Lattes With Latte

On Saturday, McC and I did what seemed only right to do: We took the best Latte in America to get "The Best Latte in America." (according to the New York Times.)

It was a glorious day in Larchmont Village-- even though much of Hollywood was blocked off due to a parade, a high school graduation, palm tree pruning, and perhaps the Daytime Emmy's preshow. It was unclear. But when we finally made it to the adorable strand of shops, Latte was out in full force, making friends with every man, woman and child and cute-ing up the place royally.

He met his shaved pom twin, and like all doppelgangers, it was full hate coming from both sides (but mostly the other guy, because, let's face it, Latte is pretty secure in his cuteness.)

We decided we would have this almond-macadamia nut milk iced-latte no matter how much it cost. And we took bets on just how much we were going to throw down. When we walked in, my eye immediately went to a $13 beverage. "Thirteen dollars," I said out loud to McC. "That's gotta be it. I bet you that's it." 

Luckily, that was a 5 shot extravaganza and the latte we desired only ran us six bucks each. 

Of course, the drinks came in ball jars. And various other products ranged in price from expensive to very expensive, including a small ceramic tumbler that said go get em tiger and cost $43.

Okay, but was it the best latte in America, you want to know? I don't know because, while I have had many lattes in both America and abroad, I haven't had them all. But I'd say it was worth six bucks. And Latte thought so too. The first thing he did was try to steal a sip of McC's.

go get em tiger
230 N. Larchmont Blvd.

Tom Rachman - The Rise & Fall of Great Powers

Here's this book I've been dying waiting to read. The Rise & Fall of Great Powers came out today. I read The Imperfectionists while in that limbo waiting to go to Scotland and just felt warm and fuzzy and real. I've since heard Tom Rachman is an asshole, but I still think he's hot. 

Apparently, even though this new book is weightier, he's still hot (according to the Washington Post) his "impish wit." And there's Wales. 

For this and more summer reading, check this out. 

Long Lost Honeymoon Photos from the Glorious Summer of '39

The Summer of 1939 is noted in the United Kingdom as one of the most beautiful and warm in modern history. It's called the Glorious '39 and it always seemed especially sweet considering it was the last honey-filled days before Fall would the beginning of devastating war for the next six years. Much of Europe, and England, would be leveled during World War II. 

But before anyone knew the devastation to come, there was a summer of bliss. And this honeymoon of a young British couple through Lincolnshire, Durham, Norfolk and Yorkshire in August. The photos of Denys and Margaret Gardiner were thought to be lost until they were recently discovered by their grandson in an attic when Margaret died. They photos were taken by the couple's cousin, Eldred, who was an accomplished photographer. These color slides are a true rarity, preserving an England that was soon to disappear in many ways. On September 1, Hitler invaded Poland. 

For more info, check out the original article.

Monday Music - Pompeii - Bastille

Greetings from Santa Monica! I'm writing to you from 12 stories in the air overlooking the Coast to the North and Santa Monica pier in the distance. Despite the June gloom, it feels more like summer here. Perhaps because I've got some company. 

Reconnecting with one of my favorite childhood friends after 20 years has been pretty amazing. We frequently revert to childlike glee and laugh like hyenas about pretty much nothing. We meet up at her house many days and swim laps in her Olympic sized pool. 

Now that I'm back into swimming laps like when I was a teenager and dancing around like a spazzy kid, the quest for summer songs becomes even more important. I used to keep myself busy while swimming the mile in high school by singing songs in my head under water. Now, they have underwater listeners to help with that. But I've still been jamming out to this song in my head while I swim. 

London-based Bastille has blown up over in Europe, but I'm hoping this energetic business gets a fair shake here too. It's a pretty good kickstart to the week. Enjoy! Hope you have a great Monday!

CHVRCHES - GUN

New CHVRCHES? Yes, please and happy Tuesday. I cannot wait to see these guys again on Friday. I'm gonna get real Scottish on everyone. 

