Umami

On Tuesday, March 29, for every burger sold at any of their five locations, Umami Burger will donate one dollar to the American Red Cross to benefit the Japan Earthquake & Pacific Tsunami Fund.

Normally I try to donate to organizations like Medecins san Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders) that don't earmark funds for specific disasters. They were one of the first on the ground after the tsunami and they continue to devote resources to ongoing humanitarian crisis' worldwide.

I hope Richard comes back okay.

Food doesn't taste the same without him.

Oatmeal

I called 5 (FIVE!) different bookstores in search of "5 Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin in the Mouth". Each time I gave the title of the book I got different reactions, to the point where I started saying, "ummm... I think the title is like '5 Very Good Reasons'" or "The author/illustrator is Matt Inman..."


When Richard does a favor for me, I repay him in coffee. Oddly enough, neither of us had gone to swork in a long time, so we were probably overdue. We saw this car parked in front of us.

I call this 'serendipity'.

Thankfully the line for the book signing didn't go on very long. And afterward we went to punch dolphins.

Gallery Nucleus

I'll admit it - I might be stalking Michael Zulli. Just a bit. He was at a group show this weekend at Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, one block down from a yummy tea place I frequent with my college friends. And then I read a familiar sounding name pulled from the cover of my Fables #100, Joao Ruas. (I wonder if Brasilians are trending strongly as rising comic artists (see Umbrella Academy).) Naturally, I cleared my schedule.


The theme was graphite; and indeed, it was one of those rare pencil shows that makes you linger at the shiny glass display cases, marveling at the linework and delicate shading. I could have stood rooted for hours.


Barron Storey was present. He kindly signed my well-tagged Sandman Volume 11 aka Endless Nights. I complimented the Mysterious Mister Zed on Fracture of the Universal Boy, of which I am his Kickstarter backer #503. I picked up a sketchbook from Shelly Wan, whose self-portrait as Salome is very visually appealing. But mostly it was Joao Ruas' work that blew me away. I even picked up a print, though I've been trying desperately to cut back.

You need to see these wolves up close. Their eyes glitter.

LA Central Library: All Book Talks Should Be Tasty

THE CULINARY HISTORIANS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PRESENT

ANDREW F. SMITH SPEAKING ON

“HOW FOOD WON THE CIVIL WAR” AND “POTATO: A RAGS TO RICHES STORY”

Saturday, March 12th, 10:30 a.m. at the Los Angeles Public Library

Mark Taper Auditorium, Downtown Central Library, 630 W. 5th St.

Free and open to the public

Andrew F. Smith will discuss his two soon-to-be published books: Starving the South: How the North Won the Civil War (St. Martin’s) and Potato: A Global History (Reaktion Books).

Did hunger defeat the Confederacy? Culinary historian Smith will take a gastronomical look at the war and its legacy. From the first shot fired at Ft. Sumter to the surrender of the

Confederacy in April 1865 food – or its absence – played a crucial role in how the war was fought and its outcome. While the Civil War split the country in a way that affects race and politics to this day, it also affected the way we eat and drink.

He will also discuss the rags to riches story of the potato, examining how the once lowly vegetable that has changed – and continues to change – the world. Despite its popularity, in this era of fast food and health consciousness, the potato is now suffering negative publicity. Its health benefits continue to be debated, especially since it is most often associated with the ubiquitous but high-calorie french fry.

A reception with themed refreshments will follow the talk at approximately 11:30.

Chorizo & potato tacos with pico de gallo, fruit punch with slices of green apple, potato cake with a blackberry reduction, homemade potato chips.

ABOUT ANDREW F. SMITH

Andrew F. Smith teaches food history at the New School University in Manhattan. He is the author or editor of 19 books, including his most recent books Starving the South: How the North Won the Civil War and Potato: A Global History. He serves as the editor in chief for the Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America. He has written more than 300 articles in academic journals, popular magazines and newspapers. For more about him, visit his website: www.andrewfsmith.com

Kadomatsu

I had never been to the Terasaki Foundation Laboratory Building, so naturally I got lost looking for it. But just after the Chinese New Year, the Nibei Foundation - Japan Study Club was having a Kadomatsu show. It's pretty rare to see actual pine/bamboo/flower displays in LA, but I've understood them to be more common in Hawaii.

Ikebana instructor Youkou Kitajima of the Sogetsu School gave an interesting slide show lecture and demo of modern vs. traditional kadomatsu techniques. Of course, the best part was getting to make our own miniature kadomatsu. It was well worth the materials fee.

Kitajima-san is an awfully nice guy. He owns NK Nursery - specializing in Japanese pine - in the City of Industry. And he volunteers to prune the pines at the JACCC. He took questions and instructed us on the proper way to prune pine and fruit trees (which I never really understood til now).

