Roll on...November - it's 007 time

Not a world exclusive, but definitely a sneaky peek. "Quantum of Solace" is a daft name, but Craig is the new Bond we're lovin'!

Jay Z headlines Glastonbury?!

To me, summer in the UK means lots of beautifully long weekends...and music festivals.

The biggest one and most loved has to be Glastonbury, only a hop skip and jump from Bristol.

Sat in my LA living room I revelled in the vibes by listening to Radio 1 online...Zane Low did a warm-up show (in his Aussie accent), but it's a shame that Westwood was all over the show, but whatya expect with Jay Z heading the stage! It's an odd choice...he's not at his career pinnacle (come on, his last gig was CEO of Def Jam) and Glastonbury's main isn't really a entertaining with a DJ as a backing band. No. I vote no!

Zane Low was definitely a fan as he rocked the Jay Z "billionaire" remix of Lil Wayne (see it 3 mins, 30 secs in the second video below). One million copies of that tune sold in its first week?! Waaaah! Ok...It's hot on the radio, but anyone remember the lame live performance Jay Z put in doing his "Girls, Girls, Girls" tune at some awards show? Wack!

But what did the critics say? PA says "Rapper stole show at Glastonbury"!?

What do you say? Here are a couple of video clips fresh off the BBC airwaves.





My last word Jay Z's a smart fellow as you can see in this interview (ignore Westwood ;) he's a dumb-ass). But, if only he'd taken singing lessons that opening Oasis diss would've been killer! May be he was too busy counting his billions!

Dance like no one's watching! Part II

AKA Matt Harding is my hero! Here's a video that Kirstin sent me. She said it would make me smile. She didn't say it might change my life. This video is so uplifting that it might just make a difference! Enjoy.



To name some of my favorite moments: Papa New Guinea 2 mins, 11 secs. India 2 mins, 35 secs. Airspace 3 mins, 50 secs.

If you want to know how this video got conceived then watch this video. It comes in three parts. This is the first. You'll be able to click to the other parts from here.

It's a Stag thang...

We had an amazing trip up north to celebrate Ja's bachelor party with the lads. Chris came over with Paolo and 11 of us started the long weekend in Sacramento on the river. Here are a few animated pictures of the action...I can almost feel the rush and roars of the rapids!

Old skool tribute...

I love this tune...old skool tribute from Missy Elliot...I thought she fell off, but she still has it. Check out the cameos of Rakim...is that Flav or just an impersonator?

And I love Mari's dancing...found her out scrolling through Tuff Tim Twist's (Rock Steady Crew UK) rolodex on MySpace! ;)

Dance like no one's watching, Part I

So my sister is off to (gay) Paris this month. Yes, I've been up checking out Colette, but instead of a shopping list (after all, the Fafi Coachella t-shirt was sold out) I found the "Dance Series" of videos. They are just fabulous! Remember, Colette brought the Thriller dance lesson to LA last year?

I found a few vids on YouTube for your viewing pleasure. Bon appetit! Show no shame! Dance like no one's watching!

Weeeestsiiide (fo'real)

When friends come to town is when you really get to explore your city! And this weekend was no different when Raychel visited from New York.

Baywatch On Saturday we ventured over to Santa Monica beach...and, believe it or not, it's the first time I've gone and just sat on the beach before. All that sea air, sun and rolling waves melt away any urban ills and lightens your mood. Just watching the beach revellers (volleyball, surfers, sunbathers) makes you shed calories and muscles tone themselves! Hahaa.

Roman holiday Sue organized a trip for us all to go to Malibu to visit the Getty Villa on Sunday...very cool even if crazy tourists (like us) get in the way of perfect photo moments! This wonderful location 15 minutes north from Santa Monica used to be John Paul Getty's home before he transformed it into a public museum. There's a Roman theme throughout the property and even comes complete with an amphitheater for live performances. Not involving lions! ;)

Two pints of milk please your Majesty!

I read that the accountants have calculated (aka justified) the cost of the Monarchy to the taxpayer is 66p per person or nicely presented as "less than the price of two pints of milk" or "less than an MP3 download!"

Sir Alan Reid, Keeper of the Privy Purse, said that "continuous attention to obtaining value for money" where possible. The fact is that the budget rose by 5% last year to £40 million. It's not the amount that's an eye-opener, but that it's risen by so much. The rising expense is due to travel, Queen's Civil List official duties and the cost of maintaining the royal palaces which bulked up the expenses by £2 million!

Sell some tickets I say begin to open up some of those palaces and start charging for tourist visits! Didn't that happen to fund the rebuild of Windsor Castle after the fire? How else is the £15 million bill per year for at least the next three years gonna be paid? I also say trim Sir Alan's £187,000 salary! That's huge! $380,000 for a civil servant job!

Private London

There was a interesting story in Urban Junkies blog all about private members clubs - from the old school to the newly established ones in London.

I remember Vanessa mentioning Shoreditch House to me on her last visit to LA. It sounded like a bad joke...but no, it's the eastside version of Soho House?! And yes, it does have a rooftop pool, just like the one in New York! Lordy...

I've been to the Reform Club back in the day, but as UJ point out there are tons of other options now for your own bit of tranquility or den of iniquity in central London. For me, I think I'd still just want a key to The Hospital!!

Athenæum Club - 107 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5ER.
Reform Club - 104 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5E
The East Room - 2a Tabernacle Street, EC2A 4LU
Shoreditch House - Ebor Street, Shoreditch, E1 6AW
Jacaranda Tree - 144 Upper Street, Islington N1 1QY

All roads lead to LA's downtown: Upper Playground, The Last Laugh

I'm been distracted, but I've still be out and about so now's the time to update my digital diary.

It's all about downtown as San Francisco and east LA have opened half a block (6th Street and Los Angeles) of stores on the edge of skidrow!

Empire Strikes Back Upper Playground's empire has come to the Los Angeles Metro area...that's five spots including London. Expect more from these clued up retail taste-makers. And they've brought their artists with them too. Remember UP's clothing label brought us the Fifty24 Gallery? Well, some extra retail flavor has come through a collaboration between Mr. Cartoon's Tattoo Shop and Estevan Oriol's photography, called The Last Laugh, following on from the clown imaginary used heavily by Mr. Cartoon.

Represent I went down to check out what was happening. Parked outside the stores were a few classic cars and some pretty under-dressed Latina hotties. What's up with that? I love the pic of the gal with the LAPD...LA's finest at work, baby! Mr Cartoon told me I can get on the list now for a tattoo...imagine that! Shiiiite!