Washed Out - Parascosm - August

Summer just feels lacking if there's not a Washed Out record. I'm sad we'll have to wait until Summer's almost over to have this new one, Paracosm. 

I grew up spending summers with the Sextons and the Greenes in Perry. Blair, Ernie's now wife, and her family are responsible for some of my favorite childhood memories. Her grandmother, Billie, is almost as important to my juvenile education as my own grandmother.  

I'm happy for this little teaser video, but wish we could have a little more to go on. A single perhaps? Either way, we know Ernie's experimenting with a lot more instruments. Fifty, from what I'm told. Maybe I'll write and ask for an advance copy...winkwink. Let the summer begin! I think I'm going to blast some "Amor Fati" on my way down PCH to Pacific Palisades today. Pool Party!

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

Cinco de Mayo Weekend Friday Links

May came to Los Angeles with a vengeance. It's busy busy over here and roasting hot. It's perfect weather for some Cinco de Mayo celebrations though and I'm sort of hoping to squeeze in some time at the beach. 

Here are your links!

- LACMA makeover means demolition?
- I hypothetically shop here every day.
- I never wish I had a PC. But I would like this program. Make it for Mac!
- Nice job on this new reel. The Battery Co.
- This is awesome. I love how Elizabeth I is basically just Tilda Swinton.
- There's going to be a Downton Abbey clothing line. Discuss. 
- Elegance trumps ethics?

- Cinco de mayo calls for tequila. I'm down with pretty much any tequila drink, but if you're in the mood for something lighter and sweeter than a margarita, my go-to is a Paloma. So refreshing. So pretty and pink grapefruity. Here are some of the best places to grab one in LA this weekend. And he's a snazzy recipe to make your own Paloma cocktails... with a twist!

Have a great weekend!

Haw River Ballroom & My Future Artist Colony

After our awesome lunch at the Saxapahaw General Store, we walked the one one road in the town down towards the river. I fell a bit in love with this little condensed compound: a very British style pub called The Eddy, a coffee shop/arts/events ballroom, and the most amazing Sawmill-turned-exposed brick condos EVER. 

I'm dreaming of a next next summer spent living in a two bedroom exposed brick splendor for like $400 a piece and me and Steven finishing Tercio de Muerte or whatever else strikes our fancy. We'll sit outside in the mornings with coffee and strategize the day's writing. We'll write all day. One our days off, we'll go to the art gallery. At night, we'll hit up the ballroom for whatever band is has come to to this small spot on the map. 

The balance between being right in the middle of it all and being right in the middle of nowhere has become a key component of the overall balance of my life, I gotta tell ya. I wouldn't mind spending the whole summer with Lucie right up the street too. 

Everything about this area of North Carolina makes me want to sit outside and make things. Everything about it whispers in your ear how easy it is to be happy. Everything smells like cedar. Everything sounds like cicadas. The whole day, I just kept thinking, "Yep, this is what life is supposed to feel like...."

Your Local 5 Star Gas Station - Saxapahaw General Store

Since my return from abroad, I've been working a lot on retaining that British/European sensibility I genuinely identify with now that I'm back in the States (for now). But I also recognized that it's important to be where you are and love where you are. So I've been on a bit of a mission to fall in love with America again. I got a little answer to my prayers on a five day road trip through some of my favorite parts of the South (largely the hippie parts) with my family. 

Some of the best time I ever spend I spend with my Godmother Lucie-- wherever we are, but especially in North Carolina. Saxpahaw is close enough to university towns to have that feel, but out of the way enough to have small Southern town charm with a hippie soft edge. 

Saxapahaw might be the middle of nowhere, but it is the nexus of all things to love about small hippie Southern artists' towns. Our first stop was the SXPHW General Store where we feasted on brisket sandwiches and local grown vegetables, local cheeses and beers. If I had been travelling with anything more than a small backback, I would have taken a whole lot of that home (Home? Where?) with me. 

