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gymnopedie

Into the City - Survival

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 02:41 pm
posted by: [info]gymnopedie

Bustle, shoving of limbs, a rough scrap of cloth sliding across her face as she was jostled into someone else. So many people were crowding forward, taking up every last inch that they could and then shoving their children into the slight gaps the larger bodies made. Crushed tight between a fat woman and a sobbing child with drool and snot pouring out of every hole of it's face, and some man that was grumbling, muttering, insane jibberish at anyone that so much as glanced his way. Taking a deep breath, she squeezed her eyes shut for a moment to clear her head. Hands all over the place, she could feel them wiggling against her, pushing her forward harder until she kicked the heel of some rich dotty thing and her snapping pup. Oh gods, please let me get out of here alive, she whispered to who ever was wanting to listen at the moment. I'll do anything, please, just let me get loose! The crowd shoved her forward again, and she did all she could to keep from dropping to hands and knees.

To tumble to the ground now would be her death.

Jerking her head left and right, she popped open her eyes to find somewhere to squeeze into. There! Gasping in foul stench of bodies, she slammed against the fat woman, sending her reeling back into a younger man with a weird accent. They both stepped on someone's foot and for a moment, she was pleased by the spiraling chaos she managed to create. But, she'd won a new spot, no more crazy man and the baby with drool foaming at the mouth. Others were doing the same, a constant sea of change as they pushed and pulled at one another. Reduced to a squabbling mad, raving monster of need. An elbow gutted her and she let out a loud ooph!, nearly whirling in reflex to slap her hand across a face, but she was trapped again, wedged into another body. Had she managed to get forward even a little bit?

More crowd was piled in, frantic sound of feet shuffling, people howling. No silence anywhere. Fear stank to the high heavens, and she had a weird feeling that the gods were infact listening, but teaching their stupid flock a lesson.

A clang rang, vibrated clear and loud over the din of the crowd, and for two blessed seconds, there was nothing but silence. No one moved, all turned their eyes forward and up. But a swell rushed forward as they realized what that noise had meant. Louder this time, the howling turned into whispers of prayer as more and more people realized that there was probably no way they'd get ahead of anyone else.

It was then that she got herself a grand idea.

Laughing a little, she grabbed someone's hair, her foot lifting to kick into a gut. Up up. She hooked her arm about a neck and hoisted small self. Up up! Her other foot wedged into a belt and she was finally at adult head level and could see naught but more and more people than ever imaginable. Hands pushed and she wiggled faster, not wanting to let anyone else figure out what she was up to. Sneaky little thing, she patted herself on her back if she wasn't still climbing up onto shoulders.

Without care, she launched herself forward, abusing the people with her feet as she ran and ran. Moving sea of life, hands trying to grab her and yank her back down, people snapping that it wasn't fair, what did she think she was doing, and hey! You get back here or they'd kill her. Scrappy, thin and starved, the girl stuck her finger out at all of them and kicked her foot into someone's nose, sending them reeling backwards to crash and disturb the jam packed bodies. Too bad for them, they couldn't think of a way to get themselves closer, she was going to be smarter than the whole.

Hands jerked her satchel out of someone's grubby fingers, not stopping this time to give them a bloody nose. It was becoming a race to the death. Another clanging sent the people wild, and screams began to explode far behind her. Strange little popping sounds as voices cracked. Dared not to look.

Hugging her bag of this and that, she danced from shoulder to head to shoulder, ever closer to the black iron gates that rose heavily before all of them. Massive walls that tried to reach the sky, bristling high up in the stark daylight. So many guards... She jerked her eyes away from where she was not really going and glanced forward, picking out her path with nimble thought. Catcalls arose as she drew nearer the gates, chest heaving, heart pounding in fear. Eyes wide, she scrambled more, feeling more hands try to stop her as she cut off their chance.

Whispering one last thought of a wish, she hurled herself forward and dropped heavily to the earth.

Another clang.

