tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39773978677368293062012-01-21T17:22:47.184-08:00Peace, Love, & Journalism in the City of Angels~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.comBlogger1041100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-34651176762403428212012-01-21T17:22:00.000-08:002012-01-21T17:22:47.193-08:00

Photo by me!    http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/southern-california-moments/

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-21215348546357518002011-12-26T20:46:00.000-08:002011-12-26T20:46:28.568-08:00

Secret: I've always dreamed of becoming a photographer. If I could anything and get paid for it, and being a travel show host wasn't a possibility, I'd be a photographer. So I've decided to do it. Might take some time, but I'm one step closer. Feel like joining me? newsmebaby.tumblr.com

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-9638270164893180322011-03-06T20:22:00.000-08:002011-03-06T20:22:15.877-08:00

My Main Man, Pulitzer Prize winning Jonathan Gold, is at it again. L.A.'s Best Cocktails. This one's self explanatory (but here's a little taste..) But 55 essential cocktails? Why not 99? Why not 82? Why a number associated with that which Sammy Hagar cannot drive? Because I drive. Because I have a human liver. Because however much you may adore the saketini at that little place in Torrance, it

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-15082576337087490422011-03-06T20:06:00.000-08:002011-03-06T20:06:46.202-08:00

It is a strange progression of events that led me to be sitting on my sister's couch Googling "Today Show guy in Audience" on this fine Sunday afternoon. See, I moved into a very, very small room masquerading as a "guest house" conveniently located as far as possible from any bus stop, and perched atop the main house on the lot, owned by a lovely Indian family who believe the term "

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-62138451362607728192010-11-14T09:41:00.000-08:002010-11-14T09:41:48.544-08:00

Los Angeles and I have a love/hate relationship. It may be the urban hood I call home, but it doesn't often feel welcoming. This city will Beat. You. DOWN, but then give you a little love tap on the rear, just so you know there's no hard feelings. One thing Los Angeles has? Food. Lots and lots of food. And the king of the castle: Mr. Jonathan Gold, meandering though the seedy back alleys of this

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-35203074116721663452010-04-18T17:11:00.000-07:002010-04-18T17:12:21.407-07:00

Just got an invite for a movie screening at Arclight Sherman Oaks. Umm....tell me this doesn't sounds like the BEST MOVIE EVER. "Jodie Foster directs and co-stars in this offbeat, emotional film about Walter Black (Mel Gibson), an executive at a toy company whose mid-life crisis is breaking up his family. He drifts apart from his wife (Foster) and two sons, at a crucial time in his oldest son’s

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-61086448423247762902010-04-17T10:32:00.000-07:002010-04-17T10:33:25.979-07:00

This is totally un-newsworthy, but set my little heart a-flutter.  Victoria's Secret PINK! has just launched a Major League Baseball line. Sexy Dodger Gear. My life is freaking complete. http://www2.victoriassecret.com/collection/?cgname=OSPNKMLBTMS&cgnbr=OSPNKMLBTMS&rfnbr=7212&cm_mmc=di-_-100417PNK-_-v01-_-v17&cm_em=erinholness@gmail.com

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-13575500039057762572010-02-21T19:02:00.000-08:002010-02-21T19:02:33.817-08:00

Why I will never, ever, buy Charmin. Even if it's on sale. Just fucking disturbing. 

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-30672867913235703182010-02-03T13:28:00.000-08:002010-02-04T10:35:22.704-08:00

In the words of the great Randy Newman,  I Love L.A. But I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate parking in L.A. Deciphering parking signage in this city is absolutely insane. Non-Angelenos: check out the picture to the right, and you tell me when you want to park there. The latest infuriating parking inhibitor? Those god-damned PODS. As if parking wasn't hard enough, some lazy neighbor has had one of

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-46235142077042581022010-01-18T23:16:00.000-08:002010-01-18T23:26:28.559-08:00

And so it is that I've decided to go on a European adventure. England, Ireland, Scotland. Long lost family, heritage, pints and chips.It's on. September, 2010.May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back...

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-59805497570181872402009-12-27T18:37:00.000-08:002009-12-27T22:30:49.224-08:00

So I was raised Catholic. I went to church every Sunday. I was baptized. I took part in the annual Christmas Eve pageants, and wrote award-winning essays about the meaning of the Christmas Star. I wore a tiny wedding dress to my First Communion. I even went to confession.When I got to be about 13 years old, I started thinking for myself. I decided I was over it. Church didn't really do it for me

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-52529513211473567602009-12-08T19:35:00.001-08:002009-12-08T19:51:32.388-08:00

So...that whole thing about the Russian government controlling the weather? Umm...it's true.No. Really.In Russia, nobody rains on the parade -- because the Russian government doesn't allow it."Victory Day is the most sacred holiday for us," says Bagrat Danilian, deputy chief of cloud seeding at the observatory. "When veterans go out to celebrate in Moscow, we create good weather for them."All it

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-84993913725471206902009-12-03T22:02:00.000-08:002009-12-04T08:39:30.108-08:00

In September, 2001, I was 17. That's the year Osama bin Laden and the Afghan terrorist group, the Taliban, attacked the United States.In March, 2003, I was 19 years old. That's the year President Bush took us to war in Afghanistan Iraq.The day we went to war, I sat on my couch glued to MSNBC. I watched infrared videos of never-ending explosions. I tried to understand why we were blowing the shit

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-26141480566899867002009-11-16T13:29:00.000-08:002009-11-16T14:43:45.972-08:00

I will not be getting the H1N1 vaccine.I don't consider myself a conspiracy theorist, but I get the feeling some pharmaceutical company is making a killing off of the 250 million doses the U.S. Government just snapped up (if you're interested, the manufacturers of the H1N1 vaccine are Sanofi Pasteur, Novartis, MedImmune and CSL Limited).Despite a giant lapse in vaccination upkeep in my lifetime,

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-81171363528956115582009-10-29T12:58:00.000-07:002009-10-29T15:37:28.585-07:00

Earlier this week I sat at a red light in West LA and watched a homeless man cross the street. A common scene, yes. But something about the look in this man's eyes just killed me. He exuded a sadness and strength that told the story of a life full of pride, love and devastation.I don't know what his real story was. But I couldn't care less if he was a widowed war veteran or a man fallen victim to

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-23809946664331639032009-10-27T14:45:00.000-07:002009-10-27T15:07:08.223-07:00

So, because apparently there's nothing more interesting going on in the world than debating the weirdness factor of LAPD PSAs, I bring you...iWatch.For those who haven't read the headlines (fun stuff like "LAPD Creeping Out America," or "Terrorism: Important or Incredibly Creepy?"), I will attempt to explain the dilemma here.LAPD has a new program. It's called iWatch. It's a way to report

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-40267430752050649622009-09-18T10:04:00.000-07:002009-09-18T10:10:55.883-07:00

FYI, my J. Gold Essential Blog Part 2 has been updated to reflect those restaurants on the J. Gold 105 that are also participating in DineLA Restaurant Week 2009.Check it out here.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-23100637295153441552009-09-01T23:50:00.000-07:002009-09-02T00:48:45.977-07:00

Sitting in Dodger Stadium, I often find myself silently grooving to Rafael Furcal's sweet at-bat music. Of course, I have no idea what the lyrics are or what they mean, so I can't really get down like the rest of the upper reserve section.Luckily for me, Roberto over at Vin Scully is my Homeboy made a list of all the at-bat songs for my favorite Boys in Blue.Furcal= Chambonea Omega. Not sure if

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-26272371433786043052009-08-30T23:24:00.000-07:002009-09-21T17:49:50.218-07:00

**9.17.09** Updated- those restaurants on the J. Gold list that are participating in Dine LA Week have been noted. Click here to see a list of all participating restaurants and their special, Dine LA week menus- valid October 4-9 and 11-16.Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic, Jonathan Gold (@thejgold on Twitter), of the LA Weekly, published his updated list of the 99 Essential Los Angeles

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-49636659050618644322009-08-30T19:05:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:17:15.332-07:00

The Station Fire, currently burning out of control in the La Canada area of the Angeles National Forest, is rapidly approaching the communications towers of Mt. Wilson.Most firefighters have been pulled from the area, and though some crews are still working to clear the brush around the historic Mt. Wilson observatory, officials say they expect the fire to reach the area within the next few

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-83810224374786688832009-08-27T06:06:00.000-07:002009-08-27T06:13:17.980-07:00

It's here! It's here!Jonathan Gold's annual list of the 99 Essential Los Angeles Restaurants has arrived. Unfortunately, I can't open my present 'til later this evening, but expect a News Me Baby Redo of The Essential Blog over the next few days. No spoilers please!As an added bonus, our local Pulitzer winner has recently joined Twitter. Follow @thejgold for some of the most poetically written

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-12213383248143891752009-08-12T09:21:00.000-07:002009-08-12T17:08:28.859-07:00

For two weeks I've tried half-heartedly to understand the healthcare reform debate. I watched a little news, read a couple of articles, and generally wrote the whole thing off as this month's Obama is the Devil stunt ala the Tea Party Protestors of April '09.But over the last few days, things have changed. Yesterday a man named William Kostrik arrived outside a town hall meeting in New Hampshire

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-51801765362530682212009-07-28T22:14:00.000-07:002009-07-28T23:39:22.527-07:00

When 58-year-old Henry Louis Gates returned to his Cambridge, Massachusetts home on July 16, he had a hard time opening his door. He called for his driver to help him gain entrance to his home. While struggling with the door, a neighbor called police to report a possible break-in in progress.When Sgt. James Crowley of the Cambridge Police Department arrived, he demanded to see Gates'