We sat in the sunshine while the vegetable garden grew all around us. There, Lucie and I plotted the artist colony in repurposed mill condos we'll start next summer... To Be Continued...

Americana, Man

One week ago, my dad and his surrogate (my surrogate) family, in addition to some culture-shocked Scots, were rocking out to Steamboat Springs at the Myrtle Beach Depot. There was free New South Beer (Red Ale = delicious) and Red Velvet cake and brisket and pretty much everything amazing. 

Dad rocked out in all ways, as usual, but most especially, Statesboro Blues. And I got a little teary, as I always do, when they played Music Man in honor of Jeff. His son Hunter is practically a man now, and I hope a few more of these concerts and we'll have that college fund of his taken care of. 

My family's never quite been the same since my Grandfather died. It's hard to know what to rally around. But these gatherings somehow always clear up the confusion for me. I am enormously grateful for them. And for all the effort of so many people to make it happen. 

I'm not sure that my Scottish friends really appreciated what was going on. Perhaps its kind of an inside joke. But for some just off the boat Scots (And one who's reluctantly heading back) I can guarantee they witnessed some some m-f-in' Americana, Man. 

Let's Go Anywhere

Planes, trains, and automobiles are what my life is about, even as I attempt to be still. I'll be logging a lot of car hours this weekend as I trek around South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. I feel pretty worried at the moment, but I can tell you what I'm going to do no matter what. I'm going to roll the windows down of whatever rented car I might happen to be in and let it all in: the heat, the petrichor, the buzz, the hum. 

Driving around in the South when I was a kid, I felt like I could do anything. That everything was on the road ahead of me. It used to make me want to get out and run. That's how strong I felt. I thought I could get there faster than the car on my own two feet. 

Professional Boat Cruise Taker

You can trip and fall into a magical New York evening. In a way that almost never happened in London, there's always some unexpected place the night will take you. On Thursday, I know I mentioned we went on a boat cruise with Dion and Tyler. (I'm sort of feeling like a professional boat cruise taker these days.) We wore captains hats (Tyler gave his to a kid from Kosovo who got made to stay late at work and missed the boat) and traded glasses and got into trouble back on land later with some liberal pours at Pizza Pub, and most memorably, Tyler stopped the concert to reflect on Lady Liberty as we passed. 

And then he sang this. I think he should release it as a single. I'm just going to keep bugging him to do that once I'm in LA. What do you think? 

PS- Happy 30th Birthday to my protege--hahaha-- Brandon Blackwell. Love you, dude. 

Positively Fourth Street, Always.

Fourth Street. Start on Avenue C. Losaida. Walk all the way from Avenue C to West 4th. Recalling every in and out, every short cut through a garden. Past my first apartment with no lock where I made my best friends, and Perbacco--  the best Italian restaurant in New York. Past the housing project where we watched that man look up at the sun and then die. Watching a group of friends help each other move a mattress. Remembering when my friends helped me carry my things west from 4th & B to 4th & 2nd, which burned down, but has now been rebuilt. 

Some things, I remember the old: the new bar, Dorian Gray, that once used to be the tribal jewelry store (no surprise that disappeared) and others, I only remember used to be something else. Some place else I never frequented. 

The same guys still work in the bodega. Belcourt looks exactly the same and I bet still serves amazing Bloody Marys, but it's called Caliope now. Past what was once Cuppa Cuppa, where a mean middle aged New York lady named Jenny eventually became my friend after about a year of me wearing her down with smiles when I bought my iced-coffee everyday. (Just proving every hardened New Yorker still wants a friend.) I wonder if the FAB center bought her out, or if she had to close anyhow. I hope she's happy and retired somewhere and not lonely. 

Past all the places along 4th and Washington Square Park where Steven and I dumped pieces of our set after VOTE! at Minetta Lane closed. We were so stealth. We didn't want to get arrested. We were high on margaritas. We had crowbars. It was one of the funnest nights ever. Who doesn't like being in league with someone? Being part of a low-stakes conspiracy? 