Gears began to click, tock, tick... slow rusty gates began to lower. Red dust filled the air.

People screamed.

Faster, faster. She kicked off the ground and again threw herself forward, sliding along rough stone, feeling flesh scrape and bleed. Glad for the pain, her hands slapping down on the streets, forcing herself back to her feeet as she ran. Guards howled out at her but she ignored them as much as she ignored every last person behind her.

More and more screams began to fill the air as behind her the earth shuddered, heaved. The gate had come crashing down. Flesh had burst under the iron rods, blood dripping off of faces staring into the city they were denied. She slowed as she turned, glancing behind her, then coming to a complete and utter stop. Chest heaving for dry air, eyes watering, everything inside of her burning up from her mad dash. Pale faces, dark faces, scared faces... Hands slapped at the gates, people begged, whined, screamed in anger.

It was so loud, her hands pressed to her ears as they wailed in fear. Confusion swallowing the crowd, others that had made it through stopped as well, staring at the large gate, watching people try to squeeze through the iron rods. Stepping over dead, pierced bodies, fingers rubbed to stubs as they tried to pry them open, only to be climbed upon. More and more pressed to the gates, bodies were crushed. More blood spilled, bones splintered. Those that made it stared, watching in stunned silence as the world beyond the gate.

Another shudder. The heavier, solid grinding of gears chugging the secondary doors slowly shut. Oak, iron, stone, full of carvings of glyphs, protective whispered secrets that would keep everyone within safe.

And when the silence finally came, no one moved. Minutes later, sound rushed over the skyward walls, surging like swollen waves. Howls of the dying, blaming their kind for leaving them.

She glanced about. Ragged, but strong. Healthy... No one that stood there with her with fear on their faces, shock at the day finally upon them unfurling swiftly without thought.

Survival.

They'd done as Nature commanded, and survived. No matter what it took.

Closing her eyes a moment, trying to find that calm center, but failing. She'd done what she had too.

Glancing about at all the others. Seeing the same question on their lips, she could not help but whisper faintly, hugging her satchel against her chest.

"Now what?"

And knew the answer, just as they did the moment she asked. We live.
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Tonight In Rock: Glassjaw, Butch Walker, HEALTH, Blockhead

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 12:00 pm
posted by: [info]laist

healthyofcourse.jpg
HEALTH will be performing tonight at the Smell | Picture via HEALTH's Myspace

Our Pick: HEALTH, Abe Vigoda, Tearist, Man's Assassination, Man @ The Smell

Tonight Long Island-bred post-hardcore act Glassjaw will be headlining the Mayan Theater in Downtown with none other than Seal Beach-based quartet RX Bandits (LAist Review). Georgia-bred singer-songwriter/producer Butch Walker is poised to grace the Hotel Café. And, lastly, NY-based producer Blockhead, whose work is most closely associated with hip hop heavyweights Aesop Rock, Murs and Slug, will be taking on the Echo. But we strongly suggest heading over to the Smell in Downtown to catch local noise-infused rock outfit HEALTH.

HEALTH - "Die Slow"

Switchfoot @ The Roxy
Glassjaw, RX Bandits @ The Mayan
Butch Walker, WAZ, Emily King, Royal Wood @ The Hotel Café
HEALTH, Abe Vigoda, Tearist, Man's Assassination, Man @ The Smell
Blockhead, DJ Signify, Amplive of Zion, Yppah, Deru @ The Echo
Club NME w/ The Dutchess and the Duke, Greg Ashley @ Spaceland
Manhattan Murder Mystery, George Glass, Downtown/Union @ 3 Clubs
Via Tania, El May, Sonos @ Bootleg Theater
John Carpenter, The Goldenhearts, The Passports @ Silver Lake Lounge
Fu Manchu, It's Casual, -16- @ Troubadour
Electric Six @ Keyclub
Royal Crown Revue @ The Mint



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Where to Read a Book, Relax, Sit Peacefully with a Great View

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 11:35 am
posted by: [info]laist

       

Driving along Mulholland, you pass various overlooks where you can pull over on to the dirt, get out and take in the views. In all, the 55-mile Mulholland Scenic Parkway and Corridor has 18 official overlooks between the 101 Freeway and Kanan Road in the Agoura Hills area, but lucky for us, most can be found east of the 405 (see a map here).

