Skylar "Commissioning a Symphone in C" L.'s Profile

My car was broken into four months ago. I went around with a tape window for about six weeks. Finally I asked my mechanic where I should go to get the window replaced, and he told me there was only one place -- Economy Auto Glass.

My mechanic is awesome (Mot Karsten Imports) and he hasn't let me down yet. The guys at Economy Auto Glass are so accommodating and thorough. The glass took no time to be replaced, but the guy who was working on my car must have spent twenty minutes getting the goo off my door from where the tape was. The price could not be beat either.

Last Friday I awoke to the same window being smashed and my GPS gone. I was bummed, but at least I knew where to go to get the window replaced!

This is a go-to place for my friend and I.

I used to go to Good Stuff a lot when I worked in WLA in 2005. I hadn't returned until I started a new job here a couple months ago. I suggested to a friend I was meeting for lunch that we go. It was exactly the same as I remembered it. Nothing too special, but Good Stuff (yup, I went there, sue me).

I especially LOVE the chocolate milkshake (no banana). It's not your traditional milk shake, but rather crushed ice, a little cream and chocolate syrup. I actually prefer it over traditional milkshakes, but maybe that's just because I can lie to myself and say it's not as bad for me?

Anyway, the friend I was meeting for lunch there ended up getting a job at an office building less than a block away so I got a lot more often that I probably would otherwise. Before venturing out to the other restaurants in the strip mall, we were here at least twice a week. That was also before the high schools descended. School-year Good Stuff is not the same place as summertime Good Stuff. The staff is slammed, and thus become a little surly (not all of them, but enough to notice). The place, always busy, becomes a madhouse. It's just not really a place I want to spend a lot of my time in.

Be sure to get a punch card and use it!! Yeah punch cards!

I probably end up eating here about once a week. There's hardly ever anyone in there for lunch hour -- I think most of their business is take-away and delivery. I don't know how often I'd go if it wasn't walking distance from the office, but their lunch specials (pasta, a slice of pizza, or a sandwich+salad+drink for under $8) are solid and the people who work there are nice.

My favorite thing there is probably there is the vegetarian sub. The bread is fresh, flaky and crunchy on the outside and soft and smooth in the inside. I would be happy just munching on the bread. The seasoning and flavors of the various vegetables that fill the sub are to die food. I would be happy just munching on the sandwich fillings.

This is definitely not a "Lady and the Tramp," romantic Italian restaurant, but it's good food at a great price.

Meh.

After however many years of Kogi's existence, I finally went today. It wasn't on purpose -- the truck I thought was going to be there wasn't -- but I was hungry so I figured I'd give it a shot.....

25 minutes later I finally ordered. There must have been 10 people in line in front of me -- 2.5 minutes per person is impossibly slow.. I really didn't have time for it, but I kept on thinking to myself, "You've waited this long, tough it out."  Maybe the wait time was because it was a new-to them-truck (the truck's previous owner's menu was still up but taped over with masking tape)? I doubt it though. The only other thing keeping me there other than sheer will was the smells emanating from the truck were delicious. Unfortunately, the tofu burrito I just consumed was not. Oily, messy, strange texture did not make up for the so-so seasoning and gargantuan portion.

If someone I was meeting up with picked up Kogi and got me a burrito or taco, I'd eat it, but that's the only way I can see myself ever eating their food again.

There's upholstery and then there's art....and THEN, there's art you can sit on.

I'll admit it, it can get confusing. Do I stare? Do I sit? Do I sit and then get up and stare and then sit again? In the end, it's a personal decision. I'm lazy, so I sit. Whatever you decide, I can tell you is that the work done by Proper Furniture is simply breathtaking (and comfy!).

Joshua has a way of finding the inner beauty of a piece and really bringing it to life. You know that mid-century bright orange chair you bought at a thrift store because the overall structure is ten times more beautiful than the hideous color it's sporting? Well, take it to Proper and see what can happen. OK. Maybe that's just me with the orange chair, but you know what I mean...

I met Kevin (oh gees, he's Dr. Cressey now!) through Yelp while he was still in chiropractic school (is that the right terminology for it?). I was always impressed by his passion for the field and impressed by his obvious book knowledge. Well, I can now personally attest to the fact that his skills go far past books. He is simply a fantastic chiropractor.

I first started going to Dr. Smith, the other doctor in the practice, right before Kevin graduated on Kevin's recommendation for a shoulder injury. My shoulder was already improving when Kevin took over my treatment. He integrated adjustments with message and "homework" exercises for me to do. For the first time in two years my shoulder stopped being a constant pain and turned back to something that moved my arm. I would have been eternally grateful just for that, however....

I play Roller Derby. I actually ref much more than I skate, but I am in the LA Derby Dolls wRECk League and thus have had my fair share of injuries the average Joe isn't going to get. My latest injury resulted in a MASSIVE bruise on my right thigh, my left knee swelling to double its size and my left shoulder (formally known as my good shoulder) so messed up I could barely move it. It turned out that the office was closed the day after my injury. Well, Kevin came in ON HIS DAY OFF and gave me an adjustment. If it wasn't for that I think I would still be much worse off than I am -- which isn't that bad at all two weeks later. I was even able to skate last night!

