Scenes From A Moving Vehicle

Posted on August 30, 2008 by EL CHAVO!

I seem to find myself within the Personal Armored Space of an automobile quite often nowadays, I suspect that the sinister plot of the work week might have something to do with this predicament. And though I’d rather be walking, biking, and snapping photos up and down the “grittiest urban settings” of my fair Lincoln Heights (side note to that link: fuck your fake Eastside!) I’ve decided to just go with the flow and allow my camera access to the car world around us. Car based photos tend to be quite bad by their very nature but they can still capture some sense of the reality we experience in our daily lives. Much can happen getting from one place to another. Moments of truth, seconds of the surreal, it all takes place.

I was thinking of writing something for those car transport haters, something to put things into context, but I can’t be bothered at the moment. Without further ado, click ahead for a gang of pics from a vehicle!

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Posted in Eastside, Fotos, Greater Los Angeles | 6 Comments

Huevos Rancheros: Koras Restaurant

Posted on August 21, 2008 by EL CHAVO!

I could just say nothing. But I’ll say something.

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Posted in Analysis, Fotos, Huevos Rancheros, La Comida, linux/tech, This Chicano Life | 16 Comments

Oh Dear

Posted on August 16, 2008 by EL CHAVO!

(Breathe in, breathe out. Composure.)

Over at LA Eastside, I mentioned that I’m not a huge fan of the works by ALZA but noted that his aesthetic basically defines the look of Northeast LA, and increasingly, some of the Eastside. Waltarrrrr of 90042 doesn’t care much for his signs, and is fuming over the decidedly stupid “care” fix on some mural tagging. Considering that these types of aerosol murals and my preferred painted signs are considered illegal, I would still rather see this type of impromptu artwork instead of the blank walls the paperwork process of the city bureaucracy practically imposes.

But still, when one of my favorite places to eat gets ALZAfied, that’s not easy to stomach.

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Posted in Analysis, Fotos, La Comida, Lincoln Heights | 8 Comments

El Difunto Don Ramon

Posted on August 9, 2008 by EL CHAVO!

20 years ago, the legendary actor and comedian Ramón Valdés, better known as “Don Ramon” on the Chavo Del Ocho TV series, passed away due to lung cancer. Though he had a tendency for doling out coscorones to El Chavo (ouch!) I can’t let the day go by without acknowledging and paying my respects to the talents of this comedic genius. His character was beloved by many as he represented the (barely!) working man, having to fend of the landlord coming for the rent, constantly mocked and corrected by the cultured class (Prof. Jirafales), and forced to hold in his rage against the verbal and physical attacks of the aspiring middle class, aka Dona Florinda. Despite his daily struggles to make ends meet and being lumped into the category of mere Chusma, the man was honest and retained a kind heart. It’s not the sort of role I expect to see on TV anytime soon.

To get this commemorative party started, check out the homage video clip above, with a great song by Los Mox! that celebrates ‘Ron Damon’. Then click ahead for some more clips, pos si quieres.

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Posted in Chanfles, videos | 4 Comments

Burrito Vegetariano 2.50

Posted on August 5, 2008 by EL CHAVO!


click here for larger (but still blurry) pic

The new sign at Llamarada includes a bold and strong embrace of the veggie customers, no doubt my friends and I have played a hand in this welcome addition to their always sparse menu. It’s not hard to influence culture, food or otherwise, you just have to be a participant.

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Huevos Rancheros: Metro Balderas

Posted on August 2, 2008 by EL CHAVO!

Only a few weeks ago, this place used to be a taco stand. When I noticed this new sign above I knew I was gonna have to visit very soon: any place that makes an accurate reference to Mexico City has to have some sort of legitimate connections to the place. And of course, it turned out the food was very much in keeping with the D.F. spirit; tasty, unique, and fresh. This place really just shows the difference between Mex-American food (the stuff that has been known as Mexican Food for way too long) and Mexican food, that fresh but simple fare that actually tastes like food. It turns out this is the 4th of a few restaurants based mostly in the San Fernando Valley, and though I expected this place to suffer from the usual expansion woes, it seems they have hit the ground running.

But how were the Huevos Rancheros?

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Posted in Greater Los Angeles, Huevos Rancheros, La Comida | 28 Comments