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-33945211227088376352009-06-29T10:12:00.000-07:002009-06-29T10:45:11.028-07:00

No, really!Earlier this month, President Obama passed through the so-called "Cash for Clunkers Bill," aka the "Erin Might Drive a New Car For the First Time in Her Life Bill."Essentially, the Government wants you to trade in your crap old car for something a little more environmentally friendly. This drives business to dealers, in turn stimulating the economy and hopefully letting a few auto

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-83201314699533246282009-06-22T19:32:00.000-07:002009-06-23T10:41:29.019-07:00

Listen up, Renters! This one's for you.If you are among the many, MANY apartment dwellers in this fine city (or elsewhere), you've no doubt had to put up with trying times. Something's broken, landlord won't fix it. Someone in your building is loud/annoying/insane/stealing your mail, and the landlord won't do anything about it. You come home Friday night, excited about sleeping in the next day,

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-18232000849019267952009-05-18T15:42:00.000-07:002009-05-18T15:53:06.086-07:00

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-50063881791689957012009-05-13T22:55:00.000-07:002009-05-13T23:10:28.447-07:00

I'm an EL Monte police officer. I'm chasing a fugitive through the streets of East LA. Helicopters fly overhead, broadcasting every moment live on local news stations. The guy stops. He's lying on the ground, hands behind his back. No longer threatening violence. I'm the first one on the scene.Should I...A) Point my gun, tell him to stay down, and wait for backup (which, clearly, is only seconds

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-21972885510893657632009-05-07T12:54:00.000-07:002009-05-07T13:11:10.332-07:00

News Me Baby is a Dodger Fan. I bleed Dodger blue, and all that jazz.So the news that my main squeeze, Manny Ramirez, was suspended for 50 games today after testing positive for drug use was a bit of shock.You can't dispute test results, but I'm all kinds of pissed off that Manny was suspended. 50 games? For (what's being reported as) a little bedtime performance enhancer?Screw you, MLB.It

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-82847492750033349132009-04-29T11:23:00.001-07:002009-04-29T12:01:23.532-07:00

The story of Rodney King is one that the world, and Angelenos in particular will always remember. It's on par with the asassination of JFK or MLK Jr., the Northridge quake, and 9/11. In our 90's, we'll still be able to recall where we were, and what we were doing when we first heard the news.The brutal beating of a man named Rodney King, off a deserted Los Angeles freeway in March 1991, was the

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-84538010808752059672009-04-16T09:07:00.000-07:002009-04-16T12:11:01.409-07:00

Fueled by Republican party organizers and the "fair and balanced" gentlemen over at Fox News, thousands of Americans took to the streets yesterday to protest increased taxes initiated by President Obama. The event coincided with Tax Day, and took it's inspiration from the infamous Boston Tea Party of 1773, in which colonists threw cartons of newly taxed tea into the harbor.Of course, we all have

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-2568469760906927792009-04-03T12:02:00.000-07:002009-04-03T12:05:15.080-07:00

So President Obama bowed to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at the G20 summit.SO?Right-wing conservatives are freaking out over this one. "Disgraceful. President Obama should be impeached on charges of TREASON! For bowing to a foreign leader. The Bastard.Of course, when your middle name is Hussein and you will not release your original birth certificate, what else can one expect? Maybe he was

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-82636194000051115342009-03-24T13:29:00.000-07:002009-03-24T13:30:54.503-07:00

Live feed begins at 5pm pacific, 8pm eastern.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-24064762088128702562009-03-24T00:54:00.000-07:002009-03-24T01:05:10.809-07:00

OK, so he's not exactly Batman, but this guy has all the makings of a superhero.He rode into space, clinging for life on the side of the Discovery space shuttle. NASA let him go. And he freaking survived."Infrared imagery shows he was alive and not frozen like many would think ... Liftoff imagery analysis confirmed that he held on until at least the vehicle cleared [the] tower before we lost

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-51117960707355302582009-03-18T09:57:00.000-07:002009-03-19T00:34:14.346-07:00

The dreaded envelope has arrived. You've been summoned. And guess what? You're going (dramatic pause...) DOWNTOWN.Now, Downtown L.A. is not like Downtown Chicago, or Downtown Manhattan. Sure, we have big buildings. But our downtown is not exactly vibrant. You'd be hard pressed to find a way to spend that 90-minute lunch hour.Or will you?The Los Angeles Superior Court has two downtown jury

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-996322388193007912009-03-16T13:33:00.000-07:002009-03-16T13:35:43.462-07:00

From Jezebel.com

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-65536104314103168882009-03-16T13:20:00.000-07:002009-03-16T13:32:33.470-07:00

