Recently I found myself driving down Sunset Boulevard shocked at the images hovering above me. Normally I try to avert my eyes as the Sunset skyline is littered with half naked models attempting to sell me things that I can’t afford or convince me to look a way that I’ll never look. But this time, something different happened: towering above me was Amy Poehler as her “Parks and Recreation” alter-ego Leslie Knope. A little further down, stopped at a red light, I noticed Amy Schumer gazing down from on high in a billboard for her show “Inside Amy Schumer.” Further west was Julia Louis-Dreyfus commanding her fleet in an ad for the latest season of “Veep.” It appeared that women, really, strong and funny women, had taken over the Sunset Strip.
And this inspired a new segment you’ll see here on THEPOPFIX: Love Letters. Taking advantage of #WCW, we’ve decided to tell the women in our lives who have influenced, inspired and empowered us how much they mean. We encourage you to do the same! Make your own Love Letters and share them with us! Shoot videos on your phones or webcams or write them down and send them off. We want you all to spread some love. It couldn’t hurt!
I wrote my Love Letter to Amy Poehler. From her sense of humor to the projects she produces to Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, she is an inspiration to me in every way. I hope you enjoy!
The girls in a cluster, like little predators hunting for their prey. If the man is moving, drinking alcohol, warm-blooded and is somewhat good-looking, game over for that dude. Kristin Mineo explains on this week’s Soapbox!
2. All a USC degree means is that you’ve tried every thing on the Del Taco menu and didn’t remember it the next day. Fight on!
3. If his opening line is “I’m a producer,” RUN.
4. Your real age – 5 years = Your Hollywood age.
5. You can tell how long a girl’s been in LA just by her sexpectations:
“I’m gonna fuck a celebrity.” – girl who’s been in LA for 1 week
“I’m gonna fuck a rich guy.” – girl who’s been in LA for 2 weeks
“I’m gonna fuck a reality star.” – girl who’s been in LA for 3 weeks
“I’m gonna fuck THAT guy.” – girl who’s been in LA for 1 month
6. If you’re typecasting your bridesmaids, you’ve been in LA too long.
7. If you don’t know what your best side is, you’re too dumb to be an actor.
8. Stay away from anyone who says “YOLO.” They have Chlamydia.
9. You can tell your agent wants you to lose weight based on the breakdowns you’re getting submitted for. “THINK BRIT SPEARS, NOT IN HER PRIME” is a pretty good indication…
10. The only girls naïve enough to think the gay bars are safe for a girl’s-night-out are the girls who have never been spent a night getting drunk with a “new BFF” that ended in a conversation that starts with, “You’re gonna hate me, but…”
11. Female performance anxiety is a real thing. And it happens when 9 girls go into a single-stall bathroom at the same time.
12. Men in this town have perfected the art of convincing you to sleep with them, followed by making you hate them just enough so that you’ll want to do it again. Before you get mad at him, just remember: That does not make him an asshole. That makes him a genius.
13. People will give you jobs if you can act like you’re good at Twitter.
14. If your trainer has the balls to suggest that the best part of your day should be working out, you are 100% allowed to laugh. Out loud.
15. Bar conversations can go from “I help the homeless” to “I drive a Porsche” in about 5.67 seconds.
16. This city is full of transients, and I’m not just talking about the homeless people.
17. If someone is singing on the street at 5 AM, call the cops. Then find out where they’re getting their drugs, coffee, and/or boyfriends.
18. If people say your celebrity look-a-like is Fergie: lay off the drugs, reassess your life, repeat.
19. Haircuts can actually cost 300 dollars. Ask.
20. All’s fair in love and war. Until he calls you his “girlfriend.”
21. Every LA girl has that one friend who tells her everything she does, says, wears, and thinks is okay, no matter how heinous. Don’t be that friend.
22. Getting waxed really isn’t as bad as they say…
23. Girls that say they don’t like sweets are liars. I don’t care if you’re a health freak. You’d have to be a scientist to change that kind of female DNA.
24. Target has everything you need. Don’t even come to this city without knowing where one is.
25. Go ahead, walk to Starbucks looking like shit. But that’s for sure going to be the day you run into Ryan Gosling.
26. Get used to text messages as a primary form of communication.
27. A juicing habit will drain your bank account faster than a drug habit.
28. A lot of people in LA have 4 jobs. A lot of those people also think “part-time stylist” “part-time assistant” and “mystery shopper” count as jobs.
29. You’re not really famous until you’re Octomom famous.
30. If you think you’re going to meet your next boyfriend on the Westside, Godspeed.
The calendar launch party was hosted by Charlicien co-founders Felicia June, Alien Ramirez and Charlene Rose at Steven’s Steakhouse, one of the most popular salsa destinations in Los Angeles. The night began with the multi-talented ladies teaching salsa to newcomers and performing for them, later in the evening.
