CBS reality tv show returns...

CBS reality TV show Big Brother returns for an 11th season this Thursday July 09 at 8pm.
The show is shot in Los Angeles county at the Radford Studios in Studio City, also home to CBS 2 & KCAL 9 channels combined news operations/studio. This was also where they taped SEINFELD and WILL & GRACE.

Here are some clips of the contestants, the house and twists...

NOT selected....

That's our METRO station in the music video...

As you know i am a Latino and as such i like to listen to music in Spanish occasionally.
I tend to prefer pop and rock en espanol.
The other day as i was checking for Michael Jackson music videos on YouTube i decided to look up one of my favorite Mexican pop groups- REIK.

They mostly sing ballads- love songs, some are sad and serious, others fun and catchy.

So i found this video for the song SABES (YOU KNOW)



Well you don't need to know Spanish to see...

0:58- METRO subway station platform, Samaire Armstrong (the OC,Entourage) is seated- in the background its hard to make out the station name. But they did manage to cover a map display with a red and blue "smile" panel.
1:11- inside one of the subway cars and it appears like it was moving, in motion.
1:39- Pershing Square Park, see the lavender/purple in the background. And those hot dogs are definitely not from the fashion district since they are not bacon wrapped.
2:06- looks like they used LA Center studios for these interior and window shots.
2:24- down in the subway again...cute little touch how they incorporate the wall advertisements into the narrative of the video.

* its suppose to be taking place over several days...that is why all the wardrobe changes.

Finally at 3:21- Pershing Square METRO station at street level (w 5th st & s Hill st) at night and raining.
This video was shot in 2007.

- I love Los Angeles...enjoy!

less entertainment.....Jackson and Fawcett

Wow what a bummer of a Thursday on a warm summer day in June.
I haven't blogged since last Friday. I had some things in the works to post about and I still will, but I've been busy with work and my mp3 player died yesterday.

A friend once told me that you die 3 times...

- first when you stop breathing.
-next when you are buried or cremated.
-last when people stop remembering and thinking of you.

So they may be physically gone but their spirit is always among us, so don't forget that.

2 celebrity deaths in one day.

One was expected- Farrah Fawcett (February 2,1947-June 25,2009)

The other- Michael Jackson (August 29,1958-June 25,2009) was a total unexpected surprise.

I heard about Michael's death at about 345pm PST. At first i thought it was a joke, but sadly it was not.

He was only 50 yrs old, seemed like he was older, but you got to take into account that
he has been in the entertainment industry as a singer and performer since he was a young child.
my connection:
*a personal family acquaintance of over 20 yrs was a close friend of the Jackson family in Encino on Hayvenhurst.

So don't be sad that they are gone, but be grateful that we had the opportunity to be witnesses to their great talents and were happily entertained by them.

And also choose to remember the good times not just the bad.

They say that celebrity/famous people deaths come in 3's.
So 2 down and one more to go.

Personally it would make my summer if one of the following would die...

* Dick Cheney

* Karl Rove

* Rush Limbaugh

* And shut up Al Sharpton, sure looks like you almost swallowed that microphone...don't you have a hair appointment your missing?

Summer begins with FREE goodies

I cant wait to see this movie-500 Days of Summer.... It was filmed in and around downtown Los Angeles. Its says its not a love story but a story of love, anyways its a romantic comedy- but not in a bad way, in an honest, real and interesting way.
Here is the trailer...



It opens in select cities on July 17,2009

And here is the link to a list of places in Los Angeles and all over the USA, that to the first five hundred (500) people to show up at each location will receive FREE goodies! when Summer begins this Sunday June 21,2009

Sun came out today just in time...

*- some of the Lakers will be at Disneyland tomorrow (june 18) at 10am.

watching on television while eating this...

FREE concert at L.A. Live- NOKIA plaza

This is my favorite song from Vertical Horizon: Everything You Want

3 this past week...

* Best selling car in the United States in 2008: the little tikes red car- 457,000 sold
(no gas needed, so environmentally green, reminds me of the Flintstones)




* New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez: game spectators (not fans) chant------> "You use Steroids"




* Chastity Bono (daughter of Cher and Sonny) announced that she will have a sex change operation, to become a man.

Why we need Arts education in schools...

Music is art- a form of communication to convey emotions and relay feelings.
See the kids are engaged and having fun expressing themselves via song.

modern science of mental health in east la?