Check out the totally nerdy, but somewhat awesome www.StuffJournalistsLike.com. It's fairly self-explanatory, sometimes funny, sometimes sad. Here's an example...#75 low pay Journalists like to think of themselves as the regular working man/woman. Journalist like to kick the same dust as regular folks. Yes there are the millionaire reporters. But those are as rare as readers who

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-65625292137370272912009-03-12T17:49:00.000-07:002009-03-12T17:53:34.257-07:00

So my cable has been out for two days. I've twittered about it. The cable company apparently employs one TwitterMan to search updates for anyone talking about their company. This TwitterMan is now all over my tweets. Here, his latest:

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-77632830438743707972009-03-12T14:32:00.000-07:002009-03-12T17:37:52.904-07:00

On the heels of his massive near $800 billion stimulus package, President Obama has just signed a $410 billion omnibus spending bill. Wire services and Twitter updates alike are all abuzz about the more than 9000 earmarks included in this bill. Earmarks, pork barrel politics, siphoning the fat, and spending reform....like everyone else, I was confused. So, like any good journalista, I looked

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-59484827079273258402009-03-10T12:29:00.000-07:002009-03-10T12:39:53.086-07:00

It's no secret, News Me Baby is a big fan of Jonathan Gold. Here, his latest incredible article.Read along as Mr. Gold turns the act of shaking a martini into a beautiful piece of poetry. Am I being dramatic? No. There's a reason he won that Pulitzer.It is nearing one a.m., and the music has started to fade, and the quarrel that seemed so important over dinner has already crumbled out of memory.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-77332898804211702912009-03-09T10:32:00.001-07:002009-03-09T11:15:12.468-07:00

BBC has a pretty interesting article written by a British journalist about the U.S. custom of tipping for services.Now, from personal experience, I can tell you foreigners definitely seem confused by the whole "what to tip" question. But that doesn't mean I'll give them any worse service. I may try to trade a table or two, but I'd do that with some of you Yanks too. Call it ageist, call it sexist

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-44550508258614243482009-03-02T12:28:00.000-08:002009-03-02T12:38:32.738-08:00

The passage of Prop 8 last fall rescinded the right for same-sex couples to marry. This week, the state Supreme Court will hear arguments as to whether or not to repeal the controversial proposition.Fingers crossed...

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-30302846702560980482009-03-02T11:37:00.000-08:002009-03-02T12:14:47.563-08:00

I love MSNBC, and not just because Keith Olbermann is one the network's stars. I make it a point to visit the site every morning for intelligent writing and headlines from around the globe.But MSNBC's site is chock-full of terrible, terrible advertising. It's generally easy to avoid- I'm not about to click a flash graphic advertising mortgage refinancing on the side column (or a "Free Government

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-63930556520965337182009-02-25T13:07:00.000-08:002009-02-25T13:24:12.857-08:00

My favorite part:It is our responsibility as lawmakers and educators to make this system work. But it is the responsibility of every citizen to participate in it. And so tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship. But whatever the

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-65217768616362732962009-02-24T10:42:00.000-08:002009-02-24T11:55:40.933-08:00

Am I the only one who loved the Oscars this year? The way the media is talking you'd think I was.In a downright depressing post-Oscar piece, Mary McNamara of The Los Angeles Times posted this scathing review of the show. She writes..."Interpreting all the best picture nominees in a way that seemed way more Broadway than Hollywood, Jackman wound up on Frank Langella's lap, which was just as weird

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-18590336563849293602009-02-23T13:02:00.000-08:002009-02-24T09:25:06.247-08:00

Obama Roll, with teeth of fish paste,skin of shrimp, and hair of black sesame.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-46447519535482911772009-02-21T11:45:00.000-08:002009-02-21T14:00:12.416-08:00

Stolen from a sibling's blog...More RidiculousnessYOUR MOVEThere's a triple-word-score on the board set between us,And I know the space will just serve to defeat us.'Cause you set down your tiles, aglow, full of pride,Then I throw out a word that beats yours by a landslide!In Clue you've no clue, you demand the revolver,I take secret passages, ever so clever,By the time you begin to suspect

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-44770095326150079162009-02-20T10:40:00.000-08:002009-02-20T10:51:00.398-08:00

Just finished the latest episode of "Sober House" on my fake Tivo. OMG.Watch as Rodney King takes a trip down memory lane with Dr. Drew in tow. Sad, sad, stuff- but what an amazing man.VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-68405160969896199442009-02-20T09:28:00.000-08:002009-02-20T10:18:44.506-08:00

A new Harris poll shows President Obama is America's biggest hero.Jesus took second place, and Martin Luther King Jr. took third.Rounding out the top ten: Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Abraham Lincoln, John McCain, John F. Kennedy, Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and Mother Teresa.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-84006664076081845022009-02-17T08:37:00.000-08:002009-02-17T09:18:06.073-08:00

