Echo Park

Yesterday I bought a new camera to replace the one I lost in Ireland. I then went to Echo Park to try it out. Echo Park is both a park and a community within Los Angeles. It was a beautiful day and I enjoyed taking time out to walk around the park and take pictures. From one side of the park you can see downtown and from the other you can see the mountains in the background. Los Angeles is a beautiful city to live in.



To see more of the photos, click here.

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My sister on the radio today!

Back in my hometown of Pilot Point, Texas, where my sister currently lives, they are having a festival in the town square this weekend. A Dallas radio station named "The Range" is broadcasting live from the event at a popular place called Lowbrows. My sister, Miriam, co-hosted as a local representative with the DJ from 95.3 The Range. I was able to record the show from their internet broadcast and I must say, I'm quite proud of sis. She really has the talent to be a DJ is she so chooses. But she's also a musician, so I'm not sure that would work out. I guess she could have her own show that she DJ's and then spins her own music. You can listen to the parts of the broadcast that included Miriam through the MP3 link below. Also, feel free to check out her website and send her props!

KHYI 95.3 The Range

MP3 of Miriam on the radio with The Range

www.miriamgreye.com

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Hot Fuzz

I got to see a Director's Q&A screening of "Hot Fuzz" last night at the ArcLight Theatre here in Hollywood. Hot Fuzz is made by the same people who made Shaun of the Dead. It's about a super cop in London who gets transfered to a small village and he has to adjust to the quiet village, until..., well go see it!. It's freakin hilarious. It combines comedy and high action, and even though the action is a spoof on the over-the-top "Michael Bay type" movies, it survives on it's own as action that draws you in and makes you cheer when the bad guys are taken down. You just want to scream "Yeah!!" and laugh hysterically at the same time. Go see it.

We got a treat after the film. It was just supposed to be the director there, but the two starring cast members came out as well. But before that Eli Roth came up and introduced Jack Black. Then Jack Black came up said he loved the film and then he introduced Quentin Tarantino. Then Quentin Tarantino introduced the filmmakers. They were all just having a lot of fun and it was entertaining to be a part of it. My seat was right next to the exit where a Quentin and Rosario Dawson and Zoe Bell all from his movie "Death Proof" were hanging out together. They were handing out DVD's (actually they were handing out Bad Boys II DVD's, which was featured in the film) to everyone that asked a lot of questions. Unfortunately, the questions asked were kind of silly and had nothing to do with the movie. When they were down to their last 3 giveaway DVD's, Quentin said he would give out the DVD's to only people with good questions. Quentin forced the filmmakers to stay there longer than they were supposed to because no one was asking "Quentin Approved" questions. One guy in the back stood up and started his question, "As a working actor, what advice would you give..." that's all he got out. His question was booed and he had to sit back down. So much fun. On my way out I walked past Quentin who had his arms around Zoe Bell and I told him while passing that I loved Death Proof. Then I ended up walking down the street with the castmembers. I didn't say anything, but it was fun for a moment to feel like I was one of the cool kids. :)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425112/

Grindhouse

I saw "Grindhouse" yesterday at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. It's a double-feature film done by Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. The first film done by Robert Rodiquez was called "Planet Terror" and was basically a fun zombie movie. The second film by Quentin Tarantino called "Death Proof" and was about a killer who used his stunt muscle car to take his victims. They even included fake movie trailers that were mini movies themselves.

It was mostly filmed in Austin, Texas and was a bit gory at times which I really didn't enjoy, but overall it was a great thrill ride. I loved it. They wanted to make the films in the genre of some films made in the 70's that were played at the secondary, lower-rate drive-in theaters. The film isn't for everyone, but for those that love zombies, muscle cars, or scar-faced Kurt Russell, you'll love it!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0462322/

Home!

I have arrived home safe and sound. I got home on Sunday night and spent all day yesterday just relaxing and trying to get over jet lag. I was on right sleep schedule, but was just exhausted all day and the li'l brain wasn't functioning very well. My place is a wreck. Right before leaving, I discovered that my passport was missing from it's usual spot. I had to tear my whole apartment apart before finally finding it. And it just so happens that the hot water in my building was not working yesterday, so I couldn't even do laundry or dishes. I did, however, bathe by pouring pots of boiling water into the tub.

I've got some gaps to fill in on my daily adventures which I will do soon and I've also got more photos to upload. Although, overall, I'm not really happy with photos from this trip. I don't really feel like I got anything noteworthy other than just typical touristy shots and snapshots of friends. Maybe next time.

