy rice, and I got so full. My eyes were almost watering. But it was sooo good.
Giant Robot tonight with Dam and Jen.
I want to go to the Beverly Hills Juice Club.
I need new shoes.
Went to Elmer’s yesterday for a veggie burger and beer. Talked to some older men about how they are building a waterpark in Simi!! Very strange, but I think I am into that idea. Bruce said it was happening too.
What do you all think of the new colors? I like them. Let me know.
over and out
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0713071155.jpg
Originally uploaded by bradley j.
this super nintendo game rules
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July 9, 2007
TUCSON, AZ—A party is reportedly underway at 2614 Arcadia Ave., where homeowner Glen Schlatter and no one else is enjoying a six-pack of Olympia Beer. “Yeah, I’m just out here partying,” Schlatter told a friend over the phone. “You oughta come down here and join in, it’s a real good time.” Schlatter, well-known for throwing extremely intimate affairs on weekends, is reportedly considering a whiskey purchase, which would enable him to elevate his partying status to “hearty.”
(gotta love the onion)
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Went to the Cha Cha last night. It was a blast as usual. I even got some NKOTB and Rock and Roll trading cards. Hopefully we can all go there again soon.
Been watching a lot of Tom Goes to the Mayor lately. I like it.
Damion, Jen, and I have been watching of a lot of Kenny vs. Spenny. That show is terrific.
Well, today I have the rest of the day off. Not to sure what I will end up doing. I think lunch is in my near future though. Very near. I will finish putting up my prints today. I put up four of them the other day, and I like where they are. I will take a photo after they are all up and post it.
I got some new vinyl the other day from the outlet in TO.
- Elvis Costello and the Attractions - Get Happy
- Elvis Costello - Taking Liberties
- Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
- Steely Dan - Can’t Buy a Thrill
And also the Woodheads gave me a 7 inch for my birthday.
- Braid and Beezus Split.
Damions dad gave me some vinyl too
- Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
- Cheap Trick - At Budokan
- Sweet - Desolation Boulevard
- Queen - Sheer Heart Attack
- The J. Geils Band - Bloodshot
- Fleetwood Mac - Tusk
- Get The Knack
- The Beatles - White Album
Vinyl is great.
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July 8, 2007
zombie rad kinobi
Originally uploaded by Josh Williams.
Possibly the scariest picture of me ever. Thank you Josh.
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0707071917.jpg
Originally uploaded by bradley j.
Looking for a lil baby bird! It fell from the nest at his parents house.
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July 7, 2007
sky
Originally uploaded by bradley j.
if you were here
i would sing you a song
i would scratch your back
if you’d scratch my arm
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July 6, 2007
0629071851.jpg
Originally uploaded by bradley j.
me in my hammock. relaxing.
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0703071235.jpg
Originally uploaded by bradley j.
Hero chilling out in the pool!
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