YOU LOOK LIKE A JEWISH CHIA PET...

This was the last episode we shot in Los Angeles. Fitting, because it's the one episode where the whole cast (well, minus Jon Glaser) is present. It was great to have Aubrey back. With Parks and Rec and everything else she's doing now it's doubtful that she'll be in any more episodes. She'll definitely be missed.

The episode came out a little bit more serious than I expected, but the outtakes from this shoot are hilarious. I'm glad "Jewish chia pet" and "Who the hell is Skip Bayless?" made the cut. Schwartz, Becker, Mayne and Plaza at their comedic best.

BIG BLUE WHALE POST!

A few finds this week that are right up my alley:

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First, my former co-worker Jude tweeted about National Geographic's Big Blue Exhibition. Nat Geo is bringing a life sized replica of a baby blue whale to Manila!



Here are the deets:

Glorietta 5 - November 17 to 26, 2009
Trinoma - November28 to December 11, 2009
Alabang Town Center - January 2 to 17, 2010
Market Market - January 18 to Feburary 2, 2010
Greenbelt - February 3 to 17, 2010

If you're in Manila, please do stop by!

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Second, I learned about Whale Tails via Lynn Chen's food blog, The Actors Diet. They're tortilla chips in the shape of - you guessed it - whale tails!


Lynn got some freebies and she says they taste delicious. Plus, they're made with all-natural ingredients. (I am intrigued by Alaea Hawaiian Sea Salt...)

But the best thing about Whale Tails for me is that a portion of their profits helps fund whale research, education and preservation. *fist bump* to the makers, Ric and Rick.

Unfortunately, Whale Tails aren't available yet in my area but online orders can be made. The shipping is a little pricey for chips though. But if it keeps my cetacean buddies happy, so be it.

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Last but not the least, I stumbled upon an awesome band called Freelance Whales. The Queens-based group performs around NYC (even at subway stops!) and just set off on a US tour with Fanfarlo. I'm bummed that I just missed their farewell New York show (yesterday at Piano's) but they'll be back in December for a gig at Webster Hall.

Their sound is kind of folk-electro-pop. It's hard to pick out the best track from their debut Weathervanes but the song below is the one that got me hooked. Shades of Postal Service on this one.

Freelance Whales - Starring

KNOW BETTER, LEARN FASTER

"The album is named 'Know Better Learn Faster' because you can't. By the time you realize you should, it's too late. And I enjoy the predicament and the totally devastating, unfunny humor of that." - Thao Nguyen


While the rest of the city was busy watching a baseball game, I and those who knew better were at The Bowery for Thao With The Get Down Stay Down. The new album is so, so good. Dare I say even better than We Brave Bee Stings And All, which is saying a lot.

Thao With The Get Down Stay Down - Know Better, Learn Faster

P.S. This is the second time I've seen Thao live, but the first with her band The Get Down Stay Down. I must say, that Adam Thompson is a cutie ha.



P.P.S. Another reason I love this band - they perform with this on stage!

MAYNE STREET SEASON 3!

Mayne Street is back! L.A. was one of the funnest (is that a word..?) shoots I've ever worked on and I'm happy the episodes turned out well. Check out the Sports Guy Bill Simmons in the season premiere. (You don't see me, but I'm there at the top of the water slide cueing Jenn with 2 N's to go)

Also, tonight is NBA Opening Night! The Cavs and the Celts are on TNT as we speak. LA vs LA is up next.

Help me pay the bills: Go watch Mayne Street, watch the NBA!

TWIN OF MYSELF

Still on the fence about Black Moth Super Rainbow's Eating Us, released earlier this year. It's not a bad album, just a little blah. The lone bright spot for me - track #3, Twin of Myself, which I've had on repeat for the last few days. It's the kind of song one would smoke up to, if one were so inclined. (I'm just sayin'...) Me dig very much.

For a less psychedelic, more upbeat version, check out the remix by The Go! Team.

Black Moth Super Rainbow - Twin of Myself
Black Moth Super Rainbow - Twin of Myself (The Go! Team Remix)

MIGHTY MERCURY!

In the words of Geno Auriemma, "We have Diana, and you don't." Mercury win, Mercury win!

That was by far one of the best finals series I've seen. I can't hate on the Fever - I can't help but respect a team that plays defense like there's no tomorrow (no doubt, best D Taurasi has ever faced in her career) then turns up the offense when it matters most. Briann January played nothing like a rookie, Ebony Hoffman put up MVP numbers, Katie Douglas knocked down clutch shot after clutch shot and Tamika Catchings did pretty much everything on the floor. Much respect.

But the Mercury just had too much firepower, and well, had Taurasi. Another title in the bag.