BIRTHDAYS, CARBON COPIES, AND GENERALIZATIONS
I recently had a birthday (So did half of my friends it seems. September and October in the 70’s and 80’s must’ve been very boring months).
A group of us that included some that recently had birthdays were recently sitting around having some beers and catching up. Somehow, the topic came around to what well known public figures we shared a birthday with.
One of them reminded me of the time we’d met Sofia Coppola randomly at a party and it turned out our birthdays were the same day (the topic came up because the party we were at took place a week before our birthdays), she had threatened to assume my identity so that she could be the age I’d be turning instead of hers (which is not old by any means).
I also have a friend who says she’s only friends with me because I share a birthday with George Lucas and another one says he is because I share a birthday with his musical hero David Byrne (I’m not sure what they think that might get them?). I’d never really paid attention to all of the people I share a birthday with (aside from people I know in real life, which there are quite a few of), while I might say that George Lucas and David Byrne are not bad company to keep (I’m not that into Star Wars, but definitely do love the Talking Heads and have respect for everything else Mr. Byrne has touched–I mean seriously, look at his body of work and he’s only a few years older than my parents) the other person that I was definitely ok with sharing a birthday that I knew of was B.C. Forbes (the founder of Forbes magazine).
One of our friends found a site via her phone that listed all of those people born on our birthdays and while of course there were too many to mention for each of us, some of the others that were born on my birth date included Ian Astbury (the Cult), Director Robert Zemeckis, Cate Blanchett, Tim Roth, C.C. DeVille (Poison), Raphael Saadiq, and many others I can’t recall (can you tell the person who was reading us the names is into music and film?)
Soon enough, everyone around us wanted to know who they shared birthdays with. We’d opened a can of worms for sure. If you ever want to make friends with a bunch of people in a bar, this is a good way to do so.
Out of all of the people I know in real life who share my birthday, I can’t really say that all of us are all that alike. I find all of them to be talented in one form or another, but I’m not really sure I’d say we’re all cut from the same cloth. Granted I’ve yet to know one who shared the exact same birth date and birth year as I do. Typically, they’ve always been older with the exception of one who is younger.
Speaking of sharing the same qualities and making generalizations. One of those friends that was having a drink with us had included a print-out of this in a birthday card she’d given me. She’d found it on the Cafe Astrology website.
If You Were Born Today, May 14:
“Creative to an extreme, you are also highly intelligent and possess strong business savvy. Many of your ideas are very marketable. Somewhat unconventional in thought, you quickly become bored with routine thinking. However, that is on a mental level. You can have a few stubborn habits yourself, and when your mind is made up, it can be difficult to steer you off course. Famous people born today: George Lucas, David Byrne, Dante, Cate Blanchett.”
I always find these generalizations amusing. Of course, this describes me to a T. Yep, me and the other thousands of people who share my birthday.
She insisted this really did describe me and proceeded to explain to me with not necessarily flattering examples why, which just made me laugh even more. I won’t include her examples, but I’ll do my own line-by-line breakdown of this generalized description.
“Creative to an extreme”
I am creative, yes this is true. I do constantly have to have some creative project going at all times, but I don’t know about the “extreme” part. I don’t ever wake-up and think “today I must do something creative or else” nor do I challenge anyone to any “creative duels.” What would qualify as “creative to an extreme.” Are those artists who do things like live in a glass box over Times Square (or whatever location) for days and call it an art installation “creative to an extreme?”
“You are also highly intelligent and possess strong business savvy.”
I don’t know about the highly intelligent part. I certainly don’t go around with a snifter full of Brandy à la every film made in the early 1900’s –swirling and sniffing all whilst spewing my thoughts on Modern Rationalism and quoting Descartes, nor do I sit around in an old-world style study smoking a pipe rambling about Nietzche’s school of thought whilst in one haughtily uttered statement successfully manage to insult and praise Sartre to anyone who even in passing utters anything that closely resembles the word Existentialism. I should consider doing both of those just for fun one day though. I’d find it highly entertaining. I actually think most people can be intelligent on some level and everyone is more knowledgeable than I in a multitude of subjects. We all have had different life experiences and also have a preference for various subjects, thus contributing to the retention of information that is related to that which we enjoy or that which we’ve encountered.
