Attention

Some people need attention. It’s as if life doesn’t happen unless you get recognized by other people, their flashing cameras, inquiring microphones, or video footage. Be they musicians, artists, writers, bloggers, reporters, actors, personalities, gardeners, cooks, or whatever, some of these folks give off that sense that they feel inadequate unless others are minding their moves. That must be a sad state of affairs, always waiting for the social gaze to validate your existence, someone to finally acknowledge your tepid contribution to that massive dump of public input. Many move to Los Angeles precisely to get closer to those that wield the beaming spotlights, hoping to achieve focus in somebody’s frame. Lastima.

As a person born and raised in that other Los Angeles, accustomed to the glance of indifference but still annoyed by the occasional glare of disgust, I’m certainly aware of my role in this city, and wanting to be in front of cameras is not part of my reality. Thus I find it highly entertaining when I happen upon some of these media hungry specimens, it’s like inadvertently driving into a human zoo! I happened to catch one of these media beings on camera recently, click ahead to make the guy feel good about himself!

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Posted in Fotos, Greater Los Angeles, Shit I hate | 6 Comments

Cooking with EL CHAVO! : Nopales

Que Pasa Gente!
Did you finally get bored of that Croissan’wich? Great! It wasn’t very good for you anyways. I suggest you try some of the foods of your ancestors, you might find out the viejitos were right! In this installment we take a look at nopales, aka nopalitos, aka cactus paddles. It’s the Mexican-est food there is, it even plays a role in calling out Mexicans that have turned their back on their heritage. There is a popular phrase “tiene el nopal en la frente” (he has the nopal on his forehead) which is used when some person of Mexican descent tries to deny their background, even though everyone else knows the truth; you’re a commoner like the rest of us. I think I’m going to start using that phrase much more regularly, it needs to make a comeback.

Even if you don’t care about it’s Mexican-ness, you still might be interested in this recipe as Nopales are healthy, tasty, and cheap! They tend to remind me of cooked green beans, but more, uh, nopaley tasting. Plus you can amaze your friends with the fact that yes, you do know how to cook cactus! Besides, with the pending financial collapse we might all be forced to scrounge around in the deserts for stuff to eat and you’ll have a leg up. Don’t say I never did nothing for you! Enough with the wiri wiri, click here to get started.

Posted in Chanfles, Fotos, La Comida, no-recetas, This Chicano Life | 82 Comments

Missing Shoe

September 20, 2006.

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Posted in Fotos, Lincoln Heights, Pendejadas | 7 Comments

Mini Bike

Ready?

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Posted in Fotos, Lincoln Heights, Pendejadas, This Chicano Life | 8 Comments

Huevos Rancheros: Tere’s Mexican Grill

I haven’t had much luck finding decent Huevos Rancheros west of the LA river, but that’s not for lack of trying. A friend told me this place wasn’t very good, mostly blandish Mexican food that the studio people seem to think is awesomely authentic. But it gets great reviews, it can’t be that bad, can it? Well I had a chance to check it out, let’s see what all the fuss is about. Onwards!

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Posted in Fotos, Greater Los Angeles, Huevos Rancheros, La Comida | 12 Comments

Break Time

Even the paleteros have to take a lunch break. Here we see the main tool for the trade parked in front of a popular local eatery.

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments