Filed under: Feature | Tags: 2009, California, Castro, Downtown Los Angeles, LA, Los Angeles, Mariachi Square, New York City, NYC, San Francisco, Santa, Santacon, Santarchy, SF, United States, Washington Square Park
SANTACON: DON’T MAKE SANTA MESS YOU UP
Downtown Los Angeles
Photo Credit: Daily Marauder
Over the weekend, the Santas converged, ready to get their drink on. Santacon began in 1994 in San Francisco when a group of 30 Santa’s converged on downtown SF and caused a bit of Kris Kringle mayhem. That spontaneous coordination of Santa fun has progressed into an international phenomenon. Saturday, Santacon dropped in on NYC, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The crowd descended on a Santa-infused pub crawl bringing chaos and fun in its wake. Did you happen to catch the red and white tide? If so, here’s a few pics to catch you up on the fun you missed.
Los Angeles
Mariachi Square, Los Angeles “Sado Masachristmas”
Photo Credit: Daily Marauder
We were in attendance on this one and it was truly an interesting array of creative holiday spirit. Locations were communicated either through traditional means (shouting) or through more digital means (Twitter). As this is a driving town, I was relieved to find that the flask-bearing crowd took the subway from location to location.
And who knew Santa had beef? In this shot, clowns show up to protest Santa’s progression through the streets. And yes, it rains in LA.
La Perla Los Angeles
Photo Credit: Daily Marauder
Here the singing Santas take over the subway. Yup, I didn’t know LA had one either…
New York City
Washington Square Park, NYC
Photo Credit: Sdavisk
San Francisco
Castro, San Francisco
Photo Credit: Jon Bauer
For more information on Santacon coming to a city near you, check out this calendar of events. Happy Holidays from one Santa to another.
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Filed under: Feature | Tags: Bike, Bike Commuting, Biking, Daily Marauder, Downtown Los Angeles, LA, MacBook, Recreation, Road, West Hollywood, West Hollywood California, Wilshire Boulevard
LA STREET WARS: COMMUTING VIA BIKE PART 2
110 Freeway Downtown LA
At the end of October, after being in LA for about a month, I took to the LA streets for my maiden voyage from my house in West Hollywood to Daily Marauder offices downtown. As exhilarating as the ride was, a former shoulder injury flared up from the 26 miles I rode with my MacBook Pro baring down on my left side via messenger bag. Not smart.
For this trip, I borrowed a Chrome backpack from Intelligentsia barista master, Christopher “Nicely” Alameda. Computer. Check. Bike. Check. Ready to roll.
I took to the streets a bit earlier this time around at around 8AM armed with a new route: Wilshire Boulevard.
The Road
This route proved to be a much better option as compared to my first attempt down Venice Boulevard. Wilshire is 3 lanes for most of the trip and predominantly, cars gave me my own lane. Wilshire is super choppy, clearly in need of repaving, and not for the skittish rider.
Daily Marauder Offices, Downtown LA (note Urtth coffee cup in bottle holder)
There’s nothing like being out on the open road commuting to work in the morning. You probably don’t realize the world you miss by commuting via subway, train or automobile. I see it all. I see that runner make a racist comment to the guy waiting for the bus. I see skid row up close and personal. I see the guy proudly rocking his Dodgers hat as he crosses the street with the paper under his arm. If you want to know what our US cities are really like, take a ride through one. You’ll be intrigued by what you discover.
Distance: 22 miles roundtrip
Time: 1 hour and change
Hills: Much less than the Venice Boulevard route and much less steep.
Challenges: Wilshire is super choppy in many areas forcing the rider to ride in the middle or left side of the lane. Be aware of car doors in areas where Wilshire becomes two lanes. Also, unless you’re with a group, I recommend staying off Wilshire at night.
NYC
Bike Commuting in NYC:
Bike Commuting in LA:
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Filed under: Feature | Tags: Bicycle, Bike, Biking, Brooklyn, Commute, Cycling, Downtown Los Angeles, Helen's Cycles, Los Angeles, New York City
NYC VS. LA: COMMUTING VIA BIKE
Downtown LA
Photo Credit: the bocket
For the past 2 years, I’ve fancied myself a biker. Not simply one of those Spandex-wearing weekend riders but someone who commuted to her midtown office from the East Village frequently. Upon moving from NYC to LA, I thought my cycling would surely increase in intensity. After searching tirelessly for a new bike after mine was stolen in Brooklyn, I picked up some new wheels from Monty at Helen’s Cycles in Santa Monica.
My Baby at the Starting Point/ West Hollywood, CA (I can finally rock a spoke card)
After a few weekend rides from Manhattan Beach to Palos Verdes, I thought I was ready to try the commute from my home in West Hollywood to Daily Marauder’s office downtown LA.
The Road
After procrastinating for far too long, I left my house at approximately 9:45AM. I took the diagonal down to Venice Boulevard along San Vicente. The wide road and easy traffic left me feeling over-confident. The computer on my back in my messenger bag started to ping my former shoulder injury almost immediately. Venice Boulevard in sight, I made the left and continued on ‘glee’-ful that I would finally have a bike lane. I did, for perhaps 2 lights. Le sigh.
Then, it was bike lane-free for the remaining 7 miles downtown. The traffic was light which made things fear-free.
Downtown LA
After arriving at work, I picked up the prerequisite coffee and quiche and carried my bike up the 4 flights of stairs to our office. I was exhausted and what’s more, at around 5PM, I would have to do it all again. Speaking of which, the ride home was by far scarier darting in between cars and buses pretending to be a bad ass while I tried to keep from peeing in my pants.
Distance: 26 miles roundtrip
Time: 2 hours and change
Hills: YES. OK…maybe I’m exaggerating here but I’m used to FLAT.
Pride: You can suck it LA. I’ll be back out there next Monday. This time, I think a back pack is in order.
NYC vs. LA
A Statement on the MTA/ Taken at 42nd Street/6th Avenue
In NYC, my morning commute would only consist of 3 miles each way. I would wear my cute dress and flip flops and ride along with the bike messengers to prove you can fashionably pass on the left. I would breeze into HBO feeling hardly challenged and park my bike in bike parking in the basement. The bike messengers and mail people in the building thought my daily commutes were pretty hysterical, especially as I suited up in my heels whipping out my BlackBerry as I motored for the elevator. Bike Barbie in. Professional Barbie out.
In LA, I bike 13 miles to work sneakers and Lululemon wicking fabric in tow. On the eastside, I arrived at work with 2 computers staring back at me. In LA, my MacBook Pro travels on my back. NYC doesn’t do hills unless you count the approach to the George Washington Bridge which really only applies to weekend rides for most people. LA’s got hills boy…HILLS. The last thing you want to see after 12 miles home from work is a wall of hill staring back at you.
Let’s talk cars for a second. Yes, NYC drivers are mean, cut in and out of traffic and will swear at you on a daily basis.
But here’s the difference: at least they know you’re THERE.
LA drivers hardly seem to be paying any attention at all trying to get in that text while looking for the closest Coffee Bean. Wake up y’all! Between NYC and LA, far too many of my friends have been hit by cars. A friend was recently hit in Brooklyn and more than twelve weeks later is still walking with a boot. Hell, I’ve been hit by a cab before. Be careful out there. I know some bikers can be assholes. I’ve seen them and ridden with them. They drive me nutty. Keep in mind; they are the few. Most of us are cool people who just want an alternative means to work outside the 4 wheels and gas tank (not to exclude you hybrids out there). So, in whatever city you live, go get your bike commute on and drop me a note and let me know how it goes.
Bike Commuting in NYC:
Bike Commuting in LA:
Filed under: ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA | Tags: Columbia Pictures, comScore, Documentary film, Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Michael Jackson, Twitter, United States
ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
On Wednesday, Columbia Pictures is releasing Michael Jackson’s documentary “This Is It” in theaters across the world.Before the film hits theaters though, it will make its worldwide premiere at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles today. The red carpet for the premiere will be live streamed via webcastacross the world, starting at 4:30 PM PDT. (Mashable10/26)
Twitter’s growth these days seems to be coming from abroad. ComScore data shows a 6.7 percent jump from August to September in worldwide vistors to 58.4 million (which translates to 949 percent increase from a year ago). The 20.9 million visitors from the U.S., in contrast, has remained flat since June. (Techcrunch10/26)
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