HEY HEY WE'RE THE FLUNKIES

There is zero chance of my being able to process and upload all the great songs I got from the Sunset Tavern's Kinks Tribute night yesterday for posting today, as I must get myself and that rocking young lass, MissSeven, ready to see some dude named Ringo tonight. So instead I am going to suggest this Smithsonian Channel doc on the Monkees for your entertainment. It's a little sensationalist, but it does give a chance to witness Don Kirshner's stunning God complex in action. You are welcome. I've always thought the Monkees got a bad rap, although...

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HOLLYWOOD ROUND UP

Man, I've never been able to squeeze so much out of one short trip. I LIKE IT THAT WAY. After we left the L.A. Philharmonic rehearsal at the Hollywood Bowl, we headed out to grab a quick Mexilunch (why can't I get horchata here? oh, right, I live in the Seattle suburbs). Following Todd's red Acura is similar to tracking an off-duty NASCAR driver. Look! There's Capitol Records! I've been coming to L.A. for almost 30 years. Someone...

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WHAT TO HAVE FOR BREAKFAST THIS WEEKEND

I see absolutely nothing wrong with this...

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U.S. IMMIGRATION: THE WHYS

I spent a decent part of my day today keeping on eye on the organized SB 1070 protests in Phoenix and several other cities, which were, thankfully, non-violent. A police officer was killed yesterday in Chandler, AZ., and I am sure the Phoenix-metro force was not much in the mood to deal with protestors blocking the main jailhouse doors. Judge Susan Bolton blocked several of the most disturbing provisions of SB 1070 from taking effect today, but...

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OH, YOUTHFUL OPTIMISM

MissSeven and Mr12 went hiking today with their day camp to Rattlesnake Ridge and had a very nice time, they reported to me on the drive back home. I approve of their hiking at Rattlesnake Ridge or even Cobra Cliff or Adder Avalanche-Prone-Zone, as it is infinitely preferable to staying home and arguing about Nintendo chargers. Mr12 continued on to tell me that one child in their group had nearly fallen into a 15' crevasse, but avoided sure injury at the last second and lived to probably argue about videogame paraphernalia at his own home this...

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HOLLYWOOD BOWLED

Well, after my extremely-action-packed California day of July 22nd (Winnebago Man on The Tonight Show and “Do It Again” premiere, gawwwww) there came…July 23rd. There would be no sleeping in, no no no, because we had another very cool thing to do in the morning, although substantially more mellow. My friend Todd had told me that the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra holds their rehearsals in the summer at the Hollywood Bowl, that they are free and...

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DO IT AGAIN: THE MOVIE REVIEW, L.A. STYLE

I find myself in somewhat of an odd position. Get your mind out of the gutter -- ethically odd, you beasts. I’m going to now write a review of a movie that I have been associated with since rather early in its cine-life, although certainly in a modest way. I am talking about the midlife-Don Quixote-meets-The Kinks film, “Do It Again,” now making its way internationally through the film fest circuit. Over the last couple of years, its producer/writer/star,...

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LISTEN TO THIS ERUDITE HERETIC

I don't often let others speak for me. Obviously. But I stand absolutely with this guy. He says everything I feel about what it is to be both spiritual and atheist. Thank you, AHughman, and Roger Ebert, for bringing it to my Twittention...

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PAPERS PLEASE

An excellent live-action satire from immigration activist Will Coley. Nothing more effective than a little dose of standing in the shoes of others...

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WINNEBAGO MAN: THE MOVIE REVIEW, ALREADY!

I think I am just going to go ahead and declare July 2010 “Winnebago Man” month here on Popthomology, because as you may note I have been writing pretty copiously about my enthusiasm (and experiences via my enthusiasm, including a song and video, and an audience visit to “The Tonight Show,” for f*ck’s sake) for this film and the YouTube viral video clip that inspired it. I must be dreaming of Winnebagos and flies at night, really. I finally...

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MONTROSE DAY

Well, I think, WELL, it's been QUITE SOME EXCITING TRIP to California this time: The Tonight Show to watch Jack Rebney and Ben Steinbauer, the L.A. premiere of "Do It Again," where my kind friends clapped as my name went by in the movie credits, and then FINALLY to see the "Winnebago Man" movie last night, with the great pleasure of meeting and chatting with producer Joel Heller (the latter two events on my docket to write about in detail at home...

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HANSEN DAM GOOD

Rushing out to dinner and movie, our last full night in L.A. Spent the afternoon at the giant Hansen Dam pool on a beautiful day. A few photos before I flee...

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