Did anyone read "Dreams from my Father?"I tried. I got a couple of chapters in and sort of forgot about it. I always wanted to finish it up, but Obama wasn't President then- hell, he wasn't even the nominee- and I was slightly less intrigued.Apparently there's a chapter half-way in where Mr. Prez introduces a buddy of his- Ray. Ray used a lot of colorful language, and so Obama quoted him

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-60794655527265021192009-02-16T12:40:00.000-08:002009-02-16T12:58:11.662-08:00

My iTunes has been diligently downloading President Obama's weekly addresses over the last four weeks. I just spent the last 20 minutes catching up.Here, a favorite quote from the Valentine's Day edition."This morning I'm reminded of words President Kennedy spoke in another time of uncertainty. 'Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. So not pray for tasks equal to your powers, but

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-59470584100919489012009-02-16T11:11:00.000-08:002009-02-16T11:27:36.369-08:00

Yes, I stole that phrase from the BF (his weekly column at the LAist, "Recession Obsession," can be found here).But seriously- beautiful, original art at less than $50- including shipping? I'm addicted!With V-day approaching, I wanted to get the BF a piece from a New Mexico gallery we had visited on a recent trip. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out the name of the gallery from L.A. So I went to

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-61760087937167525732009-02-12T08:18:00.000-08:002009-02-16T22:59:34.989-08:00

Still looking for that perfect (or slightly awkward?) Valentine's Day date? Why not treat your sweetie to a night of meditative lovin' in Mar Vista:Valentine’s Day is typically a day of atonement for lousy boyfriends. It's a Get Out of The Dog House card, erasing 364 days of relationship-disinterest. Not a bad deal for the low cost of dinner at The Grove and a grocery store-bought floral

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-71294119827465282502009-02-09T16:49:00.001-08:002009-02-28T14:17:28.954-08:00

I know I'm not the only one who has been recently bombarded by emails and ads promising free money from the government to pay off personal debt. You know what I'm talking about- flash graphics screaming at you from Facebook sidebars and Google Ads with headlines like these:"How I Got $12,000 in 7 Days, with a Dead Simple Method""Get your piece of the pie- $12,000 in government funds in less than

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-50976535561544829462009-02-07T13:28:00.000-08:002009-02-09T17:54:41.688-08:00

Watch the video, think about it, and sign the petition at www.TJSullivanLA.com.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-35215436448683341132009-02-07T12:25:00.000-08:002009-02-09T17:53:55.195-08:00

If you have email you've most likely received this latest internet chain letter from somebody recently. If you're on Facebook, you can't escape it. Now, even The New York Times is writing about it. "Here’s how it works: friends send you an e-mail message (or, on Facebook, “tag” you in a note posted to their profile) with 25 heartfelt observations about themselves — like “I named my son after a

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-66194217083195971542009-02-07T09:33:00.001-08:002009-02-07T09:40:26.185-08:00

It's things like this that make the silly romantic in me smile.While driving through Downtown a few nights ago, I spotted this giant glowing heart on the side of a building. Not having a camera with me at the time, I found this picture on the Metro's website.There's just something pretty damn cute about a big lit up heart shining through the rain.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-38793114222663599142009-02-05T11:14:00.000-08:002009-02-05T12:12:15.393-08:00

All images via Flickr.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-26902559214964271322009-02-05T10:19:00.000-08:002009-02-05T12:11:54.989-08:00

The classic Disneyland attraction, "It's a Small World" will reopen tomorrow, after a year of repairs and controversial renovations. Seems the Disney Imagineers wanted to breathe a bit of New Disney into a tired concept. Set amongst the oh-so-cute and culturally diverse singing dolls, riders will now find the cast of "Finding Nemo," "Pirates of the Caribbean," and "Aladdin," among others. This

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-90623965462486870432009-02-04T10:34:00.000-08:002009-02-04T10:36:55.516-08:00

LAist has an exclusive interview with "Sober House" star Jennifer Gimenez. She shares her uplifting story of recovery, and some great pictures, here:Meet Jennifer Gimenez

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-38789081384292409372009-02-03T12:20:00.000-08:002009-02-03T13:35:15.133-08:00

With the country glued to the TV on Sunday afternoon, Denny's restaurant chain took the opportunity to run a simple commercial:"Free Grand Slam for all Americans. Tuesday, February 3rd. 6am to 2pm."It was perhaps the least expensive commercial to make, but it may have had the biggest consumer impact. The Monday evening news ran the story, and Facebook and Twitter statuses were abuzz with Tuesday

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-13369328909789970962009-02-01T22:37:00.000-08:002009-02-01T22:53:34.956-08:00

Ever wonder what your neighbors paychecks are like? How about when your apartment was built?Check out L.A. Life. This fascinating little gem of a website will not only give you a bird's eye view of any address in Los Angeles County, it will give you crime stats, school stats, average age and income of your neighborhood, and the percentage of college degree holders, among other things.Yes, it's a