Of those within Los Angeles, some views are not so obvious when driving by. Such is the case with the Barbara A. Fine Overlook at the Summit, about a quarter mile east of Coldwater Canyon. Trees and brush block the view from the street, but once inside, you'll find yourself in a peaceful oasis offering a views of the Valley, shade, three park benches and a drinking fountain. To us, this is a perfect little hideaway for some alone time, book reading, a picnic on the bench or just some peace and quiet.

Fine was instrumental in the remaining beauty along Mulholland. For 30 years, she fought development in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains and eventually helped create Los Angeles' hillside ordinance, which limits the number of homes that can be built on mountain hillsides. She also was part of the fore that brought the city the Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan, a document that guides development along the 22 miles of the famous artery.

In 2003, the overlook was named after her for these reasons. Specifically, the overlook stands above the upper fork of Fryman Canyon, where Fine fought to stop houses from being built. Today, it remains for the urban wild.



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binsybaby

(no subject)

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 02:57 pm
posted by: [info]binsybaby




TO THE HOT MEN WHO DEFINITELY READ MY LJ FOR SURE: I am not a hideous nostril beast in person, I swear!

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wtf_inc

Wizbang Chicken Plucker

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 02:25 pm
posted by: [info]bludstone in [info]wtf_inc

( You are about to view content that may only be appropriate for adults. )

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Múm, Sin Fang Bous @ El Rey Theatre 11/06/09

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 11:00 am
posted by: [info]laist

              


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City's New Park at LAPD Headquarters Ruined

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 10:37 am
posted by: [info]laist

4095258773_87431f6954.jpg Just in time for downtown's most popular event tomorrow evening, the new 2nd Street Park at the Police Administration Building has finally reopened after a two-week closure for a private police foundation fundraiser. Unfortunately, it now looks terrible. "Its grass may look as if a season of football has been played on it," described Eric Richardson at blogdowntown. So who gets to pay for the reseeding and landscaping?



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Long Beach Tweaks Proposed Medical Marijuana Ordinance

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 10:12 am
posted by: [info]laist

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Photo by Caveman 92223 via Flickr
As Los Angeles prepares to dive into their own pot law, Long Beach is already taking it head on. Last night they voted to make some changes to a proposed medical marijuana ordinance, loosening some restrictions, before finalizing the law.

"The changes included, among others, allowing collectives in mixed-use areas; removing prohibitions against having collectives within 1,000 feet of libraries and parks; improving patient privacy issues so as to not identify every member of a collective; giving a grace period for existing collectives to comply once the law goes into effect; and allowing collective patients to grow marijuana in their homes," reports the Press Telegram.

Many prohibitions stayed in place, however, including prohibiting collectives in "esidential areas or within 1,000 feet of schools, licensed child-care facilities, playgrounds, youth centers or other collectives; limits hours of operation to between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.; and restrict marijuana distribution to collective members only."

Despite all that, marijuana advocates felt the location restrictions would be difficult to abide by. Long Beach is estimated to have between 50 and 60 dispensaries--Los Angeles has over 800, maybe even around 1,000.