(olympic blvd)

So i was on my usual commute into downtown los angeles from the Latino Beverly Hills aka Montebello and boy did i get a surprise.
And so will you after you read and find out what i found in the backyard of our working class/middle class community.
So my metro bus 66 was chugging along down Olympic Blvd and it makes a stop at Esteban Torres Ave.
I look to my left and notice the empty store front that use to be Smart and Final well next door to that is another industrial park. I notice a sign displaying the name of a company that occupies one of the warehouses- in bright red- and it says Bridge Publications inc.
Well the name did not register in my mind, does not sound familiar, it sure is not Conde Nast.

Well i make a mental note of the name to google later.

(Bridge publishing inc.)

As i am sitting here on my late lunch at home i google and discover that this is a Dianetics & Scientology catalog, Materials Catalog-distribution/warehouse facility.

I wonder if Tom Cruise has made in-person checks (wink,wink) and if our Latino gente are employed by this entity.
They sure got a snazzy website trying to spread their propaganda.
No problem with that, we live in a democracy and free speech rules.

(olympic blvd at esteban torres ave)

I guess they must of gotten a good deal on the rental or purchase of the property. I hope it does not bother them that they are operating in the city (city of commerce) with the largest (blackjack and poker room) casino in Los Angeles county.

- hey Katie Holmes there is great shopping to be had at the shops of the Citadel Outlets.

Downtown LA: Union Station

This 2003 Enrique Iglesias music video for the song- Para Que La Vida was filmed in Los Angeles and featured the 1939 downtown landmark Union Station.
Known as the "Last of the Great Railway Stations" built in the United States.

Sorry but this *Henry Churches music video is all in espanol. Its a love song about and of yearning for that lost love. Spanish is one of the three languages of romance, the others are French and Italian.

See it helps to learn a second language, it opens you up to a wider view and makes you realize that we are more alike than different regardless of language.

Now to the video...

At 0:44 seconds you see the entry way doors, marvelous floors and middle island ticket counter.
At 1:18 you see those high vaulted ceilings and awesome hanging light fixtures.

At 2:05 you get a glimpse of those big high backed seats in the main corridor waiting area.

Again at 2:35 you get a better look at those seats, i love the wide armrests.

The female model for this video reminds me of actress Mariska Hargitay (Law&Order:SUV)

Starting at 2:53 you get a wider and extended view of that glorious art deco interior from floor to ceiling.

At 3:52 you get a peek at the outside platforms for arriving & departing trains.

And finally at 3:59 you see a Metrolink train in the background as she stands in the platform.

So next time you are downtown why not swing by Union Station and take a look for yourself.
Amtrak, Metrolink and the Gold line and Red line of METRO all have stops here.

*Henry Churches aka Enrique Iglesias :)


- I Love Los Angeles

check out your neighborhood.....

how safe are you?


crimereports.com is a website i found while searching for other stuff online.

I punched in my address and i saw a map showing some activity from the last 2 weeks.

1-theft (from auto)
and
2- breaking & entering (burglary residence- one day time the other night time).
The closest one to me was 1/4 of a mile away and it was the night time residential burglary.

Sounds a bit scary but i rather be informed and know so i can be prepared and careful.

So punch in your city or home or work address and see if you are surprised by the results, because i sure was. I mean i live in a very safe suburban area that is urban adjacent.

From what i see, my present neighborhood (montebello 90640) is much safer than my neighborhood where i grew up (city terrace-los angeles 90063)

(click to enlarge)

Most crimes are "of opportunity" which means the majority are not that planned out, but off the cuff and on a whim.

So lock your car, do a perimeter check of your home or apartment building- lock doors and windows.


And just like with vampires...lighting is a detractor to burglars and criminals.

- better safe than sorry!

Anderson Cooper misses Pe...

So i dont usually watch Live with Regis and Kelly...but when i found out yesterday that Anderson Cooper was going to be co-hosting this morning, I made sure i watched.




So while i was having my breakfast (looks like lunch, but sometimes i have cereal for dinner and vice versa) i tuned in and watched.

Well he did not disappoint, the witty banter with Kelly, his smile, drinking and twittering LIVE (that be about 618am pst)

He mentioned that he missed peanuts ( i thought he said penis), the little packs they give during airplane flights.

Anyways it made my day.

(plus hes back on friday co-hosting again and guest Bradley Cooper - 2 Coops)

I tuned out as soon as Denise Richards came on the screen (on team Charlie Sheen here).

-despite this gloomy weather go have a fun and productive work day!

I am really pissed at people in California

People all over California are upset and angry because the state has to make some very drastic cuts that are necessary to balance the budget.

I mean it was this (budget cuts) or raise taxes and the CA voters said NO to the latter.