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-57165593271324940412009-01-30T13:27:00.000-08:002009-01-30T14:04:43.392-08:00

Freedom of speech, yes. But the Greenwich Village baker who recently started selling "Drunken Negro Heads" in his trendy cafe is probably wishing he could go back in time a week or two. Ted Kefalinos, owner of Lafayette French Pastry Bakery in New York, started selling the chocolate cookies on MLK day, "in honor of" President Barack Obama.Kefalinos has since apologized (kind of), saying "it was

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-13791015677941018532009-01-29T20:39:00.000-08:002009-01-30T14:04:26.920-08:00

BBC and NY Times reporting...."Illinois Governor Guilty of Abuse" -BBC"Blagojevich Has His Final Say, Making Day of it" -NY TimesGotta love this passage from the New York Times piece..."As the nine-seat airplane raced through the skies on Thursday somewhere between Springfield and here, an onboard telephone began to ring. Rod R. Blagojevich, the soon-to-be ex-governor of Illinois,

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-59942257325189004612009-01-29T11:42:00.000-08:002009-01-29T16:59:07.634-08:00

The U.S. House passed President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment bill Wednesday, without any help from Republicans. The controversial measure passed through to the Senate with a vote of 244 to 188.The $819 billion economic stimulus package will hit the Senate floor next week, and while Republicans will likely demand amendments, due to the 58-41 Democratic majority split, it's expected

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-67756000827634848172009-01-28T12:19:00.000-08:002009-01-28T14:25:56.573-08:00

After 40-year-old Ervin Lupoe shot and killed his wife and five young children earlier this week, he faxed a rambling suicide note to the Los Angeles ABC affiliate, KABC.The letter revealed what Lupoe believed was the justification for his actions. He and his wife, Ana Lupoe, had both been fired from their positions at Kaiser Permanente earlier this month following allegations of fraud and

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-91330847745517897132009-01-27T12:41:00.000-08:002009-01-27T13:01:38.483-08:00

A story I did for KCSN in December, 2007 about the danger of diesel fumes to children on school buses. This piece won the Hearst Broadcasting Award for 2008.Download Erin Holness - School Bus ExhaustLink opens to a streaming feed.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-84938128741142706002009-01-27T11:11:00.000-08:002009-01-27T12:56:24.903-08:00

I had heard that President Obama was going to be recording weekly podcasts throughout the course of his Presidency, but somehow I missed the fact that these would be on iTunes, in the form of video podcasts available for subscription.Well, needless to say, I'm a subscriber now. The Prez has the most popular podcast on iTunes, and for good reason. What better way to figure out what the

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-91607440108565216592009-01-22T10:37:00.000-08:002009-01-27T12:30:48.662-08:00

Check out Newseum- a virtual museum of the front pages of newspapers from around the country. Wednesday= Incredible.Photo from front page of the Arizona Daily Star, Wednesday January 21st, 2009

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-16569786082590045632009-01-22T10:36:00.001-08:002009-01-27T12:31:20.624-08:00

Clintons, Broads at Inaug

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-43699361314613477962009-01-22T10:01:00.000-08:002009-01-27T12:35:12.626-08:00

My top stories of the day:President Obama is off to a running start, having already signed an executive order to close down the detention center at Guantanamo Bay and create a task force to reevaluate interrogation methods.Citing "personal reasons," Caroline Kennedy has withdrawn her bid for the New York Senate seat.Oscar noms include posthumous supporting actor nod for Heath Ledger, best picture

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-91592007446849517662009-01-21T08:48:00.000-08:002009-01-27T12:32:33.647-08:00

Embedded video from CNN VideoAfter the traditional slow dance, the President and First Lady boogied down with the crowd. Watch that video on CNN.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-57883543959643443072009-01-20T17:06:00.000-08:002009-01-27T12:36:44.828-08:00

This has to be one of my favorite moments of the day. Al Roker finally gets a presidential interview- and actually got the first post-speech press statement from President Barack Obama.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-66036997906135078232009-01-20T13:51:00.000-08:002009-01-27T12:37:44.842-08:00

MSNBC reports Senator Ted Kennedy, after making such an impact in his much-talked about fedora earlier this morning, has fallen ill. He has been rushed to a D.C. hospital, where officials say he is alert and awake.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-16941437967757630482009-01-20T10:29:00.000-08:002009-01-27T12:38:34.475-08:00

Yes, my cable went out, 5 minutes in to President Obama's speech. I don't want to talk about it.I was moved to tears today. First as President Obama took the oath of office. Then as my television screen went out for 10 minutes. I kept tearing up until I saw Bush board Executive 1. Couldn't cry after that. Too amazing for tears.What a day.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-6189292543945730642009-01-20T07:42:00.000-08:002009-01-27T12:40:02.323-08:00

