(⦿Y⦿) cubtrina

'And the eye-in-the-sky is watching us all.'

2012-01-22T17:07:00.000-08:00

The inaugural L.A. Affordable Art Fair soft opening at the event deck of L.A. Live on Jan. 17 showcased artwork from galleries all over the world! It was unfair how unaffordable the contemporary pieces were at $100 - $10,000, but artists gotta make a living through original work, too.

P.S. Canada's Feral Fine Art and Culver City's Thinkspace gallery were fresh to depth! Toy Art Gallery artist Dave Bondi helped define the lines of toy art production for me, too.

A dyslexic guy walks into a bra

2012-01-18T21:31:00.000-08:00

Kept my fingers crossed for Cole Mohr or Francisco Lachowski to show up on set, but got so much more from assisting the stylists, ha.

The photo shoot took one female model; one estate in Pasadena; two stylists and trailers; three days; 10+ looks; 30+ crew members, hundreds of clothing, accessories, shoes and bags; thousands of mileage and tens and thousands of dollars.

Like any production with a disposable budget, time, money and people were exhausted, leaving the last of the energy reserves for usage. I am deeply sickened of the wastefulness with the exception of the yummy catering service by LOVE and the crew.

With all the (dis)gusto aside, the people on set were all very receptive and for the most part, either Briton, East Coaster or other. Some were crude and plain-stakingly hilarious. Here's an example of the gay Joan Rivers on set:

GJR: I'd rather fly from New Jersey to L.A. than drive from San Diego to L.A. I'd shit in my pants. I'd need Depends, a whole bag of Depends.

Me: Maybe you should just sit on a commode the entire drive.

GJR: [J.K. Rowling] doesn't need to make any more money. [That] bitch!1

Me: Are these vines [on the house] fake?

GJR: Yes, they're fake just like my plastic dick.

For the first time, I sewed a button on a blazer, steamed clothes, wore booties, stepped into a commercial trailer and realized how much I may not want to participate in something so wearing out-tishly and tellingly meaningless like this again.

510110110NS

Aerial view of the shoot location

What ships out, must be shipped back!

Or sink in debt from rental fees!

Sketchy

How it all went down!

LOVE Catering made me accept squash and asparagus!

Stylist Matilda G.

Just realized the model on set (right) is the very chick on my desktop for

the Wildfox Couture SS 2012 lookbook

The 3rd Annual Taste Awards (||]

2012-01-14T01:10:00.000-08:00

Thursday's Taste Awards (pronounced tasty) wasn't the flawless and fascinating awards ceremony that I never expected it to be. The food and fashion fete didn't have enough seat fillers, awardees and editing, but it sure had plenty of exquisite tummy fillers and lady killers! I think this is what they refer to as cheap thrills. Much appreciated.

California wineries Peju and R&B Cellars, organic tequila Alquimia, VAD vodka, Mignon chocolate, Think Thin, Sartori Cheese and Shoop's served the most savvy sav!

Fashion Police head writer Tony Tripoli, cooking show star Jolene Sugarbaker and fashion blogger Heather Petrey were some of the pleasant people at The Egyptian Theater Eddie and I encountered.

We met Albany-an and Aussome tourists and slider-and-salmon-delivering challenges along the long and winding way back to the parking structure. One serving survived.

An ankh and arms that resemble an obscure butt

Ms. Heather Petrey

Winner, winner, chicken dinner

Better dressed uncouple

The Drunk Chef

Whine

Let the games begin!

Mila Jovovich

Bitchin' kitchen

Speech on speed

As told by ginger

Cheese bloq

Sliders and salmon

Organic tekilla

Grey loosey Goosey

Totoro y wine

Ms. Jolene Sugarbaker

Alie & Georgia

Joan River's headwriter for Fashion Police, Tony Tripoli

The Egyptian Theater

Aussome

The surviving slider

AGENDA

2012-01-07T17:37:00.001-08:00

I went to the Agenda trade show at the Long Beach Convention Center for buyers, sellers (Mishka-Palladium) and other fellers from Jan. 5-6. It was just as much of a networking event as it was a "where's-the-party-at?" kinda happening. I still can't answer that.

P.S. TY Boom Tho! for the tin lunchbox \o/

'I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.'

2011-12-31T12:08:00.000-08:00

Ryan Mcginley

Anamnesis, MOFO!

Simply put, I don't feel like reflecting all too much at the moment. I'm afraid if I didn't say it, nothing would've come out anyway. I've definitely lost a few brain cells, and maybe my mind during some instances in 2011. My brain can no longer pick up on time- it thinks that any event before September is a thing of 2010. Ironically, I've managed to live in the moment, though. This was the first year I didn't travel by plane at all. This was also the first year I got to legally purchase two buck Chuck. I got my first paycheck shortly after. Then I learned that my actions may have direct consequences after being pulled over for the first time (down the hill). I learned to take action about the true nature of 2012 strangers. I also got to befriend many modern renaissance beings. I've taken a stab, a shot, a swing [literal blow (to the head)], among other things!

And now, I hope that we don't all lose our lives in 2012! If you were to ask me why, it's because I'm finally living! What, am I going to die short of one year's old? Strange, in my 2010 NYE post, I claimed I've been living on earth like a macaw "perusing the earth for over one hundred years," though.

But between all these stereotypical monumental moments were seriously some of the best revelations of my life thus far. You had to be there. I've decided not to include photos because I don't want some tourist trap Madame Tussaud wax figure portraying the real thing, okay! I lied, I'm just too lazy to pick and choose.

Before I go vague, I think it's best if I start focusing more in 2012 and separating myself from oodles of idleness. That means staying away from you! No, but I really want to amp up my productivity to match my ambitiousness.

P.S. Brain, please make a conscious effort to remember to forget that my Future Me email is going to be delivered tomorrow. Ah, adieu!

'Where the days are longer, the nights are stronger than moonshine. You're gonna go, I know.' - America

2011-12-24T21:36:00.000-08:00

@ Moody/South St. on December 19

2011-12-14T08:50:00.000-08:00

Made this yesterday. My first attempt at a video for music on iMovie. It's just not the same as Final Cut Pro, but I'm no pro.