I do however, hope I possess at least some business savvy as there are a few things that depend on me to do so.
“Many of your ideas are very marketable”
Oh finally! Validation. Since my professional career primarily falls under Marketing and I very often have to contribute ideas, the next time I change positions or apply for a position within a new company I will be sure to include that statement in my resume. If the highly-credible Cafe Astrology says that “Many of my ideas are very marketable” it must be so.
“Somewhat unconventional in thought, you quickly become bored with routine thinking”
I do tend to get bored and my close friends can attest to the fact that every now and then they hear the statement “I need new” come out of my mouth. Funny enough, if you google my name and the word unconventional, somewhere among the top results you should find some info (probably this) on a fashion show that I put on with Gülbin Yavuz (the owner of Indie Collective), which we’d actually titled “Unconventional.”
“You can have a few stubborn habits yourself, and when your mind is made up, it can be difficult to steer you off course.”
Hmmm. Well, I am a Taurus after all. Stubbornness is a given. Actually, I’m not necessarily that stubborn. It’s only when I know exactly how to achieve the end-result that I’m looking for, that I find it pointless to take a different path. Aside from that, if you can show me a better more efficient way to accomplish something then I have no problem taking on your way of doing something.
While I don’t necessarily take these things all that seriously, they are amusing and I just like everyone else get sucked into reading them every now and then when I’m either sent these by friends or when I myself happen to stumble across them on my own. If you want to read the description for those born on your birthday click here. Please note that the descriptions are only up for those birth dates that have already occurred (meaning they are only up through today, June 1st), if your birthday has yet to happen you’ll need to check back once it has passed. I’m curious to hear if you can relate to your description at all.
PLAYING FAVORITES …WHEN ONE IS NEVER ENOUGH
Some people have no qualms when it comes to playing favorites. I’ll admit that I know what I like and more importantly what I don’t like. However, one of the hardest questions I’ve ever had to answer just came around once again recently.
The dreaded what is your favorite band question. This to me I feel is infinitely harder to answer than if I were to be asked who my favorite solo artist is.
Two very “opposite end of the spectrum” things occur inside my, naturally always-in-thought-mode, head when this question is directed at me and I attempt to begin to answer it. The first thing that happens is I go completely blank. The second more torturous thing is when an inner debate ensues; along the lines of “well this band had this person as their lead singer, but that band’s songs were phenomenal– but then this band was super-innovative with their musical arrangements, and that band really did pioneer that genre. I end up narrowing down what bands I like or respect in different genres and then trying to figure out which of them put out more music that I consistently enjoyed.
This goes on and on inside my head until I just can’t give an answer. Some people are fanatics from the womb. I can’t say I’ve ever waited (or had the desire to wait) 
in a really long line, let alone pull an all-nighter to purchase tickets for an artist’s/band’s show. Sure, there are plenty of conversations I’d like to have with some of my favorite songwriters and musical architects, but #1 fan status I probably won’t ever claim title of for any. So, because I’m not fanatically drawn to any one act in particular the quest to figure out who my favorite band might be is never an easy one.
I was most recently asked this by a guy who was hitting on me, and whom I had zero interest in, that is until he asked me that question. I’m sure he noticed how he’d captured my attention and how the wheels in my head must’ve visibly been turning as he began to milk it by trying to make me answer the question.
I still had no interest in him, but his question did get him at least an extra ten minutes of my attention span due to my going through the fore-mentioned process and ultimately being unable to provide an answer. I cared more about what my answer might end up being than he did I’m sure. Not because I cared about what this guy might think (those that know me know that as enjoyable as I might find conversing with people who appreciate similar music to myself, I much prefer to chat with those who might teach me something new or introduce me to a new sound or an old one at that), but because I was seriously going through all of the bands I’d ever liked in my head– all he probably cared about was trying to keep finding ways to put his arm around me.
This “oh so charming” fellow ended up telling the friend that I was with that her favorite band was probably Guns n’ Roses and later changed it to Slayer, which we found not only insulting but hilarious as he couldn’t have been more off base if he’d tried (try the Clash buddy). I thought he was going to try to guess what mine might be, but I think he was scared of messing up his chances with me and so he didn’t. I would’ve been curious to see what he might’ve pegged me as listening to.
During recent thought processes regarding this, my conclusions were still highly inconclusive. The bands I’d narrowed it down to were bands that either had an extensive catalog which I was well acquainted with or whose members went on to live a life filled with note-worthy creative collaborations and side projects. Bands comprised of innovators that I possibly couldn’t imagine life without their music playing some part of my own personal soundtrack, bands that always make me wish the question was what are your “Top 5 (or even 10) Favorite Bands?” instead of having to just decide on one.
If you asked me today I would probably say The Replacements.
If you’d asked me a few months ago perhaps I would’ve said anything Alex Chilton might’ve been in (Box Tops, Big Star, etc.), Radiohead would get that title at some point as would the Clash and X. Talking Heads would definitely be in that select group, maybe even The Rolling Stones or the Beatles, The Kinks, Earth Wind & Fire, The Fall, Psychedelic Furs, The Yardbirds, Pere Ubu, The Cars, Velvet Underground, and Led Zeppelin. Then there’s a bunch of other bands I might somehow justify putting in there like Blur, The Magnetic Fields, Gang of Four, Guided by Voices, CCR, Beach Boys, Blondie, Teenage Fan Club, Yo La Tengo, Eels, Pink Floyd, Queen, Granddaddy, Dinosaur Jr./Sebadoh, Pavement, Wilco, Belle and Sebastian, Stars. I could go on and on. So you see, I’ve sort of let you inside my head for a brief moment. Unfortunately, explaining why each of these bands could potentially hold a spot as my favorite band would require more of your time and attention span than I’d like to request at this time, but this is pretty much what goes on when I’m asked that question. If you’re able to answer that immediately then I am envious. Ok, not really. I think I’ll just stick to keeping that top spot on constant rotation to fit my moods.
It’s safe to say that when I’m having a conversation with you regarding music I will never ask you to tell me what your favorite band or artist is. I’d much prefer to hear about everything you’re currently listening to or what you’ve recently re-discovered or maybe the stories behind why you like certain artists.
So with all of that said, what was your favorite band again?
image originally published here
‘PIONEER TO THE FALLS’ – MEET MICHELLE MARINI (PART II of II)
(photo by Jessy Plume for TRAFFIK)
“If you’re going Downtown, I may as well be on your way“
– “Downtown” by Tegan and Sara
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In Part One of our feature on nightlife proprietor Michelle Marini, we discussed a little bit of her personal history with “tinseltown” and the City of Angels (if you missed it you can click here to read it). In Part Two, we will be learning a little more about her influences, current project, and what she hopes to accomplish with this new venture.
In January of 2009 we asked Michelle Marini, what she would like to tackle next. She responded with, “I’m angling to open a small bar in Gallery Row Downtown. It’s a super artsy, fashion-minded community that’s in the making.”
Intrigued, our conversation continued.
Why Downtown? What made the idea of opening something up Downtown first pop into your head?
Marini enthusiastically replied, “During Artwalk. Fall ‘08 I believe. I felt like I was in Manhattan, and loved it!”
Ultimately, this decision and idea eventually evolved into the newest addition to the already popular Spring Street area Downtown, The Falls (interior pictured below, photo originally published here) –a lounge that boasts a delectable drink menu concocted by Marini and her partner Al Ameida, replete with cocktails featuring natural juices as one of the ingredients is located in the City Lofts Building (626 S. Spring St. L.A, CA 90014). The LA Times described it as “kind of like if the ’70s and the ’40s mated and had a casually stylish baby.”
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Recently, we decided to pick back up with the questions to give everyone more insight into what went into the Falls and what to expect when you set foot into it.