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thosegypsies

(no subject)

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 12:52 pm
posted by: [info]antikz in [info]thosegypsies

"Recording the details of our lives is a stance against bombs with their mass ability to kill, against too much speed and efficiency. A writer must say yes to life, to all of life: the water glasses, the Kemp's half-and half, the ketchup on the counter. It is not a writer's task to say, 'It is dumb to live in a small town or to eat in a cafe when you can eat macrobiotic at home.' Our task is to say a holy yes to the real things of our life as they exist-the real truth of who we are: several pounds overweight, the gray, cold street outside, the Christmas tinsel in the showcase, the Jewish writer in the orange booth cross from her blond friend who has black children. We must become writers who accept things as they are, come to love the details, and step forward with a yes on our lips so there can be no more noes in the world, noes that invalidate life and stop these details from coming."
-Natalie Goldberg

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2amtomorning

(no subject)

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 11:43 am
posted by: [info]needcash4weed in [info]2amtomorning

I dreamt about you a few nights ago, and I've loved you ever since. I feel love for you. I felt love for you in my dream, and I feel it out. I don't know where you are, I don't even know who you are, but I want you to come into my life. I've dreamt about people before, and had met them after wards and I must say that it truly messes with my head. I'd really like to meet you. I think I could make you happy, and I think you could make me happy too. I want to see you and just my looking at you, I want you to just know. I've dreamt about moments with you before you even existed in my life. I'll be patient, I'll wait for you. I'm looking for you. Come find me.

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On the Street....The Front Steps, NYC

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 01:26 pm
posted by: [info]sartorialist

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etsypromo

Halloween Clearance Sale just for LJ users!

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 12:19 pm
posted by: [info]missteacherlady in [info]etsypromo

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inspireplease

(no subject)

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 12:59 pm
posted by: [info]remixtherobot in [info]inspireplease


just some fashion-y stuff i've liked lately~
xo )

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cooking

Technique Question

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 11:44 am
mood: bored bored
posted by: [info]anguissette_02 in [info]cooking

My husband and I have been experimenting with some fudge recipes. We've got a basic fudge and an orange creamsicle-like fudge down. I'd really like to experiment further with flavors (such as chocolate-mint). I'm fairly positive I can simply alter the flavoring added into the orange recipe to get the different flavors I want.

My problem is that I really like the swirled fudge you can find in the stores. How does one accomplish this task? Doesn't the fudge set up too quickly to make the colored/flavored part seperately from the chocolate part?

We only have one sauce pan at the moment and I'm not sure I'd want to juggle not scorching two pans of fudge anyway.

Thanks!

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cooking

Squash

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 12:53 pm
posted by: [info]revelationtrib in [info]cooking

There's a sale on butternut, acorn, buttercup, and spaghetti squash at the supermarket and I'm interested in adding some variety to my diet. Does anyone have some tried and true recipes for these types of squash, and the best way to economize on the whole gourd (i.e. using skin and seeds and all)? Thanks!

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Black Bear Takes a Walk Through La Crescenta Apartment Complex

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 09:30 am
posted by: [info]laist

black_bear_tahoe.jpg
A black bear spotted on the streets of Tahoe in '07 (Photo by RickC/Flickr)
First the Station Fire, then the threat of mudslides, now a bear roaming the streets? La Crescenta residents can't seem to get a break from being in danger these days. Last night several "residents reported seeing a large black bear roaming through an apartment complex" on the 4300 block of Ocean View Boulevard, reports the Pasadena Star-News.

The LA County Sheriff's Department conducted a search, however they "found no sign of the bear." To warn residents, the sheriff's department used the reverse 911 system to place calls about the bear sighting. A 400-500lb bear was spotted in the Hastings Ranch area of Pasadena last month, and earlier this year a rep from the California Department of Fish and Game hailed '09 as "The Year of the Bear" since low water resources in mountains bring the hefty creatures downhill to find sustenance.



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Proposed Medical Marijuana Ordinance Hearing Set for Monday

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 09:29 am
posted by: [info]laist

68481352_24a8657d88_m.jpg Remember that draft ordinance submitted to City Council last month (read a copy of it here and scroll down)? Well, it's finally going to a city council committee where it will be vetted, questioned, possibly changed and more next Monday, according to the Daily News. Once and if passed out of committee, it will move to the full city council for a vote.