LB Boutiques: Imonni

2011-12-06T16:11:00.000-08:00

Store Imonni (2106 E 4th St)

Model Yoshi Sudarso

Photos Me

With less than 30 minutes, we had to make do with doodoo (circumstances).

THIRD THURSDAY MIXTAPE

2011-11-24T13:08:00.000-08:00

Third Thursday by cubtrina

Pre-Thanksgiving mix

1. Star Slinger – Family Friend
2. The 88 – Coming Home
3. Tokyo Police Club – Favourite Food
4. Little Dragon – Ritual Union
5. Nina Simone – Feeling Good
6. The Cranberries – Ode to My Family
7. Joy Division – Ceremony (live)
8. Amon Tobin – Easy Muffin
9. Teebs – Cook, Clean, Pay the Rent
10. Madvillain – Meat Grinder
11. Poolside – Harvest Moon (Neil Young cover)
12. ABBA – Thank You For the Music
13. The Byrds – Times They Are A Changin’
14. GOBBLE GOBBLE – Where Is My Mind? (Pixies Blasphemy)

“Life begets life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.” — Sarah Bernhardt

2011-11-21T01:28:00.000-08:00

I haven't been this happy for this amount of time. It's the timing of everything leading up to 11|11|11, or so I'd like to think. Even as the Ethics at the Beach speaker on speed said, it's all about your thinking. If deception works, then so be it. It's that little push we need in life.

Then again, I think it has more to do with my environment. Ironically, the people around me have finally found their own happiness from within. It kind of rolls over to me.

My life is crazier than any blog I post, but it's good to downplay things. I don't need to talk about the weird coincidences and blessings in life, since I have a secret email account where I archive all the synchronicities. It usually starts with a screenshoot or photo with an explanation, like on this thing!

But how weird! Someone who hasn't talked to me in so long decided to IM me just now, saying how he wants to give up on life. I hope he positively copes with the madness that life hands to us. I usually deal with my troubles through arts and craps, like that random collage of quirky beings I cut up from science.

Albert Einstein said, "All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. All these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man's life, lifting it from the sphere of mere physical existence and leading the individual towards freedom."

I'm not being progressive with this song choice, seeing how it's about people who aren't fun-loving, but it really reflects the unintentional downers who must be left behind with the times:

Refinery29 horoscope is spot on for Gemini:

It’s been a long time since you’ve felt this good, so revel in it. You have a lot to be thankful for.

Yet today my professor said how he used to write horoscopes at a newspaper and how trivial it was.

Lengthy Black Dress (Part 1)

2011-11-16T15:03:00.000-08:00

Photos from Planet Blues, Bullett Magazine, Lust for Life, American Gold, IDLM, etc.

Q&A with terrarium jewelry designers

2011-10-24T13:08:00.001-07:00

A 2010 interview with industrial and interior designer Hafsteinn Juliusson

How do you phonetically pronounce your name?

It would be something like this for English speakers: Hafstaidn Youliusson.

What is your occupation?

Design director at HAF

How would you describe your design concepts from the edible Slim Chips to the exhibition on wheels?

They are lighthearted and fun with an important message.

How are the Growing Project's concept and physical items themselves being kept alive?

It's up to the owner of the jewelry to take care of the plants, and to replace them once they die. [Growing Jewelry] itself is all about reconnecting people with nature and embracing your own nature as it being the real value in life.

Like with Growing Project, how do you enable your creativity to flourish?

Through people and concepts. It's a nice job to be a designer, but the main thing that motivates me is to relate to society with my creations. I like to see [my projects] come alive.

A recent interview with Brooklynite photographer Sharon Goldberg.

Tell us a little about yourself.

To start off, my name is Sharon and I live in Brooklyn, NY. Besides creating With Roots, I am a photographer and photo retoucher. You can find my photo work here. I love riding my bike, traveling everywhere and taking fun photos of my friends being ridiculous.

How did With Roots come about?

With Roots was born in January of 2011 when I was making customized terrariums for a close friend's birthday. He loved the terrariums so much, he told me he wished he could wear them! For some reason that sentence lingered in my head, and I figured out a way to make it happen.

Have you seen Hafsteinn Juliusson's Project Grow from last year?

Yes! Their stuff is amazing! Since I've started With Roots, many friends have sent me links to other variations of live jewelry, and there is some fantastic and creative stuff out there.

Would you say that you have a green thumb?

I like to think I have a green thumb. I think I get it from my mom; her house is full of plants and lots of orchids. She is amazing when it comes to having a green thumb.

Have you thought about making rings?

I'd love to make rings! I've been searching out ways to make it possible for a while now. Nothing has struck me as just the right idea yet, but I'm working on it!

Do you have a favorite flower?

My absolute favorite flower is lilac. Growing up, we had a huge lilac tree on the side of our house. They're only in bloom for about two weeks out of the whole year, making them extra special.

*Photos from HAF and Sharon Goldberg

(RE)LAUNCHING AN ONLINE SHOP COME NOVEMBER. I HOPE YOU'LL REMEMBER!

2011-10-20T18:23:00.002-07:00

TARTAN CONTROL

Cacharel slim fit shirt, $175
Vivienne Westwood Anglomania wrap skirt, £235
Dr. Martens dr martens boots, 150 CAD
MTWTFSS Weekday black hat, €20
Oversized wayfarer sunglasses, $410
T By Alexander Wang Jersey Sweater - Feathers - farfetch.com, $152

pal mixtape

2011-10-07T02:29:00.000-07:00

Originally titled PALMS, but the track list wouldn't have been easy listening. I still dedicate this mixtape to all the mothers out there with MS or young boys with Cerebal palsy. I don't know of any, but like these songs by animal-themed bands, I've heard of them. Soundcloud

1 Big Spider's Back - Don't Make Me Laugh
2 Miniature Tigers - The Very Thought of You (Cover)
3 Giraffage - Moments
4 Beaver & Krause - Changes
5 Moths - Hearts
6 Glowbug - Where Is My Mind? (Cover)
7 Sondre Lerche - Modern Nature
8 Miniature Tigers - Cannibal Queen
9 Deerhunter - Desire Lines
10 Beach House - Zebra
11 Arctic Monkeys - Mardy Bum
12 Little Dragon - Blinking Pigs
13 Pandr Eyez - Little Bit
14 Gold Panda - I'm With You But I'm Lonely

"I don't want to destroy your tank top, let's be friends and just walk away." - Weezer's "Undone"

2011-09-09T01:10:00.000-07:00

There were too many modelesque citizens at LA FNO that I couldn't catch 'em all! The rest were mingling among their little circles or just plain unapproachable.. but I managed to snap some horrible quality photos of the lux style choices:

Sir Mac

Cut out so in!