TRAffIK: On any given night you could be found mixing with the Downtown locals (and now neighbors of the Falls) whether it was taking in the nightlife at places like the Association or taking in the Art during the monthly Downtown Artwalks, do you think this has helped you to gain an understanding of the folks that currently make up the Downtown scene?
MM: No! Now that we’re open I realized I didn’t have a clue. The folks that have been coming in have been awesome, as I expected. And we’re gaining new locals day by day. I have noticed, however, that people are very loyal to their blocks. Some friends came over from Spring and 4th. I joked, wow, you traveled ALL that way?! And they answered that they usually go to The Must, which is right where they live. And coming down to The Falls was a trek. So it’s been a bit of a challenge being the new bar. Plus I suspect since I had Lava Lounge and now The Woods we might be considered “Hollywood,” which we really are not.
TRAffIK: What do you hope your patrons feel when they step into the Falls and what kind of experience should they expect?
MM: The bar is cozy, but a bit glamorous at the same time. I hope they feel at home, but clever that they have discovered this cool little spot.
TRAffIK: We mentioned how supportive you have been of the Downtown businesses, in general when you go out for the evening what does that consist of and what type of service do you expect?
MM: I feel like my trips out are always research for future projects. I try to make it at least once to as many new spots as best I can. I’m particularly interested in the new boutique bars that custom mix drinks to your current whim, and even chip ice the texture that suits the concoction.
TRAffIK: Do you have any favorite places in LA that you frequent and why?
MM: For months I really haven’t had much time to go out, and I suppose I frequent the bars that I am personally involved in (invested financially) most. I do not have a favorite bar other than my very own yet– but, I really admire my neighbor [downtown] bars like Varnish, the Association, Las Perlas. I also love Roger Room or Lubitsch for drinks, and admire the concept of La Descarga. I also used to like the Chalet in Eagle Rock when it was around, but it was so damn far.
‘PIONEER TO THE FALLS’ – MEET MICHELLE MARINI (PART I of II)
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(photos of Michelle Marini inside of the Woods by Jessy Plume for TRAffIK- click on images to enlarge)
Fresh from the grand opening of her new Downtown Los Angeles lounge, The Falls (626 S. Spring St. L.A, CA 90014), eternally youthful and fashion savvy Michelle Marini (co-owner of the Woods 1533 N. La Brea Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028) has demonstrated time and time again to the “City of Angels” that she has staying power.
In a city where good-looking people can be found on every corner, it’s just as easy to write them off as it is to notice them. Why should we? They’ll be replaced by at least dozens more in just a few months or even weeks. San Francisco Bay area native Marini, is an exception to that rule. Possessing both good looks along with business savvy and an inclination towards the arts and creative expression (which she’s incorporated in some form or another into all of her ventures), Marini is anything but dismissible and has demonstrated that she can hang with the big boys without giving up her high-heeled shoes.
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Fashion is a “manifestation of my mood, changing every day, likely three times a day.”–Michelle Marini
On the surface, Marini may appear as just another typical Hollywood socialite type as she could rival many of those that appear on the covers, pages, and segments of “those” magazines and shows that plague the city with paparazzi. One of the first things you’ll notice about her is her fashion-forward attire. Although we would definitely agree that Marini, hands down has a much better fashion sense than most of those socialites (who more often than not count on the aide of stylists). Citing Rachel Zoe as someone whose style she admires, “I’d watch her show, Rachel Zoe Project, over and over, just drooling. Her vintage pieces captivated me the most.” Marini describes her fashion style as, “seeing fashion as a manifestation of my mood, changing every day, likely three times a day. I love the 60’s and 70’s eras most.”
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Her love for those eras was further exemplified after revealing that she would love it if moustaches (which she describes as so “70’s cheesy/sexy”) on men and big huge top hat sized bee hive fall type wigs (“60’s glam at it’s height”) made a comeback.
When asked if she felt there was anything lacking in the world of fashion this day in age, Marini stated, “The only thing I miss is that it’s impossible to make a defining statement with fashion. I was a teenage punker, really put some people off, which is exactly what I set out to do. You can’t accomplish that easily now, everything is accepted by the mainstream.”