I voted in favor of all these in the May 19,2009 election:

Proposition 1A “Rainy Day” Budget Stabilization Fund

Proposition 1B Education Funding. Payment Plan

Proposition 1C Lottery Modernization Act

Proposition 1D Children’s Services Funding

Proposition 1E Mental Health Funding

they all failed except for the following:

Proposition 1F Elected Officials Salaries

Obviously i was in the minority once again.

it sucks for students, elderly, disabled and state employees

it sucks for everyone in the state of California.

Back in the day a civil service job provided job stability and security..well not anymore!

I mean really, seriously, honestly how else did people think they were going to balance the budget ?

Either increase income or cut spending...plain and simple.

Sure its not fair..but no one ever said life is suppose to be fair..i learned that in first grade.

So grow a thick skin and save your nuts like a squirrel for a rainy day.

In the end times may be difficult but nothing is impossible.

Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory, Sears and Costco

(taken today-see the red porsche)

So on this gloomy sunday morning in June my brother calls me to ask me what im doing.

I tell him my usual sunday stuff- lounging reading the LA Times and NY Times (online now) and having a late brunch at home and kicking back in the outdoor patio ( tv,waterfall,bbq,swing and table with chairs and other seating).

So he says lets go for a ride. I want to see if we can find the Fantasy Factory...i say what?

He says yeah.. Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory from the MTV show.

I was not aware that this skating pro had a tv show. So I did some research via googling and find that he has been skateboarding since the age of 16 (he is now 34)- he's from Ohio.
I am mostly familiar with Tony Hawk.

Anyways i locate a place that i think is it..and its only 6.7 miles away.

So we head out and we find the place.

I will not share the address or streets- to protect the privacy. I only share so much..lol

On the way back to Montebello i took these other pictures...

(at Soto St. and Olympic Blvd)

(that tower is so cool looking too bad the de la hoya development deal fell through twice!)

And the City of Commerce (home of the Citadel Outlets and Commerce Casino-see celebrities play poker) is getting its own COSTCO at Washington Blvd and Telegraph Road. Plus this one has a gas station. Should be opening soon...construction is just about done.

We have a Costco in Montebello but it does not have a gas station, like the Alhambra location.

Lunch at home...

(lunch at home Thursday)

So i like to eat and i like to save money so i decided to have lunch at home and cook it myself.

I'm no chef but i like to try different stuff and mix it up. Lately I've been watching Spain... on the Road Again a PBS limited series, only 13 episodes.
Initially the reason i watched the show was because it had Gwyneth Paltrow and Mario Batali. So the celebrity factor reeled me in.
And every time everything looks so damn good and appetizing.

Anyways i made myself a Parisian salad (meatless) using mixed greens . You add walnuts, cranberries and cheese. I used what i had and you toss it in a light balsamic vinaigrette.
It was flavorful, visually appealing and satisfying as an entree.

I also made a side of one sliced tomato and some regular mushrooms sauteed in olive oil with a bit of salt.
No need to buy the expensive stuff, your stomach wont really tell the difference.
I washed it all down with a couple glasses of Newman's Own (as in Paul Newman) 100% Concord grapes juice available at Costco (i fake it since i no longer drink alcohol).

- I need to make plans to visit Cadiz, Espana (southern part of the country) ancestral land of my father before i die. And also go to Madrid, Barcelona and Ibiza.

Jay Leno last tonight show...

So tonight is the last day of Jay Leno at the Tonight show.

He will be having James Taylor (he looked so hot in the 1970's-google him) as his last musical guest.

Jay is no Johnnie Carson but he is entertaining and funny though not much of an edge. Though i did enjoy Wanda Sykes appearance earlier this week. (grade-75%)

I will probably watch tonight at 11:35pm on NBC but before that i will go online to the chat rooms and message boards to see what the reactions and comments are from the east coast viewers.

I am only commenting on late night shows broadcast over free TV, so no cable shows. But i do like John Stewart and Stephen Colbert a lot.



I am a big fan of Conan O'Brien and look forward to him taking over the Tonight show starting this Monday- June 1st.
He is much wackier and self-deprecating, does not really take himself seriously. I am glad that Andy Richter is back and that Conan is shooting here in LA at the Universal Studios backlot.(grade-85%)

I have been watching a lot of Jimmy Kimmel lately though- i like his skits and bits (he and his staff know that they will play well on you tube and help promote the show).
His opening monologue is topical and funny with his observations. Plus great line up of musical guests. I love when Jimmy does drag- as he has as Octomom and a obsessed Jonas Brothers fan. Plus i like that he incorporates his real life family members into the show. Oh and i have crush on Cleto too. (grade-90%)

Craig Ferguson over on CBS I use to enjoy when he first started but in the last year he seems not to hold my interest starting with his opening monologue. (grade- 60%)

David Letterman is a class act, dry but funny, serious and on the ball. (grade-80%)

Jimmy Fallon looks promising, I have sampled a few episodes and he is making a great effort.
Mixing it up with different elements to keep the show interesting and fresh. (grade-70%)

- So watch what you will and I hope you get a laugh and go to sleep with a smile on your face.