Phillip Lim at Phillip Lim

Chanel at Chanel

"I can run away and leave you here to stay inside dreaming." - Cults' "Oh My God"

2011-09-05T13:00:00.000-07:00

A sporadic account in less than one breath:

Millions.. well too many hepstahs scoured through the Los Angeles Historic Park for the annual FYF Fest to honor the musical dust bowl of the decade. Oliver Twists traveled in packs while dancing in circles, never minding anything but the music and other bare necessities. Oh, and the Bear Republic flag hovered over a few teen boys to mark their every location. Oh, and dead (or just dirty) babies on a stick moved in a disorderly fashion.

Smith Westerns were adorbs and entertaining lolito boys. Their three moneymaker songs, according to frontman Cullen Omori, included sensually rifted and lyrically charming hit “The Weekend.” Like fellow vamp Cullen, he was pale with brunette hair and Elvis noodleg moves.

Cult’s lead vocalist Madeline Follin sang more baby than usual. The Columbia Record deal has probably gone to her mop head. The ‘60s love goddess tra-la-la’d to old songs like “Oh My God” and “Go Outside” and new songs “Abducted.”

I was complete after these two. I’ve either already seen the rest of the musicians or just no longer wanted to. But I’m glad I stayed and got blown away by Nosaj Thing. The lanky Korean American killed the stage with hypnotic visuals that added to the trance-inducing electronic sounds of perfection and bliss. Chilly outdoors + the chills!

Simian Mobile Disco brought the glow sticks and dance groove circles. The hexagon lights and sound mixer in the center only amplified “Hustler,” “Cruel Intentions,” “Sleep Deprivation.” The audience would withhold the applause in order to protest for more. This is where I saw men take out their plastics and took the last of their fungi.

Four Tet was near the porta potties.. what a picnic!

Girls had an intimate love song session with a mix of people and soul backup singers, such as a man as tall as a lighthouse. They opened with hit “Lust for Life,” “Laura” and old songs. They also ended with an old song heart wrenching and epic “Hellhole Ratrace.”

This year’s fest is a leap from the previous years in that it no longer looks like a hipster internment camp of people waiting in line for the restroom, foods and water fountains. I’ve been going for the last three years, free of charge, and it surely has kicked the dusty previous year in the keister! For the record, I've been pretty sober from beginning to end.

"The pain inside my neck is leavin' leavin' and then we sit on the grass and oh!" -- No Age -"Boy Void"

2011-07-24T23:49:00.001-07:00

MacArthur Park + gentrification?!

Here ye, here ye:

No Flag. Dukowski. Morris. Randall. Spunt. One Night. Thursday, July 21st, 2011.

Brought to you by FYF.

P.S. Free soyrizo tacos from Food Not Bombs!

Rear view of Heaven's Gate gathering

Lay's to get laid?

Mike Gao's long lost brother?

No Age's drummer vocalist Dean Spunt

Hey, aren't you that figure from Legends of the Hidden Temple?

The real dougie and Black Flag's Keith and Chuck!

Take that HP!

Scapul-ahhs, medial borders and inferior angles!

I have not seen No Age live since 2008!

"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking." -George S. Patton

2011-07-11T01:08:00.000-07:00

Project in the making! Many thanks to my mild emotional distress symptom (MEDS). I've grown too comfortable with expressing myself through words, so it's nice to revert to my primal agoraphobic and impulsive instincts and speak through arts and craps.

"The pretty little flowers on the racks a'blend, fulfilled with meaning, let's sip the Riesling." - Theophilus London

2011-06-26T02:29:00.000-07:00

Two of my favorite blogbodies:

"There's something about the summer, something about the summer that makes me moody." - Best Coast

2011-06-19T16:56:00.000-07:00

Make Music Pasadena could have possibly been unforgettable and forgettable. I ran into a bunch of familiar feces by the way.

Penguin suit

Chk!

Sugar Kane plantation workers in the city

Crowd sourcing

This is no Reno 911!

John sighting

The Goonies

Best Coast's Bethany and her body double

Rasputin lives!

"Bologna is a deli meat for people with eyes." - Mitch Hedberg

2011-06-13T23:51:00.000-07:00

I easily identifed this vintage Betsey Johnson sweater thanks to my eBay addict days.

"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked.." -Allen Ginsberg

2011-06-07T02:09:00.000-07:00

Berkeley, Calif.

A miniseries of people I crossed paths with on the Telegraph Ave..

Free spirit

Intro to pledge bro

Europe Super Vacation tour buddy reunion

BART

"In Hollywood they say there's no business like show business. In the hood they say there's no business like hoe business." - 50 Cent

2011-05-29T17:17:00.000-07:00

I was confined to Space 15 Twenty's fortress made of flea and farmer's market and UO, among other happenings. If only the assailants catapulted some bums, dimwits, and other parasitic city dwellers..

L'Auberge Espagnole's Alessandro meets Run Lola Run

Input : Output

2011-05-16T15:16:00.000-07:00

Like with Dim Mak, I am bringing Cubtrina's Intern-net Surfing here. It lasted for about 40 posts, until it ran dry. This was from the week before finals, mainly from the artwalk.

"Tell me all. Tell me now."- Finnegan's Wake

2011-05-06T13:27:00.001-07:00

I’m not going to act a loquacious loon and go into detail on this public blog. The week was amazeballs and quixotic. I am blessed to attend events as a press passer. P.S. So these photos bore myself to death too, but just go along with it!