Wednesday

I'm running out of creative titles for my posts. Actually, I don't think they were ever really that creative. I should've started them out with just Dublin, Day 1, etc. Yesterday I spent a lot of the day not doing much and taking a bit of a breather from going pretty much non-stop since last Friday. I did a little work from a local pub that had WiFi and just relaxed knowing that I had no agenda. Then later that evening I met up with a couple of people that Miriam and I met the first night here. Beth and Joe were at the "Oldest Pub in Ireland", The Brazen Head, with co-workers, for a going away party with one of the employees. It was so warm and nice today that we got to sit outside without jackets for a little bit. After the Brazen Head, I got to go to the "Smallest Pub in Ireland," which was just a room with a bar. It was kinda funny. And surprisingly cozy.

Irish Gospel Jam

Last night Miriam and I got the opportunity to go to an intimate gathering of musicians doing a Gospel themed jam session. It was put on by our friend Gavin Glass that we met on Sunday night at Whelan's. It was held in the upstairs members only section of a cool bar on Camden street named Anseo. There was about 15-20 people there I suppose and most seem connected to the music scene here in Dublin. Drinking a pint of Guinness while singing "I'll fly away Lord Jesus" is something I will always treasure. Gavin and a popular singer over here named Mundy also got to jam a few songs and do some covers of Bob Dylan. And everyone in the room sang backup at one point or another. Miriam even had the opportunity to get up twice and sing. Once she did backup with Gavin on a song called Wagon Wheel, and then another time she got to sing one of her own songs, "Red Moon," a cappella style. Have you checked our her music on mySpace yet? Check it out here: http://www.myspace.com/miriamgreye


Miriam and Gavin Glass


Gavin Glass and Mundy

After the jam was over we all headed down to a popular club next to Whelan's called The Village. The had a good DJ there and it was a fun time had by all hanging out and dancing. We got back pretty late and Miriam had an early flight so she could only nap on the couch in the lobby for an hour before her taxi came. I made sure she got in her taxi ok and she should be flying somewhere over the Atlantic by now. I am here for a few more days and fly out on Saturday.


Dancing at The Village


Miriam and Danielle, the Canadian-Irish country singer


Musician Cousins Stacey and Zoe


Cormic and Danielle

Ireland Countryside

Monday we went touring around the neighboring countryside around Dublin named Wicklow county. It was simply amazing. In a hurry to get to the van that gave us the tour, I lost my new camera while running. So, my one opportunity to take wonderful pictures of the countryside was lost. But I still had my phone with me, so I took pictures with my camera phone, until the battery died, which it was already near dead. Some pictures turned out ok and I didn't let the unfortunate loss spoil my day. We were in a van of 8 people with an older Irishman guiding the tour. He drove us through the countryside, stopped for lunch at a nice little village restaurant and then we toured an old monastery in Glendalough. It was founded in the 10th century and I was left in awe standing on the grounds of something with such historical and spiritual significance.






Miriam learning from the tour guides


St. Kevin's Monastery founded in 10th century


After the countryside tour we went to a pub near our hostel which had free WiFi and I caught up a bit on bills, news and stuff. Most of the people at the pub at this time came straight from work. There was one group that had a particularly obnoxious, loud, and boisterous person whose laugh you could hear all the way out in the street. I remember thinking to myself, what a jerk. By the end of the evening we were best mates. His name is Gavan. He's a great guy that just happens to be a bit louder than most. We reminded me of some of the tough guys in the Guy Ritchie films. We ended up sitting at their table of 5 and they kept buying us pints until it was time to go. I love Ireland. :)

Sunday's Adventures

On Sunday we started off the day with a traditional Irish Sunday lunch at a popular pub. The Irish all come out and eat and hang out at the pubs on Sunday afternoons. After that and a long walk, we did a tour of the famous Guinness Warehouse. It was huge. After the tour you get a 'free' pint on top of the museum in a bar that gives you a 360 degree view of the entire city from way up high.


Bar on top of the Guinness museum

And then last night we went to a place called Whelan's based on a recommendation from a few people here. They were playing Johnny Cash and covering other country American artists. After the music was over we chatted with the singer, named Gavin Glass, and he invited us to hang out with him and his friends at another place. We met tons of fun people and had a great time.


Live music at Whelan's

I'll write more later. Our van is almost here to take a tour of the countryside for the day.

Saturday Fun in Dublin

Miriam and I have had a fantastic time the past couple of days. On Saturday we walked around Dublin and visited the Dublin Castle. The architecture was interesting and an odd mix of different styles.


Dublin Castle

We've also been trying as much as possible experiencing the Irish culture. And that of course means spending lots of times in pubs. We have met some great people here. The Irish that we have met have been very open and friendly. On Saturday night we went back to Sine. There was a girl celebrating her birthday there, Miriam bought her a drink, and we were in the crowd the rest of the night.


Christina, Eva, Myself, and Claire