Here’s a sneak peek of the calendar, available through Charlicien.com
Image copyrighted to THE POP FIX 2009.
Wine tasting, waiter racing, crepe eating, oyster slurping and fire juggling were some of the highlights of the day, and we got it all on tape…well, most of it! Check it out, here!
Joyeux 14 juillet!
During the ceremony a couple speakers alluded to this sad reality, including as Rep. Lee, who reminded the sea of fans that members of Congress “know the law” and Jackson is “innocent until proven guilty.” While those dark moments in Jackson’s career were not ignored during the celebration, at least for today, about a week after his death and amidst about 20,000 fans, Jackson was solely remembered as a pioneer: someone who championed for children’s causes and worldwide humanitarian aid, broke racial barriers and raised the music industry to new level. The well spoken Rev. Al Sharpton expressed this sentiment when he credited Jackson during his speech as having established a “comfort level” that paved the way for minorities, including President Obama.
Sharpton also perhaps best explained Jackson’s adversity when he addressed Jackson’s kids and said, “There was nothing strange about your daddy, it was strange what your daddy had to deal with.” Jackson’s daughter, Paris, responded with a standing ovation, which brought the rest of the Jackson family and the fans to their feet.
Besides the pause in the beginning, after Smokey Robinson read a tribute from Nelson Mandela and Diana Ross, the entire memorial had smooth transitions in between celebrity performances and a very respectful audience I must add. One of the smoothest memorial ceremonies I have ever seen, hands down. The anticipated rowdy crowds that LAPD had prepared thousands of officers to patrol never manifested. However, outside the Staples Center, 2,500 credentialed journalists practically barricaded the front end of the Center, waiting to bombard fans for sound bites.
I literally had goosebumps throughout the entire ceremony and especially during, in my opinion, the most memorable moment– when Paris clenched the microphone and said, “Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine,” The 11 year-old, unable to fight her tears, continued “And I just wanted to say I love him. So much.” This is one of the first times I heard of Jackson described as a father, erasing, at least temporarily, the images of Jackson dangling Blanket from a Berlin hotel balcony back in 2002.
The ceremony eluded to a feeling of closeness, transparency and apathy for M.J.’s life with fans chanting, “long live the King of Pop” who for some will be remembered most importantly as the “King of Music.”
PHOTO BLOG:
all photos credited to Vanessa Bezic for THE POP FIX 2009.
For more pictures, click here.
This weekend is an indie bonanza for Los Angeles citizenry lucky enough to acquire several hot tickets – among the big shows this weekend are legendary Americana rockers Wilco at the Fox Theater and experimental New Yorkers Grizzly Bear with two shows in the L.A. area. Unfortunately, all three shows have been declared sold-out, but THE POP FIX has plenty of back-ups that can more than hold their own on the stage.
Art Brut – Echo 06/19/09
DOORS OPEN @ 8:00PM
- Image via Myspace.com
With songs like the infectious “Formed A Band” and new single “Alcoholics Unanimous,” English fivesome Art Brut have made their name on making incisive, wildly entertaining indie-punk with tongue planted firmly in cheek. Touring in support of their third and latest album, Art Brut vs. Satan, the band hits the Echo this Friday to share their typically rambunctious tales of drinking, sex, drinking, records, public transportation, and some more drinking for good measure.
1822 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone: 213-413-8200
Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com and the Echo box office.
PJ Harvey & John Parish – The Wiltern 06/20/09
DOORS OPEN @ 8:00PM
- Image via Myspace.com
Over her almost two-decades-worth of recording and performing, British songstress Polly Jean Harvey has more than earned her fair share of accolades, including a Mercury Prize and multiple Grammy nominations. Even approaching that mythical age of 40, Harvey is still going strong with her latest effort A Woman A Man Walked By, a collaboration with friend and producer John Parish that the Boston Globe called “an unhinged record heavy on heartache and bristling with aggression.” Expect her to bring the blues-rock fire with Parish to the packed Wiltern this Saturday.
3790 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Phone: 213-380-5005
Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com and the Wiltern box office.
Chairlift – Detroit Bar 06/21/09
DOORS OPEN @ 8:00PM
- Image via Myspace.com
Probably best known for their band-breaking stint on Apple’s iPod Nano commercial last year with their single “Bruises,” many might be surprised to learn that the Brooklyn trio’s album, Does You Inspire You, actually received impressive critical acclaim last year and even showed up on multiple end-of-the-year lists. Wielding an array of whispery synths and guided by singer Caroline Polachek’s distinctive, pixie-ish vocals, the band heads down to the O.C. in support of Columbia’s recent reissue of DYIY.
843 W. 19th Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Phone: 949-642-0600
Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com and the Detroit Bar box office.