Saturday, April 30: The inaugural We Are One Filipino Mixer and Gawad Kalinga Hope Ball at the Monte Carlo and Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas with the BakitWhy.com team

Wednesday, May 4: Amnesty International’s 50^th anniversary celebration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Cal State Long Beach's Carpenter Performing Arts Center for the Daily 49er : Read here / Colin Hearts Kay screening (dir. Conley bros, starring Emily Chang and Noah Starr) at the United Film Artists Film Festival in Los Feliz for Audrey Magazine : Read here

Thursday, May 5: Sigma's fundraiser at Frosbites

Sunday, May 8: Rosebowl Flearket and Mother's Day at Downtown Disney : Read here | Read here

'The girl is not selling her private life, but her image.' - Karl Lagerfeld.

2011-03-31T21:15:00.000-07:00

March, 12 | Ace Gallery, Los Angeles, Calif.

I underestimated the distance from point B to point C, and so Jennifer and I missed a huge chunk of the Thai Nguyen fall/winter 2011 show. We managed to catch the finale with the entire collection, while my camera's settings went off the charts!

El dia de los Mickeyes Mausones

The clap

Baby back ribs

Check out the diversely unisex hairstyles

From the designer himself

'She comes in colors everywhere; she combs her hair, she's like a rainbow.' - The Rolling Stones

2011-03-17T18:37:00.001-07:00

I had to hold some Olivia Munn photos for a few months until the Audrey spring issue was released. Those who have worked behind the scenes aren't stretching the truth when they say shoots are beyawn-d unglamorous. It's nothing like the end result.

There will be light.

There will be no privacy.

Cut, cut, cut

'I'm bi-winning. I win here and I win there.' - Charlie Sheen

2011-03-04T21:51:00.000-08:00

Charlie Sheen rhymes with morphine.

That reminds me: River Phoenix drowned in lethal levels of cocaine and morphine back in Halloween of '93. So here's a My Own Private Idaho homage to those who have OD'ed and passed on (and could have used some lifesaving tiger blood transfusions themselves).

P.S. James Franco recently collaborated with director Gus Van Sant to rework the 1991 film into a 12-hour version called Endless Idaho. I'm hope you believe in freewill and have options to choose not to see the Yale student's work.

A few minor characters are composites. Except for family members, public figures and Dwayne, identities have been scrambled

2011-01-09T16:21:00.000-08:00

Belated Happy 21st Anniversary to my beautiful mother and very sociable father (ha ha!). Two things I unfortunately did not inherit. I, however, was raised to be an independent thinker, and look at me now: a weirdo. This post is the least and only thing I could ever do for the two. But I love my parents!

This isn't the best selection of photos, but rather a random assortment of photos that gives a little look into their years together from their Long Beach Polytechnic High School years to now. Click here to read a Bakitwhy.com piece.

A Singapore stop during a 2010 Southeast Asia and China tour

Why is there a tear and why is Bee Gees inscribed on the corner?

Alas, after a certain age every man is responsible for his face

2011-01-04T00:20:00.000-08:00

NOTE: I've tried to change it up a bit by posting photos taken by others again, but in reality, it means I'm just being lazy. So take a glance and take an even closer look to see if you notice any similarities between the black and whiteness of the six photos I carefully selected. These most-viewed male models are actually in the grey area when touching upon the versatility of the androgynous and post-grunge appeal a la i-D and Dazed and Confused. The conventional angular-look of Jon Kortajarena and Mathias Lauridsen are still sure-fire forms of beauty (and what many men call gay), but the fashion industry is always seasons ahead when embracing the uniqueness of it all.

It was a cool spot, staid but cheerful, a wonderful place for echoes, and a very harbour from the raging streets

2010-12-28T04:30:00.000-08:00

2010

P.S. The photos [by me] are in chronological order,

but each piece is not causal with the subsequent.. though they'd make for decent diptychs.

There's no excuse, but I did this so hurriedly.

It’s easy to say that the year went by too fast because I really haven’t been keeping the best track of time. For all I know, (my time perception makes me feel as if ) I’ve been perusing the earth for over one hundred years. My sloth self has done so much in the recent years; I guess to compensate for the dark ages. Back then, I –what’s that word—retain—no. Anyways, I have difficulties recalling exact terms for things, when I used to have a photographic memory. I’m so scatterbrained.

In retrospect, this was the Year of Accomplishment and Inevitable Shamelessness. Even though I have done so much (not really), I can never do enough (proving a point here). I believe in self-enhancement, and it comes as a shock that there are people out there who aren't happy with themselves but sulk and refuse to do anything about it. If only I could write a self-help book, I would. But instead, I hope that I've lent enough helping hands as a friend for for those who've needed it most, especially during the third quarter when a bunch of you were contemplating suicide. Even though I'm a person of extremities, which I call adaptability, I hope I was at least a good person to you this year, like the net to catch you when you jump off the 34th floor, kidding.

My resolutions haven't been on the same level as "living in the moment," but for 2011, I'd like to keep it simple and just live and continue to be myself. Then again, I've always wanted to be successful so that being an outlier of society would be all right. People could judge me as a weirdo, but at least I can be "secure." The thing is, I am well aware of why I am, which is how I grasp the concept of who I am. It's up to the rest to understand me. I've been disillusioned for decades; the world is round.

I won’t dig too much into my personal life, but here are bits of events from the year. And to think, it seemed like it was just yesterday when I did this sort of annual roundup.

I got to go to so many events and places such as Coachella, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau and other parts of China. I got the opportunity to attend exclusive and free events such as Electric Daisy Carnival, Sanrio: Small Gift press day, Los Angeles Fashion Week and more. But those weren't the highlights!

Everything else that took place in between was what binded the year and made it a solid one at most! I associated myself with stark and electrifying samaritans and enlightening organizations. And of course, I may have had to let go of some people along the way. Or they let go of me. Who knows! And who knows what I did this year. P.S. I seem to be collecting additional best friends every year, like a rolling stone. I love you all.

Yeow New Year!