I'm in league with New York City. She's like my big sister who keeps my secrets from our parents. 

New York, in many ways,  is like that older sister. She taught you everything you know, She's cooler than you, She often pretends to be indifferent to you, or even annoyed by your presence, but actually, she loves you. And you love her. I may not always choose to live here in New York City, choose to live my life the way she does, but I'll always love her, conspire with her and look up to her best. 

What a Wonderful World Friday Links

Even though I get pretty wound up about the state of things-- personally and worldwide, there's also a lot that's right. I'm completing things, I'm spending time with the people I care about and making new friends. Last night, I was on a boat cruise on the East River, listening to Dion and Tyler Hilton. 

When we got near the Statue of Liberty, Tyler stopped singing and we all just appreciated our surroundings. It was a gorgeous New York night. The sun had not quite dipped below the horizon line and Lady Liberty was washed in a rose colored light. Once we had passed, he didn't go back to the song he was singing before. He went into one of the best renditions of "What a Wonderful World" I've ever heard. I'll upload it. You'll see. 

Have an awesome and safe Labor Day weekend, you guys. I want to spend the weekend reading in a big chair. Here are your links. 

- Everything Has Its Way. 
- What Americans actually do all day long. 
- I was just in Italy last month (feels like a lifetime ago) and I want to go back. 
-Sooooo many things about the politics of being a woman these days. Bic can help. Read the comments.
- Even Fox News thought this speech was full of lies. 'Cuz it was.
- One-Conditional Love
- Excerpt from Michael Chabon's new novel, Telegraph Avenue. Oooh!
- Excerpt from Zadie Smith's new novel, NW. Oooh!

Fountains of Rome

One of my favorite things about Rome was the abundance of fresh water fountains. There's always been free-flowing water from the aqueducts. Everyone's heard of Trevi Fountain and its wish granting. But in addition to the majestic wish granting kind, Rome is filled with fontanelles or nasoni (for their nose shaped spouts) you can drink from. Not only are they (at least most of them) beautiful, but under the hot Italian Summer sun, it was important to stay hydrated. The water in Rome's fountains is both deliciously drinkable and so so cold. 

We saved a fortune by not having to buy water bottles as we walked all over the city and it was so nice to cool down our swollen feet and ankles. I'm not kidding when I say it was real real hot when we were there. And I'm from Vegas, so I know me some hot. It actually felt a lot like Vegas, but with more breeze. (Thankfully.) 

The difference between Trevi in the day and Trevi at night was amazing. Pictures don't do it justice. I definitely made wishes. And at one, in the middle of an expanse of green, I wanted to run through the sprinklers to get to it. 

For the full list of Rome's fountains, check this out.

You Have Got to Be Here - Last of London

Today is my last full day in the UK. I had a lovely chat and two cappuccinos this morning with the dear Helen MacInnes, who also helped me pack. And now, I'm doing thoselast odds and ends-- or bits and bobs--  under the sun, and occasional rain, here in London. 


There's a lot I'm going to miss. There's a lot I'm not going to miss, too. But mostly, when I look back on my time in London, I'll think of it as a place of near misses--- one that almost could have been perfect, but like most amazing things in life, slipped away.  One more of the beautiful ephemera. 


If you'll forgive a bit more Frank Ocean, "My friend said it wasn't so bad/ You can't miss what you ain't had/ Well, I can."


I'll miss the way the sun reflects off Regent's Canal. I'll miss the poetry of local places. And how you can have friends who live in converted gun factories.I'll miss the squares and the way so much of London feels like a heart-- with big arteries and little veins and how turning a corner can take you to a kind of London totally different from the previous street. I'll especially miss the smell of jasmine that floats through the air all over my neighborhood. 


There's the old saying the devil is the details. And this is certainly true. Especially of my time here, when so many things were nearly mine. When so much almost-but-not-quite worked out. But, of course, the saying derives from an earlier idiom, God is in the details. And this is even more especially true. 