The coffee is ready, and I scooped the last L.A. Times from the box on the corner (75 cents!?). MSNBC has been blasting since 7am and I already have too many favorite Inauguration day quotes. Here, a partial list:"To answer the question we were asking, 'would Senator Kennedy be here', you're damn right he would be here." -Keith Olbermann"Has Ted Kennedy brought back the hat?" - Chris Matthews"I

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-87536319870737241512009-01-20T01:24:00.000-08:002009-01-27T12:41:06.518-08:00

On L.A. Observed:More L.A. Times layoffs imminent...Bad news for this j-school grad.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-48647976601877917652009-01-20T00:47:00.000-08:002009-01-20T01:21:46.421-08:00

Tonight, on the eve of the presidential inauguration, Countdown with Keith Olbermann broadcast from Washington D.C.Keith led off with some breaking news- VP Dick Cheney threw out his back while moving boxes out of the White House today. He will appear in a wheelchair tomorrow.Nice to see Cheney is actually human.Then, while taping an appearance for Oprah, Jill Biden apparently let slip that Joe

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-17979968942673801642009-01-19T14:10:00.000-08:002009-01-19T14:48:31.905-08:00

In about 19 hours, Barack Obama will become the 44th President of the United States, and finally, FINALLY, we'll have the oh-so-sweet opportunity to watch George W. Bush board a helicopter back to Texas.Unfortunately, I won't be joining the more than 2 million people expected to attend the Inauguration ceremony live in D.C. I'll be sitting right here in my living room, taking it all in via

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-83360407163211075212009-01-19T13:52:00.000-08:002009-01-19T14:02:25.027-08:00

My second Yelp Review of the Day landed me a coveted mention on LAist. Woohoo!

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-47422740266786829412009-01-16T10:37:00.000-08:002009-01-16T11:00:33.280-08:00

In honor of MLK day, and in the spirit of his own message of change, President-elect Obama is asking all of us to participate in a national day of service on Monday, January 19th.The official sight- www.usaservice.org - will find you all kinds of events right in your neighborhood. While browsing the sight earlier, I found one opportunity that sounded particularly appealing to me- volunteering at

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-21591390796080695562009-01-16T09:42:00.000-08:002009-01-27T12:34:14.262-08:00

The L.A. Times is reporting that the Motion Picture and Television Fund home in Woodland Hills will be closing it's doors by the end of the year.Funded almost entirely by entertainment industry donations, the Motion Picture hospital was a place for aged and ailing entertainers to call home. A dear friend of my family lived there when I was a teen, and I visited once or twice. As far as these

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-20338564175361998962009-01-12T15:42:00.000-08:002009-01-27T12:33:14.256-08:00

As part of an annual event, Los Angeles subway riders took advantage of the warm weather this past weekend by stripping down to their skivvies and acting natural.Read the full story (with plenty of fun pictures) over at the LAist.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-29025126892136882312009-01-12T00:03:00.000-08:002009-01-13T23:17:02.600-08:00

Pulitzer Prize winning food critic Jonathan Gold published his updated list of the 99 Essential LA Restaurants last November.I love food, and I love LA. Here's to making my way through the list, no matter how long it may take. Only 91 to go! * Been there** Participating in DineLA's Restaurant Week- God's gift to those of us who can't afford this stuff in real life. January 25-February 6th.Akasha*

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-52957475212652674262009-01-10T12:45:00.000-08:002009-01-10T13:06:49.154-08:00

Which as we all know usually means we're in for some kind of trouble.Yep- the Santa Anas are back. While you may not be whipped around on the Westside quite yet, you can definitely feel those those winds up here in the foothills. We're officially in the red-flag zone, so keeps your eyes open and your cell phones charged.Meanwhile, why not take advantage of this gorgeous weather and head out for a

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-88347609305245749862009-01-09T01:06:00.001-08:002009-01-09T01:06:48.735-08:00

From MSNBC.com..."House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announced Wednesday that the House will vote next week on expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which will be funded by an increased excise tax on cigarettes and cigars."Absolutely A-OK with me. Not a big fan of second-hand smoke. GoBama.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-57455692730859424692009-01-08T15:49:00.000-08:002009-01-08T15:53:18.754-08:00

LAPD Chief Bratton is the "Homo Hero of the Year."Go Chief, Go!