She'd been drinking too much eggnog and we'd beg her not to go

2010-12-26T14:04:00.000-08:00

If I were to document my winter break, then it'd be the ugliest sight ever, unless you have a fetish for people wearing house clothes and sitting on a couch all day.

As Scrooge-y my curmudgeon self is (and I'm so sorry!), I'd like to wish everyone HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Because putting an 'a' doesn't make the best sense, sorry.

Jiminerva was a scaredy cat

This couldn't have been taken at a better time

As momentary lights glanced into it, I have had glimpses of buried treasure and other things submerged

2010-12-20T15:50:00.000-08:00

Wintry clothes from $2.92 and under. Photos by me.

Perhaps this is our strange and haunting paradox here in America - that we are fixed and certain only when we are in movement

2010-12-14T12:42:00.000-08:00

When Tumblr was virtually nonexistent, the Flickr realm plagued my life with photos from the likes of Allison Scarpulla, Jon Edwards and Superbomba. I've been bewitched ever since my tormented teenage years. Scarpulla's haunting vignettes are like the perfect visual imagery for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and Washington Irving's "The Devil and Tom Walker."

So for the first time, I'd like to present to you... photos that aren't mine:

Steve Angello X Steve Aoki

2010-11-24T17:58:00.001-08:00

Cinespace, Los Angeles, Calif.

As a first-timer and helper for Dim Mak Tuesdays at Cinespace, I understayed my welcome. Hearing that The Steves' Birthday party was going to last until sunrise, it was rest-assured I would not make it. (No, because I parked at a lot that closes at 2 a.m. daily.)

Being around house aficionados and party club goers is not my scene, but that was out of the question because the people are pretty radical.

The secret guests were Swedish House Mafia, Will.i.am and, of course, the birthday boy himself.

I sat behind the merchandise booth table, but I didn't really help as much as I could because there were already so many of Steve's little helpers.

P.S. The Dim Mak van got a parking ticket. C'mon parking enforcer, is this your way of relaying a birthday message to The Steve?

For holier than thou photos, check out Mark "The Cobra Snake" Hunter's stash here!

Cool gals is all I can say

Two Steve heads are better than one, even if one may be split in half

This is not an equation, but it equals loads.. of a good time, nonetheless

Steve's little helpers help themselves

Steve whips his hair back and forth, he whips his hair back and forth, among other things

DJ Kidmillionaire points to the circular designs, which is the Cubtrina ASCII. Cubtrinati anyone?

He is just that: a pioneer

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust (Courtesy of The Cobra Snake)

A silly lad handed me a Marvin the Martian band

Unforgettable

2010-11-21T18:22:00.001-08:00

Park Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles, Calif.

A man's lure tactic: alcohol or a costumed figure

Statuesque Miss K's

A meaty Lawry's dinner

Randall Park Plaza was the host of the evening

Chan Ho Park pitched verbal diarrhea

Insert here

The interns made it out alive!

Since Audrey Magazine is KoreAm Journal's sister publication, we interns got the chance to help out and dine at the same time for the publication's 20th anniversary and Unforgettable gala's 10th anniversary. To give you a better portrait of the enormousness of the event, I wore foundation and fake eyelashes for the first time. Melody and I did have to assist both Miss Koreas with raffle ticket sales. It was a drag to be walking amidst good looking figures, but overall, it was a pleasure to be both behind the scenes and out there.

Lawry's dinner, celebrities, performances, gift bags, red carpet, after party, decor and more .

Prominent figures like Grace Park, Chan Ho Park and Juju Chang along with presenters Lindsay Price, Amerie, Lisa Ling and more joined in the celebration of the Asian community's achievements.

By the end of the night..well, let's just say it was Unforgettable, but I'm sure others' hippocampus weren't functioning as well.

A Noy, B, C and P Noy

2010-11-16T23:41:00.000-08:00

Snagged some bags and sipped on some tea

The libelous (obscene and politically incorrect) possibilities are endless.

Sinead O' Conner Jr., is that you?

Miniature Asian boys give a 90 degree angle gesture. How complimentary!

ABS-CBN's Balitang America reporting for duty

As Coco extended his hand, I said, "[My hands are] Basa!"

The Power Ranger holds a fist of fury

Q&A

I drove into Paramount Pictures and asked the ticket man where Raleigh Studios parking was, but with his allegiance to Paramount, he followed some code of silence. C’mon it’s common courtesy, so direct me to the Ra-Raleigh Studios!

Maybe I would have been better off lost, though. Kidding.

The Noy private screening was a manufactured Hollywood experience with the lesser knowns (insert names here), Ron Jeremy, Michael Copon and Poretics (to name the only familiar faces).

Coco Martin was held captive in the limo until the guests were forced to have some cake, drinks and fun!

To be honest, best of luck to Noy in getting an Academy nod for foreign film because I’ve seen better and more deserving Filipino films this year. I thought the docudrama didn't clearly present time, so the plot was random with an inundation of stillness to melodrama. Ron Jeremy even said he thought the the plot wasn't good enough, though the acting was great. "Of course everyone's going to say 'great film,'" he added. The use of music was a classic, though.

Before I left, I said goodbye to the star of the movie, who asked how old I was. "How old do I look?!" I said with four goodie bags hung on my arm (it's not all for me).

It’s a blessing and a parusa that I’m always the youngest person at events because it makes me want to work harder so that I won't end up in limbo.

"[Sanrio] is under our feet as well as over our heads.”

2010-11-12T15:16:00.000-08:00

For better event coverage, watch Audrey Kitching's video here. Chech out style photos here.

Cat-signal

It's a bird, it's a blimp!

Putt, putt!

Huff and creme puff

Rest in pieces, wrinkly dinks

She doesn't have a mouth, but she has a body. Passive!

They fart art

Don't drop the bar of soap!

Badz to the bone thugs and harmony

I spy some tea cups

Sisters Laura and Lisa Ling. I refrained from saying, "Welcome back!"

Pop-up truck

What a display!

The red carpet finally settled down

The small gift

'Twas a big gift to be at Small Gift, Sanrio's 50th anniversary celebration at The Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, Calif.

Yesterday's press preview opened up a whole new level of consciousness called dreamland, and everyone who was there agrees. Even Freud would agree. I talked to a Georgia-native who even did that shuffling down move due to the level of pure excitement tingling down her spine.

Everything from the caricature sketching to Pink's hot dogs and drinks was a free trial to impress the press. If only I was 21, then the event would have been even more smashing! Until then, I shall pass out from free goodies!

Small Gift L.A. runs from Nov. 12 to 21, so for more info., visit http://www.sanrio.com/smallgift

Sábado Gigante

2010-10-17T21:55:00.000-07:00

I won't waste your time with my lollygagging, so here's my first-ever attempt: Asian Professional Exchange (APEX) Career Symposium at the Wilshire Grand; JL Marks, Balthaczar, and Joyrich SS11 at the Sunset Gower Studios; and Sigma informals after party. I'm always killing two birds with one stone at all costs to save time. A multipurpose event is like double entendre.

Cheche, get the yayo

2010-10-07T22:35:00.000-07:00

Cal State Long Beach

Perrier in between talks (Read here)

Design transcends communication (Read here)

F, NO!

2010-09-24T23:11:00.000-07:00

Fashion's Night Out Los Angeles, Calif.

Unsweet victory! The Beverly Center and Melrose didn't have much to show or give, I tell ya! These male flingers definitely deterred us from getting the cotton candy at Chinese Laundry on time. The vendor pulled out [of the store] right when we turned around.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust

2010-09-05T18:40:00.000-07:00

Downtown L.A., Calif.

If you like nothing but heat, dust and lines, then FYF Fest aka Summer Hipster Minor Concentration Camp is definitely for you. It's like Coachella preparatory school.

Besides seeing many familiar faces, I'm sure many bad trippers thought I was the crimson devil. I guess hipsters don't like to dabble in red. I did see Sonic the Hedgehog running around after rings, though!

After Local Natives ended their set with "Airplanes," "Who Knows, Who Cares" and "Sun Hands," I was good to go. I got lost for a while, but thank goodness I was adopted.

The sky should read, "Relive sh1t" for next year's FYF Fest

Being stoop kid

The "BuuUuh" part in "Airplanes"

Coachella

C-r-a-f-t spells.

The topless Asian boy who took this was drunk and not associated with any of us.

Apocalypse now!

Render and round em up

Underprivileged kids say the darnest things!

2010-08-30T16:28:00.001-07:00

Vanguard, Hollywood, Calif.

A meet and greet, cept no one wanted to meet me

Oh, the irony

Skull and bones, thugs and harmony

Just like Disneyland!

"What channel is this going to be on?" / "Do you have a mirror?" said the boy.

Guess?

Scratch

The talking heads

Honest Tea

"That's disgusting!" said the kids. "You don't look too good," said the tweens.

This kid is not possessed or on any meds.

Barbie Q

Three consecutive days of partying and a holy volunteer event the last four days concluded my overall mania-induced summer vacation. Here's what I posted on the DM blog, and of course, it's pretty droll and censored:

Presented by All Points Worldwide in association with Barracuda Hair and After-School All-Stars, the first annual KOOL KIDS Back to School Fair took place Sunday in Hollywood to provide services for hundreds of local underprivileged kids in grades 5-9.

The services included gift-giving, DJ lessons, nutritional foods, sports activities, manicures, haircuts, picture-taking, a magic show and more from sponsors who included Creative Recreation, Dim Mak, Honest Tea, Nicole by OPI, Scion, Sensible Portions and other companies.

At the Dim Mak booth, the kids were given a lesson on the history of the record label and instructed how to scratch by DJ Hyphy Crunk, DJ Dan Oh and DJ Metric. Afterwards, everyone was free to warm up to some tunes and participate in the dance contest to showcase their talents and win some prizes — but mainly, they won over our hearts.

Overall, the kids got the material they needed to be prepared for the new school year, whether it be with their school supplies or a boost in their confidence. The message was clear because they transformed from cheerful kids to gracious and delighted students geared up for the classroom.

Even though the event was small, it was created by people with big hearts, and thus really made a lasting impression on the children. I can even see some becoming a Kid Millionaire themselves in the near future!

For more photos, click here.

Cash in on fash-in

2010-08-16T00:21:00.000-07:00

I heard alotta Girls.

Embellishments to embezzle.

I wood buy.

Hand-dyed, RIP

Today I took a 5AM jog in desperation of curing a sleepless night. Too late, because I found myself driving to WeHo by 8:45AM. I already sweat my balls off while standing, so I pretty much died today while setting up and packing up all my merch and equipment by myself in the sun-kissing-and-raping rays. As a first-time and last minute seller at Space 15 twenty, I didn't make as much as I wanted, but I made great pals and potential customers for the seven hours spent there. Never depend on anyone, only Depends. In order to fill my bank account, my melted self proceeded to Wasteland and made the most sales ever at $109.20! Thank you buddy, who looks like a milder John Galliano.

A few happy customers.

Mockery, tar and feather ye!

2010-07-26T21:27:00.001-07:00

Adam Weiss is the PIC in the pic

K-the-i??? shrieked, "Hey, it's you!" and pointed at me like I'm T-M-Z

Hurrah Sirah, the birthday girl

Check out the hooded chick's eyeball, hubba hubba!

L.A. is so dangerous that Villaraigosa had bunkers constructed

Some people will never get the concept because it takes more than just understanding at times. Before these people's minds can even process a single thought, their thick faces and sordid tongues will present nothing but critical and dysfunctional output. Sorry, this isn't equivalent to critical acclaim; it's being a pretentious have-not who denies his origins of chimp-pansy. (I should ground myself and stop uddering these puns.) In general, some people are born to be instantly part of the general public, and sadly they're always in the way like Waldo's groupies.

It's up to you weed out the dullards from the enriched, unless you accept everything with open arms because you're so above it all!

With that being said, Hipsters Who Love Hip Hop is in no way, self-destructive like its name because it's such an intimate and interactive event. I went for the first time and was welcomed with nothing but what the Jewish like to call kosher.

I remember reading these names and painstakingly laughing: Dr. Dreidel, Jerusalem Da Damaja, Ko$ha, Jewpac.

To me death is not a fearful thing. It's living that's treacherous.

2010-07-20T22:55:00.000-07:00

Cults (and new expansion) held their very first L.A. performance at the 6th St Warehouse last Sunday. "Go Outside" was the perfect remedy for my agoraphobic relapse, since I usually end up going to McDonald's or somewhere else instead. The comely venue didn't hurt my feelings either because of the sex, drugs, and rock n' roll artwork. I learned a great lesson at the end of the night because not only do all bald men and beanie men look alike, but long-haired friends do, too! No.

P.S. I haven't posted in the longest, but the first photo is from Breakfest.

ABCDEDC

2010-06-28T21:03:00.001-07:00

The rave scene is absolutely kitsch, but I absolutely love free stuff. EDC was a bit crazy; a God-sent all access pass, all you can drink, and being an adopted kidnap victim. I'm not sure if I'm ready to release my article yet (seeing that I, myself, just got released..kidding..not), but here's a photo. If you were rolling, then I was probably throwing turkey sandwiches at you. I don't care if you're vegan. It's not a Jesus allusion by the way!

Asia: Macao (pt. 6)

2010-06-28T20:14:00.000-07:00

There are no Macaws in Macau, but only the Chinese and the Portuguese.

Kun Iam and therapy make miracles happen

They must be best buds

I couldn't get a panoramic view

A family that stays together

Todd Bridges before his addiction

Local tourists

Pray'r

Halloween Jews

Asia: Va a China (pt. 5)

2010-06-28T00:17:00.000-07:00

Shenzhen, China. The image that really struck me was when we drove next to a van that harbored poor farmers who came to the city in hopes of more opportunities (to make a living). The man's gaze brought me to tears. I hope there is hope for them, but fat chance! Fat chan, lucky chan. Laki tsan!

China + India = world domination

This is a signal to show Chairman Mao how much I love China

This is a testament to how maneuverably savvy Asians are, pt. 4

Wind and hair everywhere

It's really not a cigarette, otherwise I'd be decapitated

Loosey goosey

The remake of Mulan

When in Tibet, do as the Tibetians do

Even their domesticated animals are a bit chinky

Wrong calculations man. At this rate, only your head will fly off.

Model home

Big tomatoes

Not lady boys

Man trees

Major lazer

Sunkissed

In case of a conflagration bigger than Godzilla and King Kong and Donkey Kong

Mr. Blue Sky

I should submit this to National Geographic Magazine for them to snub me

A testament to how maneuverably savvy Asians are, pt. 5

Asia: Hong Kong in a phooey

2010-06-27T23:41:00.000-07:00

Hong Kong has 37 more years until China takes over. They are scared shitless to say the least.

They can't have too many Chinatowns in Asia

Conch

Bipolar bears

Floating restaurant

Discovering Asia

Dogs just like to smell other dog's butts

This clown is just enjoying himself

SL//\\SH / McLuvin?

Asia: Malaysia

2010-06-27T23:07:00.000-07:00

I had too many doppelgängers in Malaysia. This place is a melting pot of Asians, too though.

A testament to how maneuverable savvy Asians are pt. 3

Melacca's oldest temple

On guard

It's a facade

Robots in disguise

Batu Cave

This primate chased after me after I tried to take its banana peel

Coo coo cachoo!

Resorts World Genting

Legends of the hidden temple

Chop suey

All hail

Mushrooms

The motorcycle diaries

Petron(as) Towers

Asia: Singapura

2010-06-22T17:25:00.000-07:00

This country clogged my pores, so this is exactly what I had to do: singha. Joke lang. What a fine country. Next up: Malaysia

Can you be the savior and destroy the enemy fleet?

B.O.

That is one big boat!

What a squirter!

3.14

Asia: Thailand

2010-06-22T12:40:00.000-07:00

In Thailand I got to see King Rama XI posing in every poster in every street corner, trannies breast-choking male audience members, elephants massaging participants' peanuts, lesbians occupying ambiguously labeled restrooms, and so many other beautiful sites. I'll post Singapore photos some other time.. and the rest.

Sad to say my first purchase was not from a lady boy service house

Burt Reynolds has Asian flavors

Who really was the main attraction here, Bam Bam?

Take that Juergen Teller!

Uh, where's your right fibula?

Excursion

Tuk-tuk-tuk

Tiffany's & Co.

Italian chandelier

Furama

Because diving boards just won't finish you off

My people of Asia.. travel-size, I tell you

Lady boy

Even wood get lady boy transplants

Peanut's breath

The funniest tour guide ever!

His pose kills (Pacman)

Courtesy of The Red Shirts

View from Biyoke

Children pear

Child labour

Golden

Two demons and a monkey

Frozen pops

A testament to how maneuverably savvy Asians are (pt. 1/5)

Bridget

Terminally ill in the mind

Looking at my 81st birthday, everyday this body goes to waste

2010-06-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

Attention all! I just found the courage to admit that I cannot get enough of clothes. Yes, I am a shopping addict, hear me roar. On autopilot mode, I swerve to the left and follow the tan-pink-blue-green-yellow tag sale road to the thrift store a few times a week. My only pilgrimage is to Melrose at least once a week just because. If I try to stop myself, I'll end up at Trader Joe's preparing my body for hibernation. Anyways, here are a few of last week's buys:

Clogging up the water

Fishing for Marc

Vintage Dior

LRD

Vintage Bill Blass

Raven Symone moment

Vintage Peter Nygård for Saks Fifth Avenue

Don't spit into the well - you might drink from it later

2010-05-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

Monday night had just as long a waiting period as the 3.5 hour shower lines at Coachella because Halloween Swim Team didn't play until midnight. My lonesome self ended up coincidentally seeing musician MN, though.

Synchronizing paths at Synchronicity Space?

HST was hilarious. So their drummer is locked up in Utah for possession of trees, and when the cops dropped by because of noise complaints, Dustin said something to the extent of, "The guy you're looking for is already in jail!"

Always passing, the stream of life, which in the stream of life we trace is dearer than them all.

2010-04-22T18:49:00.000-07:00

In no way can the whole concept of Coachella cannot be exposed through a few photos.

Sidewalk scenes and black limousines

2010-04-04T15:44:00.000-07:00

Holy Sunday, God just sent in a 6.9 magnitude earthquake to top off my controversial spring break. I already thought that being two cents down for the $269 tixxx was a shocker, but now that I've compared both numbers, I see the repetition of the number 69. It's a sign. I know why the caged birds sing! R.I.P.

Nothing is more evident than that Nature hates Mind

2010-03-13T18:18:00.000-08:00

It's just as tragic as the tale of Lennie and George when it's the real Deadmau5. It's a fucking bodiless maws, yawl.

Take care, TCB (DM)

2010-03-11T21:23:00.001-08:00

Cubtrina on DM:

In case you missed it, yesterday was International Women's Day! Though female artists are underrepresented at Dim Mak, Steve tackles the issue with his long hair don't care attitude. In addition, the PiC of Dim Mak occasionally blast the speakers out to The xx, so take that y chromosome!

And in other news, a bunch of men, a few women, and a baby gathered in Venice Beach during British filmmaker Philip Bloom's Great HD-DSLR Meetup on Sunday to discuss their sharpshooting weapons. Here's a video filmed and edited by a different Luke:

Read on:

Noise Nomads and me levitating on the ground

2010-01-13T21:35:00.000-08:00

The Wiltern, Los Angeles, Calif.

So I guess the stars rearranged and aligned themselves to everyone's availability, Hollywood. Good thing your wrist broke. Otherwise, I would have never been able to attend a Sonic Youth show.

The most beautiful colors chase the sun

2010-01-04T00:15:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that I just tuned in to hipster Shaman Durek's wise words. Worse, I can't believe that our beliefs and consciousness are so in sync. Take that 2012! Anyways, the new decade has left me with more surprises than ever. For one thing, I now have a hummingbird with a busted wing, and it resembles Pocahontas' feathered friend, Flint. Take that Avatar!

Time takes its toll

2009-12-29T00:41:00.000-08:00

2009

When looking back at my life in 2009, I feel a la Lester Burnham (American Beauty), but slightly less peeved and more alive than ever. If only some things didn't cancel out other events, than this year would have reigned supreme among the rest. But you know, some things just have to be changed.

It's like crumpling up a piece of paper with ideas that just didn't cut it. Oh, then badly missing the wastebasket. No one can just press reset and hope that everything will start over. And no, I'm not talking about a Y2k bug or anything. Like the piece of trash, unfavorable memories remain, sort of like rollover minutes. On the other hand, I technically wouldn't have much experience with rollover minutes because I never answer my calls. I should, though. That's one resolution for me, as well as these:

Weed out real buddies. You are my best fiend.

Don't apologize so much. Sorry, but I'm not going to be sorry '10.

Throw everything away. All the baggage in my life, bad trip.

Have a sleeping pattern. So I won't be mistaken for Anne Frank.

Don't be fluent in sarcasm. Even though it wards off all the evil.

Attain more knowledge. Obtain more knowledge.

Travel more. Customs, not the culture, but the airport hassle.

Stop bad habits. I've been saying The Pledge of Allegiance while picking my lips, since five.

Live in the moment, still. Carpe diem, me ineptum.

Be healthy. Detox.

Smashed, smashing.

2009-12-20T12:09:00.001-08:00

Echo Park, Los Angeles, Calif.

The 5^th annual LA Record Xmas party was a massive ball that turned out positive (drug test) results. Whether one be a dirty, young hipster or dirty-old-bones opportunist, the feeling of being a big kid trapped in a Bedrock Rehearsal labyrinth was nothing short of amazing for most. Well-wishers sat on Santa's chicken thighs and passed on the secret code in order to receive alt gifts. Some satisfied their cravings with I Can't Believe It's Pot Butter treats, while some stood in line for Jaguar Spirits Tequila or Hit + Run screen printed shirts--all free. For me, I got to stay semi-put at the pop up store, while taking a whiff of fumes in the hot box, courtesy of our neighbros from Burger Records. That means that I missed out on all of the musical acts, besides The Soft Pack performance of “Extinction.” I don't think I missed out on all the free goodies, though. Pretty smashing.

Huff and puff

2009-11-11T23:11:00.000-08:00

Gala Knörr *

Circus Freaks, hookerplz@

2009-10-28T15:33:00.000-07:00

Costa Mesa, OC/L.A.

Thursday's MOOD at South Coast Plaza was a block party in the least ghetto fashion. I basically missed all events over the weekend, and heck, I'm probably missing some right now. So disorganized. On a side note: Editor's going to kick my ass. Monday was another one of those choose your own adventure nights, minus the GPS. No direction. I had difficulties keeping my cool, and I haven't been this stressed since that one time in fourth grade, hahah. Once we got into the venue, the wrist bands made up for everything, though. We Are the World, MEN, and Gossip. Amen.

I've got it, Alien Gonzalez!

2009-10-18T13:05:00.000-07:00

Falcon never landed, Yo La Tengo got it, and the Green Lantern is set. CGI is not for me.

No, no Winona syndrome

2009-10-13T22:54:00.000-07:00

The Pleasure of Being Robbed is co-written by Eleonore Hendricks, who pretty much stole the spotlight as the ping pong slaying, reckless driving, Winona Ryden queen. I love free stuff, but I'm no five finger discounter. However, whatever Elenore's philosophy may be, also works for me.

Disclaimer: The cubs come in at the closing scene.

Ron Jeremy Scott

2009-10-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

Last summer, I found this JS at an ukay-ukay (thrift store) in Cubao, Philippines. It's so B.C. compared to the Jeremy Scott x Longchamp Pliage bags from Fall/Winter 2009, but ₱150 sure beats $249. Notice how I'm comparing a dress shirt with a bag?

Biggie Smalls

2009-09-25T17:15:00.000-07:00

It's the circle of life, yawl. My cycle has ended, so it's time for me to pass on the torch. After this evening's ceremony, I became a big sis!