Hatsu-ocha

From NPR:

The Japanese have elevated the everyday affair of tea drinking to a high art. In January, many Japanese will observe the "first kettle," the first tea-drinking party of the New Year. Novelist Liza Dalby lived in Japan for several years. This month, she describes her celebration of the "first kettle" in San Francisco.

Haneto Postmortem

Haneto Truth #1: Aleve is your friend.

Oh. My. God.

I walk several miles a week. I can survive all 4.5 days of Comic-Con with almost no soreness. But this week was the most muscle pain I've ever felt for any length of time (nearly four days worth of I-can't-get-out-of-bed stiffness). Make no mistake, this parade is a marathon for a haneto - and I was bouncing til the very end. Which leads me to unofficial rule #2...

Haneto Truth #2: Save your energy.

My first warning should have come from the guy with the megaphone. He said it would take 5-10 minutes to get to the hotel endpoint. I said, "That's it?" and he replied, "That's it."

Lies!

Looking around, most people seemed to have expended their energy by the halfway mark and were walking the route without shouting the traditional 'rasse rasse rasse ra!'. If you must take a break, maneuver toward the middle away from the onlookers and cameras. The organizers from Aomori cleverly took turns at the megaphone and alternately bouncing. So be conservatively energetic.

Haneto Truth #3: Stay hydrated.

The Nebuta-LA site says a water tin or gagashiko is part of the costume. Unless you brought your own canteen, most participants just got a bottle from the water attendants. And maybe some beer...

Haneto Truth #4: Footwear matters.

I've read that the standard footwear is white tabi and zori, and you use to the polka dot towels to fasten the zori to your feet. But I've also seen plenty of 地下足袋, jikatabi with rubber textured soles that contact the ground. Mostly people wore sneakers.

Haneto Truth #5: Bring your own accessories...

I strongly suggest wearing a kimono slip. It's the nature of aizome (indigo dye) to run and stain the first few times you wash or wear it. Even my very modern, machine-sewn aizomo haneto yukata stained a bit at the neck where I sweat and my slip didn't cover. It's not a defect, but it can ruin the clothes you're wearing underneath if you don't take precautions. I'm sure those who went commando left the parade looking like Smurfs when they took it all off.

So yes, wear nagajuban. It will impress your dresser.

Haneto Truth #6: ...but make sure you're presentable.

The haneto yukata is a one-size-fits-all, stiff white cotton, dyed blue with specific nebuta motifs - not at all like a regular yukata. The sleeves are shorter, squared off, no underarm hole or miyatsuguchi. It's possible to alter a regular yukata to look like a haneto costume, but not the other way around, so consider it an investment for future parades.

There was at least one guy in the crowd wearing a passable blue-white yukata, but it was kinda dingy and gray. I suppose it was comfortable and fit him best, but if you must go the mix & match/DIY route be sure to get the best possible look.

Haneto of Aomori Nebuta (青森ねぶたのハネト) - Anatomy of a costume

If you were fortunate enough to see the nebuta in their fully-lit debut glory during the 2007 Nisei Week parade you might find yourself itching to join as a crazy, leaping, chanting, haneto dancer. Angelenos are lucky that 2010 is the third year the Aomori Nebuta will be in town. And it's easy to sign up for.

You can buy or rent these indigo-dyed costumes around August in Aomori, Japan or online at Homura Matsuri. They're damn near impossible to pick up secondhand or used unless you know someone. I picked mine up at Zenshuji for cash :p

The official kit includes:
-花笠 [はながさ] or hanagasa (flower hat)
-浴衣 [ゆかた] or yukata (summer robe)
-襷; 手繦 [たすき] or tasuki (sleeve tie)
-しごき帯 [おび] or ,shigoki-obi (soft belt)
-お腰 [おこし] or okoshi (underskirt)
-腰紐 [こしひも] koshihimo (waist cord)
-手拭い tenugui no mame-shibori (polka dot towels)


The diagram above includes a velcro 'magic belt', but they're made of non-slip rubber and non-breathable polyester so they instantly add 10 degrees. It's been a cool summer, but I personally didn't go this route. This often comes standard if you own kimono accessories. You can used a contrasting koshihimo as well, or a hanhaba obi if it doesn't restrict your movement.


Common motifs for haneto yukata include:
-the words 青森ねぶた祭 'aomori nebuta'
-warriors
-bijin or beautiful women
-bells on cords
-flowing water or waves
-bunny rabbits (because 'haneru' means bounce)

It's common in pictures to see people wearing non-standard costumes (like regular non-haneto yukata), as long as they were dressed 'properly', but I think it defeats the spirit of the float. Plenty of volunteers were wearing only the 2010 Nebuta shirts. Otherwise, you can always join in at the end of the parade on First Street.