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-1614241689280705022009-01-07T21:43:00.000-08:002009-01-07T22:02:51.736-08:00

A rollercoaster ride may resemble Democratic National Committee member Ed Espinoza's 2008 but it doesn't paint the whole picture. Rollercoasters don't quite peak like Espinoza's year. He was part of the process which saw his party’s candidate elected to the country’s highest office. His Superdelegate vote (which nominated the Democratic party’s Presidential candidate) earned the 36 year-old

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-81783297609439583332009-01-05T23:59:00.000-08:002009-01-06T00:01:39.569-08:00

Is this the cutest news story ever? Most likely:Child Eloper's Africa Plan Foiled

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-64888158727344277292009-01-02T16:16:00.000-08:002009-01-02T16:33:50.792-08:00

I just channel surfed onto that World Trade Center movie they made with Nicholas Cage. If you haven't seen it- don't worry. It's really terrible. I already hate Nicholas Cage, but this just made me want to slap him. Flight 93 was awesome though. Watch that one with a glass of wine, and then try not to spend the next three hours researching every victim on that plane.Anyway, that's not the point.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-84923518262702650832009-01-02T10:48:00.000-08:002009-01-02T11:39:36.964-08:00

If you've been following the news, you've seen the dramatic videos and tragic news out of Gaza following the Israeli air strikes that started last week.I find it's too easy to remove yourself from these conflicts going on in other parts of the world. I've never been to Gaza, I don't know anyone there, therefore the news doesn't affect me.I'm 24, and I've seen a lot of death, tragedy, and disaster

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-91348188302242905032008-12-19T11:34:00.000-08:002008-12-19T11:43:28.924-08:00

"Forget the myths the media's created about the White House. The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand."-Mark Felt-

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-87557892563451907732008-12-17T12:15:00.000-08:002008-12-17T12:27:05.426-08:00

What's that? The new blogger on LAist is AWESOME you say? His captivating writing style has you ROFL?Me too! And the $15 foot massages aren't half bad either.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-58526931759691299642008-12-17T11:33:00.000-08:002008-12-17T11:57:24.714-08:00

Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced today that all UK troops will withdraw from Iraq by July, 2009.About time...I know Bush has given up the idea of acting like a President (see Rachel Maddow's Lame Duck Watch below), but perhaps an announcement like this would be just the thing he needs to boost those ratings before leaving office.Come on Bushy!.msnbcLinks {font-size:11px; font-family:Arial,

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-34655084261512987492008-12-17T11:20:00.000-08:002008-12-17T11:31:52.802-08:00

Obama may have been awarded the title of Person of the Year by Time Magazine, but he's got nothing on my Review of the Day over at Yelp.Seriously, a well-deserved win. Time said they chose Barack "for having the confidence to sketch an ambitious future in a gloomy hour."Gloomy? Yes, I'd say so.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-13514025385684856002008-12-16T14:37:00.000-08:002008-12-16T14:55:19.221-08:00

We all saw this one, right? The one where the foreign reporter threw his shoes at Bush's head?While I don't condone throwing stuff at the President's head, do we really need to beat the shit out of this poor guy to teach him a lesson? If I were suddenly face to face with Bush, I'm not sure I'd be able to keep my shoes on either. It was a moment of bad judgment. No one got hurt. Bush even (sort

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-80790486917338060122008-12-16T14:10:00.000-08:002008-12-16T14:29:31.536-08:00

No, probably not. But I find John Travolta a little creepy anyway- and Rod Blagojevich's striking resemblance to John, coupled with his foiled plan to sell off the Obama senate seat, is enough to make me think this guy doesn't need to occupy the Governor's chair much longer.Looks like he won't anyway, with impeachment looming and a promise from prosecutors that no stone will be left unturned in

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-56392542404724566892008-12-12T10:31:00.000-08:002008-12-12T10:43:08.485-08:00

My tiny apartment has been designated the official family Christmas gathering spot of 2008.Survival? Questionable.But at least I have an awesome tree.As a kid, my mom generally had final say in picking out the tree. She always chose the most anorexic looking one on the lot because she felt bad for it.Sorry mom, no more Charlie Brown trees for me.

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-80941691804060941362008-12-11T11:22:00.000-08:002008-12-11T11:26:30.564-08:00

Of the establishment and the author:Recession Obsession: El Huarache Azteca in Eagle Rock

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-3000948486316820932008-12-11T09:54:00.000-08:002008-12-11T10:50:13.239-08:00

Glad somebody finally wrote this article. I've been feeling the drastic decrease in business and tips at my restaurant job for months. Maybe this will finally convince my payroll manager to stop auto-claiming 19% for me...http://sec.online.wsj.com/article/SB122886980439793253.htmlPoor Barack Obama. We finally have exactly what we wanted in a President Elect, and here he is stuck in the shitstorm

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977397867736829306.post-77641819452785110552008-12-08T21:37:00.000-08:002008-12-11T11:37:56.564-08:00

With just 17 days until Christmas, The L.A. Times (owned by the Tribune Company) has cut off severance pay to all those employees who were laid off in October.http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aNnMpmsUNMxQ&refer=homeMerry Christmas!

~Erin~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14449051349712421642noreply@blogger.com0