Shame on YOU....

California state supreme court!

How can you willingly intentionally vote to take away the right for same-sex couples to marry.

This is and will always be a CIVIL matter. But some ignorant people are making this a RELIGIOUS matter.

There is such a thing as separation of Church and State.
You cannot deny EQUAL rights to a minority just because a majority says so.

The judicial system is there to protect the minorities.

This is about EQUALITY and not separate and special treatment.


As a gay latino male I personally don't want to get married RIGHT NOW.

But I sure don't want my right to CHOOSE taken away!

Its is funny how the religious right and most straight people get or feel threatened by us -LesbianGayBisexualTransgendered.

You know what we are everywhere, we might not be obviously visible (cause even Gaydar doesnt always work) but we are your co-worker, your neighbor, you brother, your boss, your friend.

I know gay cops, lesbian professors, gay doctors and lesbian politicians.

If the fetus you save is born gay, will you still fight for his rights?

Show(s) Business : dead and alive

This is the time of year that the television networks announce their new fall schedules. What shows are coming back (renewed) and which ones are not (canceled). Plus also the brand new shows debuting in the fall.

So some actors will be joining the unemployed while others have been hired and starting work.

NBC canceled the prime time version of Deal or No Deal and Howie Do It. But the syndicated daytime version of Deal or No Deal is still in production. That's what you get Howie Mandel for filming most of Howie Do It up in Canada.


NBC also canceled MEDIUM but since CBS produces (cbs television studios) the show, they picked it up and will air Fridays at 9pm this fall.
My Name is Earl was also axed, they end their run having produced 96 episodes.


ABC canceled Samantha Who?, unfortunately a show that was filmed here in Los Angeles. Thankfully and finally, According to Jim was put out of its mediocre misery.

It seems like alot of these shows were getting too expensive to produce and though they might have been good performers they were not great or even excellent super hits a la CSI, Grey's Anatomy or Two and a Half Men.

(The Game)

The CW had a blood bath by canceling 4 shows- Everybody Hates Chris, The Game, Reaper and Privileged.

(Vampire Diaries)

They announced 3 new fall dramas. The Vampire Diaries (kind of a Twilight rip-off).

(Melrose Place)

The new version of Melrose Place (with the original Sydney played by Laura Leighton on board). Along with featuring the fugly Simpson...Ashley.

(The Beautiful Life)

The Beautiful Life ( kind of a take on Models Inc from the 90's) and has Misha Barton from the OC fame.

After all, this is show business, television or film it is a business and it needs to make money.

Shake It...

So we had an earthquake last night in Los Angeles .... 4.7 or 5.0

A while later Shake It popped into my head. I mean the catchy song from Metro Station (Miley Cyrus ugly brother is a member, id rather do her dad..lol...for real)






...shake shake shake shake a shake it

TIMEs have changed...

I got my TIME magazine issue Saturday afternoon and this cover really got my attention.

And i have to agree. The future of work has changed.

I had a sort of mid life crisis in my 20's almost 6 years ago.

I was not passionate about my then current "job"- it wasn't even a career path i wanted.

I was just there for the paycheck and benefits.

But i had an eye opening moment one day when i looked around in the office.
Most of my colleagues were married with kids and had those responsibilities and obligations.

I on the other hand, was not married and had no kids.
So i thought what am i doing here if I'm not comfortable and happy?
It was then along with a nudge by the universe/god that i decided to take the leap and follow my passion, bliss with a purpose.
Sure my employment is not secure or stable but no ones is really,we are all expendable and replaceable.

But my possibilities are endless I can work as much or as little. I have now learned to accept the trade offs of no paid vacation, no health benefits, etc. I'm in charge and its up to me to take control of my destiny.
Its as if i had my recession 6 years ago.

I learned to downsize and focus on my needs and not my wants. To cut the fat off my spending.

Itemize my expenses and balance my budget.

I am much happier now. I don't feel or have that stress of having to worry about money.

It helps that i don't have:

a car (public transportation and family/friends)
a cell phone contract (use prepaid)
no cable television ( watch stuff online or on broadcast TV with digital tuner-62 channels!)
don't own a home (rent,because in the end,when we die we don't take anything with us really)

As I'm getting older I'm getting wiser, i think. I'm less impulsive and wild. I think before i do most things because every action has a reaction. I think im more mellow, relaxed and less drama in my life definitely.

