Dec 11

Photo-A-Day 2013: Week 47

Three arenas. One college basketball game. One NHL hockey game. One NBA basketball game. One rock show. Let’s look at the week of Nov. 18-24. For the full-size version of any image, just click on it!

18-NOV-2013: He's been dubbed "Uncle Lion" around the house and he's looking rather dapper here.

18-NOV-2013: He’s been dubbed “Uncle Lion” around the house and he’s looking rather dapper here.

19-NOV-2013: Still life with logo.

19-NOV-2013: Still life with logo.

20-NOV-2013: Interesting lines in this shot of window blinds and the building across the way.

20-NOV-2013: Interesting lines in this shot of window blinds and the building across the way.

21-NOV-2013: Faceoff. Kings vs. Devils.

21-NOV-2013: Faceoff. Kings vs. Devils.

22-NOV-2013: Lakers-Warriors ... from atop Staples Center.

22-NOV-2013: Lakers-Warriors … from atop Staples Center.

23-NOV-2013: Saturday morning coffee in rather representative mugs (via Instagram).

23-NOV-2013: Saturday morning coffee in rather representative mugs (via Instagram).

24-NOV-2013: Pearl Jam, as amazing as ever, at the L.A. Sports Arena (via Instagram).

24-NOV-2013: Pearl Jam, as amazing as ever, at the L.A. Sports Arena (via Instagram).

Apr 28

Photo-a-Day 2013: Week 16

As my friend JY likes to call my alter ego, “Event Guy” came out this week: trips to Dodger Stadium, Staples Center and the Empire Polo Club in Indio for the second weekend of Coachella 2013 played a big part in the days between April 15-21. Here are the week’s images!

15-APR-2013: Dodger Blue in full effect on the loge level during Jackie Robinson Night.

15-APR-2013: Dodger Blue in full effect on the loge level during Jackie Robinson Night.

16-APR-2013: Sprouts of cilantro from a small pot I'm tending on our apartment's window ledge.

16-APR-2013: Sprouts of cilantro from a small pot I’m tending on our apartment’s window ledge.

17-APR-2013: Not sure what was more surprising - how close we were sitting or that Dwight Howard made this free throw?

17-APR-2013: Not sure what was more surprising – how close we were sitting or that Dwight Howard made this free throw?

18-APR-2013: The best dive bar in the desert. It had been too long.

18-APR-2013: The best dive bar in the desert. It had been too long.

19-APR-2013: Mechanical snail Helix Poeticus joined a big crowd at the Outdoor Stage for the Divine Fits' set at Coachella.

19-APR-2013: Mechanical snail Helix Poeticus joined a big crowd at the Outdoor Stage for the Divine Fits’ set at Coachella.

20-APR-2013: The Dropkick Murphys' Al Barr leads a rapt crowd during the Boston stalwarts' emotional post-Marathon attack set at Coachella.

20-APR-2013: The Dropkick Murphys’ Al Barr leads a rapt crowd during the band’s emotional post-Boston-Marathon-attack set at Coachella.

21-APR-2013: Hazy sun, dusty winds and big crowds. Must be late afternoon at the Coachella main stage, at this point manned by Social Distortion.

21-APR-2013: Hazy sun, dusty winds and big crowds. Must be late afternoon at the Coachella main stage, at this point manned by Social Distortion.

Dec 07

Another Sign of Aging … But a Good Reason to Share Music!

I woke up to the news of the latest inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this morning. For years, now the Hall has been honoring some of my all time favorite musical acts, but today’s group of inductees (you can see them all here) definitely hit home. For the first time, three of the acts that were so honored are truly of, by and for my generation of music fans. And I am a big fan of all three.

I guess it makes sense. After all, 40 today means 15 in 1986: the year all of these groups first hit any kind of recognition. At the same time, two of the three call Los Angeles home (and the third lived and recorded in Los Angeles during one of their most fruitful periods, which also coincided with my college years).

The induction of the Beastie Boys, Guns ‘N Roses and the Red Hot Chili Peppers is definitely a clear sign of transition into a different generation for the RNRHOF. Here are two songs from each band: one representing a “favorite” among their hit songs and the other representing a “favorite” among their deeper “album cuts.” Enjoy! (And, if you’re a fan, too, share yours!)

Beastie Boys

Perhaps the greatest video of the MTV music era: Sabotage

THE best Beastie Boys song: Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun

Guns ‘N Roses

Guitar lessons available here: Sweet Child O’ Mine

Who knew murder could sound so catchy? Used to Love Her

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Two things – great treadmill song; mentions Pleaides (hello Fullerton High School): Can’t Stop

The greatest (only?) song about the Lakers’ greatest era, from some big fans: Magic Johnson