My former boss and dear friend, Bob Hofmann, once did a really great impression of his old drama teacher-- in that very exaggerated drama teacher kind of way-- "YOU have got to BE HERE." About committing to the scene. We used to laugh and bring it up in all kinds of situations. But I have carried it with me everywhere I've ever gone. Even when you know you're not long for a particular place, you can't go wrong being present in that place every moment you have it. That act alone is as sweet as the jasmine I will miss so very much about this beautiful-- if rainy, and lonely-- city. 

Olympic Opening Links

Well, the Olympics start today. Because of that, obviously, the weather has taken a turn back to the usual: dreary rain. The upside is that I've been spending my evenings reading with small children on the terrace while the sun sets and music from the Hyde Park concerts drifts past. The downside is that they promise to disrupt my going away party and probably the open house I'm having to try to fill my room when the girl I had lined up dropped out a week before I'm leaving the country. 


I don't enjoy being organized on these matters only to be stuck with the same amount of stress and scrambling as if I hadn't been organized at all. I was planning on living off the money from my returned deposit, so... we'll see what happens now. Absolutely no one is available to let a girl in to see the place on Saturday while both Fiona and I are in Rome. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a great example of the lack of a solid support system in London for me. And part of why I know it's time to go. Sure... it could get built over time... but... yeah. Anyhow, the links:


- My friend Amy's Salon article about racism and the Olympics
- How persuasion works (clearly, I have a hit/miss track record with this)
- Oh, awesome. The super rich are hiding 21 trillion in various offshore tax havens. 
- The amazing Frank Rich on America's decline
- Solidarity with single moms. But I do think kids should have 2 parents. At least!
- The science of Compassion
- Free Bates! Downton's Third Season is almost here!
- Thanks for the shout out, Time Out New York Kids Blog
- Whoops, Romney. (Always, apparently.)
- My friend made phillycheesesteak ice cream. Check it. 
- Oh, nuclear river and your unidentifiable monsters! I return to you in one week

Monday Music - Summer Mixes from my Brother

London's weather is nothing short of a miracle at the moment. For that, I send up a hallelujah. When the sun comes out, I simply must have a buffet of music to celebrate it. Luckily, this summer is full of great music. I'm not just talking about Milo Greene, Frank Ocean and Passion Pit, etc etc etc... I could really just go on and on... I'm also talking about the mixes my bro has been posting on his soundcloud page. 


It's wild and heartwarming to discover how respected my brother is in his industry. I'm feeling pretty proud. And I am counting down the days until I get to see him in action. The last time I saw him, he looked like this. Although, I think it's safe to say we both still look scarily similar to how we looked when we were ten, his real life face twenty years later is gonna look pretty good to me. In the meantime, I'll enjoy his skills via the internet and share them with you. I hope wherever you are, you're feeling that Summer feeling-- that it's sunny and filled with music. 

A Most Whimsical London Pub - Commercial Tavern

Not long ago, my friend Kate and I hit up her local to discuss all manner of philosophy and current issues. It was a rainy Sunday afternoon and Commercial Tavern's embanked window tables with roses overlooking Shoreditch was the perfect place to get lost in philosophy and lose track of time. 


It's hard to be discovering so much to love about London as I'm detaching. I can feel it happening. In a way, so much is already gone. Each day feels sadly final of something or other. But until I am the one to actually get on the plane, there is Commercial Tavern with its dreamy birds and golden local ales and music that drifts past our conversations and out into the streets.

Frank Ocean - Channel Orange

Lately, I've been doing a lot of talking. That's okay. But I'm a big fan of listening too. Enough people have already voiced their commentary on Frank Ocean. So I just want to listen. Like most people with ears. Today, I  just want to take advantage of the leak of sunshine through the apocalyptic sky and listen to Channel Orange. I just want to listen to Frank Ocean and bliss out on Summer. Or at least the idea of it. 


Steam for yourself.