Although a trendsetter from the womb and yet despite that “young punker” desire to be an individual, even her “How I Got to L.A.” story is actually quite relatable and typical of many of those that make up this city’s population. “[I] was at UCB [as] a Biology major, changed to Art and transferred to UCLA. Plus, I was dating the guitar player from SoCal Punk band TSOL, so that was a bit of the draw,” states Marini.
It was the following that solidified Marini as a rare individual, who walked the walk and not just talked the talk.
“I used to hang out at Three Clubs Bar an inordinate amount of time. Then, in 1992, there was hardly anywhere else to go. I figured Hollywood needed another bar and I’d be the gal to do it. And, no, I did not have an inch of experience at the time.”
A short time later the Lava Lounge was born (which a few years ago she turned into the Woods, but we’ll get to that), the friendly little tiki bar, which most Angelenos and visitors to the city will know this unassuming blonde from best.
Initially, the Lava Lounge was to be a haven for Marini’s expansive circle of friends, or as Marini describes “an 
intimate clubhouse,” however, due to it’s prime location in Hollywood (located off of Sunset Blvd. and La Brea Blvd.) “later, when it caught on, we had to have Gold Cards made with people’s names on them to make sure they could get in front of the throng,” Marini revealed.
Lava Lounge was an oddity among the surrounding establishments that made up the pretentious Hollywood nightlife, which inadvertently at times did become a “haven” to Hollywood celebrities who wanted to go somewhere where they could fly under the radar and have a drink. (more…)
The Art of Finding Your Parked Car…
How many times have you found yourself wandering a parking lot? Circling it, once…twice, blood pressure rising, sweat beads forming, all the while muttering “I swear my car was parked here, I left it right here.” Only to discover anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour later that there is a whole other section/floor/level that looks identical to this parking area differentiated only by a letter/number. When you finally discover this and see your car there (usually the last car remaining in that section) parked, waiting patiently and innocently as if tauntingly greeting you with “Why are you so upset? I’ve been here the whole time, right where you left me!”
In the time between a traumatizing similar scenario in the Disneyland parking lot during a family vacation as a child (where not only was the car lost, but so was I after wandering off on my own to locate the lost car…even then I thought I could do everything myself) and present day, I’ve had a few of those “bad endings to a great day/night” moments. The last noteworthy one being at Angel’s Stadium a few years ago.
It seemed no matter what methods I employed to avoid this scenario from occuring the attempts seemed futile and the end result was the same (and let me just say that the shoes I normally wear are not usually appropriate footwear for an impromptu Aids/Autism/Breast Cancer 5K walk/run marathon training session).
Some of those methods I was sure would work have included (but aren’t limited to):
Counting on my Photographic Memory – Really, it’s astounding how well this serves me most of the time. “We are parked in the purple section with the yellow trim in Section 3G” It turns out parking lots are immune to this special overly developed skill of mine.
Using Landmarks – This really is a subcategory of the Photographic Memory trick. “We are parked in the purple section with the yellow trim, past the soda machine, but before the escalators, right by the speed bump, next to the black Honda Civic in Section 3G.”
Somehow, sometimes inexplicably all of these landmarks disappear. Just like Ninjas. Or worse an argument ensues. “We were by the bottled water machines and the elevators.” “No, it was the soda machines and the escalators, you idiot!” Unfortunately, since neither party will usually let it rest, both of these options have to be explored resulting in wasted time and bad moods.
Verbalizing/Saying the section out loud to your friend(s) – This one is great because from the get go you establish solidarity against the parking lot as well as a level playing field. You both have the info. So when it comes time to find the car you’re golden, right? One of you will remember the info right? Hopefully. However, two $50 Blue Margaritas and three $20 beers later paired with exiting on the opposite side of where you entered because that bathroom line had a shorter line and we all know how you get in lines (this isn’t about me, remember?!) and neither one of you may even recall who drove in the first place. However, you can always yell at them. “I gave you the info, why couldn’t you just remember?!!!” Pot, just leave the kettle alone. (more…)