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.

Ambassador Hotel site...

(now-present)

(then-past)

the former hotel site is now under construction and coming along. The future location of a Los Angeles Unified School District school complex.

This is all that is left to honor the memory of Robert F. Kennedy. A sign on a traffic median across from the site along Wilshire Blvd in Koreatown.

I LOVE IT!

I was a bit hesitant and not quite on board with a new cop show when i first heard of NBC's one hour Thursday 10pm drama- SOUTHLAND

But several things made me reconsider and change my mind.

Its from the producers of ER.

It is filmed on location here in Los Angeles.

It is shot very similar in style a la FOX's COPS reality show. The hand held cameras, fast paced action from the police officers point of view.

Except of course this is a scripted show- so the tension and conflict are heightened for dramatic effect. Though they do try to be as authentic and genuine as possible.

My initial intention was to just sample the first, pilot episode.

I didn't think it was going to be all that. I do have to admit i am a bit of a cynic and hard ass.

I was surprisingly satisfied, it held my attention. I wanted to know what was going to happen.


I was interested to know more about Lydia Adams (Regina King) the female police detective and Ben Sherman (Ben McKenzie) the police officer.




So on last night's episode titled "westside" i saw a familiar medical bldg. (the two above pictures-from different angles) which is on 3rd street near Alvarado street being used as the
"courthouse" you can see it about 24 minutes into the hour show..you see a drive by shooting occurring outside the entry way of the bldg.

I also saw about 40 minutes in, East LA and Whittier blvd. In this case it was a chase of a white van that had stolen a safe. They go down the blvd near the 60 fwy over pass and also do some residential chasing in and around Fresno St.

I thought that was pretty cool to see, they must of shot this episode 4 to 6 weeks ago, that's my guess-timate on from "shot to air".

I was a big fan of ABC's NYPD Blue back in the 90's growing up, and that was set in NYC but completely shot in LA.


I like Southland as a native Angeleno, its cool to see my city, the good and the bad.

I was a fan of Ben McKenzie from the OC and was familiar with Regina King from her movie roles to even back to NBC's 227 of the 80's.

So next week's season finale titled "derailed" looks pretty good.

Its got Lupe Ontiveros (Latino pride and San Gabriel Valley resident) and Cop car flipping out on the river bed below one of the local bridges.

So if you missed last nights episode you can catch it at nbc.com or Saturday night on nbc at 9pm

This mid season replacement as they are known in the biz has been picked up for a second season starting in the fall (13 episodes) compared to this short first season of only 7 episodes.

Its interesting to note that as costs of production on tv and especially one-hour dramas has risen(anywhere from $3 to $4 million per episode), the quantity of episodes has decreased. So i guess they figure and have realized that its about the "quality" and not the "quantity".

Villaraigosa a FAILURE

according to the cover of Los Angeles magazine's June 2009 issue.

And i totally agree.

He likes to talk and appear and "show" like everything is okay.

He has a problem along with his staff, of following through with his "talk".

I am a former resident of the city of Los Angeles, now residing in neighboring Montebello.

He is like most politicians- half truths and half promises.

So Antonio if your intention is of running for Governor of California.....don't count on me.


I will NOT vote for you.

Este Latino, mexico-americano no va votar por ti para governador.


I maybe a registered Democrat, but im a social liberal and a fiscal conservative.


For once..finish something you have started.

I am not surprised since his marriage was a FAILURE.

I'm NOT sorry but my opinion is such that your personal life reflects and affects your professional life too.

Missed my bus by texting....

It was a mild spring day in Los Angeles. It started out kind of grey and hazy. But the sun did come out and hit the low 70's.
Despite this, the 2 buses i took today had the air conditioning on.
Was it to provide some circulating air to blow away the H1-N1 aka swine flu virus?
I only heard one person cough, only once, and that was on the bus coming home.

So twitter is all the rage, "what are you doing?". For me its not in the picture. I got more than enough in my plate with old and new media.
I did hear a couple tweets on the bus. It was the guy seated behind me. He got a voice call via walkie talkie. Sure sounded like a tweet..."wah wah wah oh oh wah wah wah!"

I missed my bus on the way home. I was walking down the side walk checking my messages on my mobile phone and then i began to text my replies while walking.
I was about 1/4 of a block from my departure bus stop.
Well wouldn't you know it, as i raised my head to see if the bus was coming, I see it pass me by.
I was like, " what the..., oh no!" So i had to wait for like 18 minutes for the next one to come by.
So I'm glad the Lakers lost ( not a fan of them or basketball) and Mr. Ramirez won't be back until July 3rd.

- You live...You learn.