Yelp LA invades Little Tokyo

From Monday, August 2 to Sunday, August 8!

This week long promotion showcases select local Little Tokyo businesses that are offering exclusive discounts to Yelp passport holders.

Discounts galore:

Aloha Café (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
"Buy one, receive one 1/2 off" special on the following items:
Shave Ice
Spam Musubi
Hawaiian Breakfast

Blue Whale Bar (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Free entry all week long (no cover).

Bunkado, Inc. (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive a free gift with purchase. ($8.95 value)

Chado Tea Room (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive 20% off your bill or 35% off "Champagne Afternoon Tea." (regularly $28)

Cube Boutique (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive 20% off any item.

The Far Bar/Chop Suey (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive a free Cali-Yelp Roll with your purchase of $10 or more. (Limit one per person.)

Four Leaf - Tea and Crepes (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) Receive a free Green Tea or Black Tea Latte with the purchase of any crepe/waffle.

Fugetsu-Do (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive 10% off your total purchase.

Hold Up Art (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive 12% off any piece (from $20 posters to $1,500 originals).

Izakaya Fu-ga (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive 15% off your bill.

Kimski Makes (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive an exclusive Kimski designer t-shirt with the purchase of $20 or more.

Kinokuniya Bookstores (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) Receive a $5 gift certificate towards your next visit with the purchase of $20 or more.

Kushi Shabu (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive 20% off of the Kobe beef AYCE (regularly $38 per person) or the Marbled beef AYCE (regularly $45 per person).

Lazy Ox Canteen (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive 20% off your bill. (Excludes Friday and Saturday dinners.)

Mitsuru Café (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive a free imagawayaki (famous red bean cake) with the purchase of a menu item meal. (Dine-in only. Valid only on Tuesday, August 3 to Friday, August 6.)

Nail Service (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive 15% off OPI's new Axxium Gel 14-day manicure (regularly $35) and/or a half-set lash extension for only $110 (full set regularly $300).

N°A - Number A Boutique (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive 15% off your entire purchase.

Oiwake (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive 15% off your bill. (Excludes alcohol and specially priced menu items.)

RIF Los Angeles (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive a free t-shirt with any purchase.

Six Taste (Food Tours in Los Angeles) (http://www.yelp.com/bi... 20% off Little Tokyo tours on Friday, August 6th and Saturday, August 7th, 2010.
(When booking online, please use Promo Code: YELPPASS10)

Spitz (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) Receive a free order of street cart fries or cinnamon sugar pita strips with the purchase of any sandwich, wrap, salad, plate or döner.

Suehiro Cafe (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive 15% off your bill.

Threads Café & Lounge (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive a free snack with the purchase of $3 or more.

Tofu Village (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Receive 15% off the total bill. (Not valid on All-You-Can-Eat menu.)

San Diego Comic-Con 2010

I returned from San Diego on Sunday evening. Made some emergency dinner for my lovely boyfriend, and proceeded to rub his back in gratitude after the marathon 3 hour drive home. He's such a trooper for indulging me and my comic-obsessed antics.

The weekend highlights included:

THE GOOD
-nostalgic signings by the oh-so-kind Michael Zulli
-meeting all FIVE of the Mythbusters (Adam, Jamie, Grant, Tori, Kari)
-a doodle by famed Italian illustrator Milo Manara (whose erotic-themed works I know best, but publicly I shall admit only X-Women)

THE BAD
-the Fables panel overlapped with the Mythbusters, so I missed it (shh! Bill Willingham is not a man to slight)
-DC has a habit of not announcing their guests and signings until the artist checks in at the booth, so it's anyone's guess who is attending and what a fan like me with limited duffel bag space can bring
-some panels & signings are too popular for their own good so I had to forfeit them with the certainty that they will return in the future (True Blood & Charlaine Harris, JJ Abrams, Joss Whedon, anything Seth MacFarlane)

THE UGLY
-on-site registration for next year's 4-Day + Preview Night was sold out by approx. 3:30pm Sunday, which may lead to a mass panic whenever online reg goes up, even though most people are simply hedging their bets as to whether they'll even go to Preview Night if cost is not a factor...

Y'know, I'ved worked SDCC for 4 years - was even offered a minion-staff position, too - and in years past I always heard the phrase "Comic-Con has the best attendees in the world." I certainly didn't hear it this year. But please, don't get me wrong - I had a great time and I'm pleased with where I spent my energies.