Highland Park Gentrification

Posted on March 28, 2008 by EL CHAVO!

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I got paid to write the following piece for some magazine but they decided not to use it, going with something else instead. The full text is after the jump, in case you want to read about gentrification in Highland Park. I kinda don’t want to keep the money anymore, it just doesn’t feel right, but I sure as hell ain’t giving it back! I’m thinking of spending it on something interesting, something you readers might enjoy, like maybe a round of fine beers, a tamal tasting expedition to the Eastside, or a free taco for three hundred mouths. I’m not sure what to do, thus I’m asking for your suggestions on how to creatively spend this ill-gotten money. I encourage some good ideas, the crazier the better. But please don’t suggest I donate it to some well meaning charity or cause, that just won’t do. C’mon now, how hard is it to spend other peoples money? Don’t make me use it for rent!

Click ahead for the text.

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Posted in commodities, Greater Los Angeles, La Politica es un desmadre.., Pendejadas | 37 Comments

Huevos Rancheros: Taco Rico

Posted on March 15, 2008 by EL CHAVO!

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How is it that our minds decide whether we like something or not? Is it an instantaneous decision or does the process of elimination have more control over our so-called opinions? These are the questions I started asking myself when I had a late morning breakfast of HR’s at some random place in Highland Park I just happened to be near when the effects of too much coffee and not enough food started taking over. My initial reaction to the plate was like hearing a new band that you don’t know where to place, wondering if you’re liking the sounds or if its just pure annoyance. We’ve all been there, giving the record a few more spins and discovering one of the best albums ever or deciding it was crap all along. Well it’s no different for this review, click ahead and tell me what you think of my HR’s!

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Posted in Greater Los Angeles, Huevos Rancheros, La Comida | 5 Comments

Dreams

Posted on March 15, 2008 by EL CHAVO!

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Click here for larger, unedited pic.

As the world streams by, headed towards yet another day at work, another shopping experience, another attempt to be entertained, another night out in search of company, I lie here and dream. Of green pastures in which to sleep, of endless time to read, of delicious meals heading my way, of conversations with pretty ladies, of being invisible to the authorities. And then, the blare of a semi truck brings me back to the banks of the Interstate 5 river bustling with annoyed drivers, the reality of little money, the cold half eaten McMuffin, the empty 40. Tomorrow though, I know those dreams are going to materialize. I just know it.

Posted in Fotos, La Politica es un desmadre.., Lincoln Heights | 2 Comments

Que Pasa en Lincoln Heights?

Posted on March 9, 2008 by EL CHAVO!

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Being forced to spend excessive amounts of time outside of LH has one benefit: it makes me look forward to walking around the neighborhood to see what’s happening! I’ve been seeing other parts of the city, some of the supposedly nicer areas that I had been purposely avoiding for a long time, and it turns out I haven’t been missing out on much and neither are you, unless you get your sense of self or worth from fancy clothing shops, gimmicky boutiques, and thematic restaurants. Other than those missing but overrated aspects, we have a decent and vibrant little town here in Lincoln Heights, with constant change and some interesting characters to liven things up. About 2 minutes after taking this picture, and crossing Broadways towards the Big Saver, I got to experience what happens when an older chola drops a handful of coins on the sidewalk: if you try to help her pick them up she will yell out “that’s my change!” as if you were about to abscond with her coins. Luckily, I wasn’t the unfortunate do-gooder this time, it was some poor paisano that didn’t understand why a bit of help would lead to such a hostile challenge. An old chola might seem like a cool and fun icon, but just wait ’til you have to deal with them on a regular basis: romance lost!

So yeah, click ahead to read a short guide of what’s been happening around our dear LH.

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Posted in Fotos, Lincoln Heights | 12 Comments

R.I.P. Toothy (?-2008)

Posted on March 7, 2008 by EL CHAVO!

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Sad new to report to the LH community: our old friend Toothy is gone. That manly molar who made us all turn and giggle as we walked or drove by has been erased from this world, a victim of one too many walk-by scribbles by the baby taggers. The dental shop did their best to keep Toothy alive, carefully painting over the tags that would show up on his white enamel skin, but I guess the increased foot traffic to and from the Airliner club might have led to his demise. (Uhh, didn’t they also have something to do with our now missing Town Clock as well?) As the dicho goes, “Life’s Short, Play Hard”. So long Toothy, you will be missed.

Click ahead if you want to remember the glory days of our old pal.

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Posted in Fotos, Lincoln Heights, Shit I hate | 3 Comments

Huevos Rancheros: Catching Up

Posted on March 2, 2008 by EL CHAVO!

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I hinted I was going to do this last week but as you can see, I didn’t. So here is a quick wrap-up of some HR’s I’ve had recently that I wanted to mention but have neglected to do so, and before I forget all the details I better just sum it up. Please forgive my drive-by reviews. If you want to follow along, click ahead.

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Posted in Eastside, Huevos Rancheros, La Comida, Lincoln Heights | 7 Comments