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CSU Sees 53% More Applications But Will Cut Enrollment By 40K

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 09:00 am
posted by: [info]laist

CalStateLongBeach_USU.jpg
CSU Long Beach will see fewer students, along with the system's 22 other campuses (Photo by LA Wad via LAist Featured Photos/Flickr)
Students seeking admission to any of the California State University's 23 campuses may find they'll have to make other plans in the coming academic years, since the system intends to go ahead with their plan to reduce enrollment "by 40,000 students over the next two years to contend with a $564-million budget cut for the 2009-10 fiscal year," reports the LA Times.

These cuts come when the CSU has seen a dramatic increase in applications: 53% overall from the same period last year. While 32% belongs to hopeful freshmen, the increase at this time is most likely due to hopeful transfer students, who found that applications were not being accepted for them last spring at all.

Many applicants are drawn to the CSU because of its relative affordability (though tuition has been hiked multiple times in recent years) and the opportunity they extend to incoming students to matriculate while completing some of their remediation work or core work not completed at community college. However, students the latter category may find the CSU locking them out based on those obligations.

"[W]e cannot educate more students with less," says Chancellor Charles Reed, in defense of the impending enrollment limits. The "less" comes from the crippling state-level budget cuts that have left campuses with no choice but to slash course offerings, ration resources, and put nearly all employees on mandatory furloughs. Oh, and raise tuition, again: "The Board of Trustees is expected to vote on the new budget -- which may include a 10% fee hike -- next week before it goes to the governor and Legislature."



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It's Veterans Day: Here's What's Happening in LA County

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 08:30 am
posted by: [info]laist

arlingtonwest.jpg
At the Arlington West project in Santa Monica (Photo by roostercoupon via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
Today is Veteran's Day, when the US pauses and asks we remember those who have served the country. Here's some of what you can expect today as part of the holiday. Public Services
  • Government offices, agencies, banks, courts, post offices, and several schools are closed.
  • Trash pick up in Los Angeles will operate as usual and Metro-operated buses and trains, Metrolink trains and Foothill Transit will run on a normal schedule.
Events
  • The San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade begins at 11:11 a.m. at Laurel Canyon and San Fernando Mission boulevards in Mission Hills, and will travel south on Laurel Canyon Boulevard 1.1 miles and end at Ritchie Valens Park in Pacoima, and will include a flyover by the World War II-era Flying Condor Squadron from Van Nuys.
  • Forest Lawn will conduct its 50th annual Veterans Day program, with the theme, "A Celebration of Heroes." It begins at 11 a.m. and includes live musical and aerial performances.
  • Redondo Beach's "Honor Our Veterans Tribute" will include a 2 p.m. groundbreaking for a Veterans Memorial in Veterans Park, which is adjacent to the Redondo Beach Pier.
  • The Los Angeles National Cemetary in Westwood has a program beginning at 11 a.m. that includes remarks from Gov. Schwarzenegger.
  • In West Hollywood, the Holloway Park Veterans Memorial will be rededicated as the Sal Guarriello Veterans' Memorial in a ceremony and celebration that begins at 11 a.m.
  • A candlelight vigil honoring veterans takes place tonight at the Airtel Hotel in Van Nuys from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Entrance fees are waived today at all lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation, and the Department of Agriculture also is waiving entrance fees at its national forests.
Event sources: CBS2, MyFoxLA, City of West Hollywood

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Death Penalty > Life Term?

Nov. 11th, 2009 | 07:59 am
posted by: [info]laist

california-death-row.jpg The way things are going now, being on California's death row seems cozier than a life term without possibility of parole, the LA Times finds. On death row, you get a single cell, good telephone access and "exclusive control over the television, CD player or other diversions in their cells," among other perks. What about that whole death penalty part? A four-year-old moratorium has stopped the practice, at least for now. And in any case, since 1977, 13 executions have occurred while 71 condemned prisoners died by other causes. 685 are currently on death row, making the state's death row population the largest in the country.



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