If you're looking for a knowledgeable, caring, talented chiropractor stop. You've just found him. Still don't believe me? I made my mom go. I am very protective of my mom. She now sings Kevin's praises more than I do!

Wow. Pizza Hut pizza is DISGUSTING. I don't remember it EVER being this bad. Maybe I've just been spoiled as of late now that Dominos has improved their product, but whatever it was: gross. The pizza was delivered when promised but that is the only positive experience of this place. The website doesn't even have a cool tracker thing that Dominos has! The whole Veggie Lover's pizza lacked any real flavor, but was chock full of a chemically after taste. The dough (I got the default one) was SWEET. If I wanted something sweet, I would have ordered dessert. The veggies were devoid of any flavor and the sauce....oh that sauce was terrible.

Usually even bad pizza turns not-so-bad once it spends some time in the fridge and is then eaten with a beer after a long day. Not this time. Stay away. Far away. They have a $10 for any pizza, any size, any toppings "deal" going on for a reason. Why else would anyone ever venture to buy one? There are tons of local pizza places (mom and pop and chains) in this neighborhood, Pizza Hut does not deserve your business (or the space it'll take up in your trash can).

I absolutely love volunteering for Reading to Kids. It's not a phonics program or Saturday school -- it's people who love reading sharing the love of reading to kids. I volunteer regularly at Gratts Elementary school. I'm pretty sure I've volunteered in every grade now. From Kindergarten to 5th grade, there are joys and challenges. The joys ALWAYS outweigh the challenges.

The clubs themselves are great. Volunteers are split up into different grades. From there, volunteers are divided into groups of two or three. A new volunteer is always matched with a volunteer who has been there at least once. New volunteers are required to go to a training while returning volunteers get a (usually) five to ten minute discussion about an aspect of the program -- from leading more in depth book discussions to the benefits of letting the kids cut out their own craft projects.

Once everyone has orientated themselves with the book and the art supplies they need for the after reading craft, the fun starts. Groups are paired with kids and all go to the assigned classroom. Depending on the age, everyone either sits on a rug on the floor or on chairs in a circle. The book is read, everyone does the art project, the kids all meet back in the rec room an hour and a half later with a prize book, their craft and a story swimming in their brain for the rest of the day.

I cannot speak to the other schools, but Gratts is run superbly. The site coordinators have it down. You'll probably hear Jen first. Her bark is loud, but I am 98% positive she's a sweetheart. Whether she is or isn't doesn't matter too much as the kids are organized and ready when it's time for volunteers to be matched up with their groups. Scottie and Susann (who will be moving next month) make sure all the volunteers, and especially the Grade Level Coordinators are set with everything they need. They are also great with checking in during the clubs to make sure everything is running smoothly. Corey wraps up the clubs both with the kids in the room and then the debriefing after.

A volunteer couldn't ask for a more streamlined, rewarding Saturday morning.

I want to love this place. I really do. I am a sucker for mac n' cheese. Add peas to the mix and I'm yours...usually.

Let's talk about the good things: I first went here during the soft opening. My friend described it to me as "Pinkberry but with macaroni and cheese." This is a perfect description of it. You choose the size, noodles (rice or regular), cheese (parm and garlic or soy), mix-ins (various veggies and meats) and the  toppings (cheese or walnut fancy stuff). The guy who owns it also owns Larkin's. His mom makes the delicious deserts. The space is modern but comfy. Limited seating but I've thus far been lucky with it.

Now the not so good things: I have only been here twice so I have yet to try the soy cheese. The regular cheese they use is OK -- too fancy for me. The beauty of macaroni and cheese for me is its simplicity -- a simplicity lost with the garlic heavy parmesan base they use. The best part of the finish product for me is the cheese on top of the dish. I really wish they made an option with that taste -- sharp and complex within itself. Also, just like Larkin's, this place is on the slow side. They quoted me 10 minutes for me to get my grub and there wasn't a line when I got there. I don't think it actually took that long, but it was a strong 7 or 8 minutes. Much longer than getting a Pinkberry yogurt!!

I don't know if I'd be back if the menu doesn't change. If a sharp cheddar option is introduced, I'll be there with stretch pants ready!

The food here is still good, the dessert is great, but the drinks...oh the drinks. The level of craftsmanship has waned. I used go to Aroma, choosing to pay the extra $1 over Coffee Fix, because I knew I was going to get a consistently excellent product. Not any more.

The morning shift people need to be trained. The last two times I've gone my soy chai has been burnt. The sign of a bad barista is when that squeaking/whistling sound is produced while steaming milk, a common contribution to the din in the AM. It is SO easy to steam milk properly. The whole, "soy is harder to steam and needs to be done differently" is a total fallacy -- it can be just as silky and rich as regular milk. I've worked on horrible machines and produced a much higher quality foamed milk than what I got tonight.