OH HAI!!!! I'm Carrie. I am the one and only. I blog for LAist. I live in Los Angeles. I like eating, filmmaking, writing, and people. cmeathrell at gmail if you want to play some online Scrabble or nerd out in some other way.

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Interview with a Naples, Long Beach Gondolier

Or, Part 1,928 of “I LOVE L.A.”:

An interview with Mike O’Toole, founder of Gondola Getaway in the Naples section of Long Beach, from “Westways” magazine (yes they send it to you with your AAA membership and I will punch you if you judge it because it is such an earnest publication and reminds me of my grandparents)

Q: How did you start your business?

Mike O’Toole: In 1981, I bought an old Pakistani fishing boat that was a rose garden in a guy’s front yard here. I put an electric motor on the back and I got a big oar, the straw hat, and the striped shirt. I didn’t think I’d be doing it for the next 25 years.

Q: What kinds of people apply to be gondoliers?

O’Toole: At one point, almost all the gondoliers were Long Beach Wilson High School water polo players. And another time, almost all of them were from the football team. Guys on staff understand who’d be the right person for the job and refer them. One of our ex-gondoliers runs the music program up at Long Beach State and sees singers with the right personality. So he sends them down.

P.S. Wintertime in Los Angeles is a wonderful time to go gondoling through the Naples canals. You can go for fish tacos afterwards and drive through the Palos Verdes Peninsula (“Green Sticks”!) on your way home.

Friday, November 6th 2009 9:44pm

Friday, November 6th 2009 8:10pm

robot-heart:

max (via nicole ☆ lynn)

My receptionist will now scold me if I don’t send her pictures of puppies every day. I AM A MOTIVATIONAL POWERHOUSE!!!

robot-heart:

max (via nicole ☆ lynn)

My receptionist will now scold me if I don’t send her pictures of puppies every day. I AM A MOTIVATIONAL POWERHOUSE!!!

Friday, November 6th 2009 5:38pm

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

pie0:

Bob Dylan - It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue

71revisited

Friday, November 6th 2009 9:38am

How much do I love this betch? It’s almost impossible to say:
“here is what i have learned this week. shockingly, so many women, married, with kids, without, men too, boyfriends, girlfriends, so many of you feel trapped in relationships you’re unhappy in. unions you’ve stuck it out years for. YEARS. aside from the piles of comments (which are splendid thank you very much) coming in i have been receiving a gauntlet of emails, truly personal painful emails. long ones that take me ages to get through, like entire afternoons. not all sad, though the ones that stand out most are the sad of course.
but i don’t know what the answer is. for you. i just know that being unhappy for the sake of someone else is probably the stupidest life choice ever. i am not saying that is what i did but from my pedestal it’s easy to be like oh no, that’s what other people do. fall into.
look, i am likely the most annoying insufferable partner you can take on. i will smother the shit out of you. that’s my game plan, basically, and i have to KNOW EVERYTHING. i am super jealous and possessive. lazy. irritating. opinionated. but that’s not the point. the point is i am also fucking wonderful. i am a treasure. endearing. i will give you all of my attention and i will worship you. i make US my world. i do not self-serve. i will distract you from your pain and i will buy you stupid presents you do not need.”
— RaymiTheMinx is SINGLE AGAIN. Ladies and gentlemen of Canada, YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. If I weren’t tied down here in L.A. with my own ball and chain, I’d be on a plane in a hot minute to lock that DOWN.

How much do I love this betch? It’s almost impossible to say:

“here is what i have learned this week. shockingly, so many women, married, with kids, without, men too, boyfriends, girlfriends, so many of you feel trapped in relationships you’re unhappy in. unions you’ve stuck it out years for. YEARS. aside from the piles of comments (which are splendid thank you very much) coming in i have been receiving a gauntlet of emails, truly personal painful emails. long ones that take me ages to get through, like entire afternoons. not all sad, though the ones that stand out most are the sad of course.

but i don’t know what the answer is. for you. i just know that being unhappy for the sake of someone else is probably the stupidest life choice ever. i am not saying that is what i did but from my pedestal it’s easy to be like oh no, that’s what other people do. fall into.

look, i am likely the most annoying insufferable partner you can take on. i will smother the shit out of you. that’s my game plan, basically, and i have to KNOW EVERYTHING. i am super jealous and possessive. lazy. irritating. opinionated. but that’s not the point. the point is i am also fucking wonderful. i am a treasure. endearing. i will give you all of my attention and i will worship you. i make US my world. i do not self-serve. i will distract you from your pain and i will buy you stupid presents you do not need.”

RaymiTheMinx is SINGLE AGAIN. Ladies and gentlemen of Canada, YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. If I weren’t tied down here in L.A. with my own ball and chain, I’d be on a plane in a hot minute to lock that DOWN.

Thursday, November 5th 2009 9:10pm

tothemaxxx:

The Band - “King Harvest” in Woodstock studio, 1970 and “Long Black Veil” from Festival Express (via Anne Larsson’s facebook)

Levon Helm, could you stop being so fucking cool for like just five seconds? No? Ok then. I think I can handle that.

P.S. Festival Express: REQUIRED VIEWING, you guys, if only for that scene of Rick Danko and Janis Joplin getting trasssshhhhhed on the train together.

Thursday, November 5th 2009 3:37pm

"The world reveals itself to those who travel on foot."

Werner Herzog (via riazm)

Thursday, November 5th 2009 1:20pm

Finally FINALLY got to Guelaguetza for lunch. And you know how I did it???
My boss decided it was time to take the staff out for a meal: he scheduled the day, but when I got in this morning the first thing he asked was “Hey Carrie…can you plan where we’re going to go for lunch today? Poll the staff on their preferences? Make reservations? Arrange transportation? Carry me on a litter?”
And I said “YES this is what I’m good at, DONE DONE DONE.” (I’ve mentioned the LAist foodie gig at LEAST ten times to him but you know how people are. With the internet.)
Anyway, so I was all nervous about taking seven “work-related” people to a restaurant I’ve never been to before, but then we got there and it was totally walking distance and the waitress was understanding and everybody was like “MOLE?? Fried fish? Slow-braised chicken? Fried plantains? Into it!!!!” 
And then we came back to work and I put together a hard-core study guide for this test we have to take tomorrow (which I think is going to be a cake-walk but everybody else in the office is FREAKING OUT over).
So basically I am the Queen of the Office and I’m kind of loving it because I am actually really really into my job right now. WEIRD FEELING. Weird. WEIRD.
Is this what adulthood is? Being good at your job? And also telling people where to eat the best Oaxacan cuisine in Los Angeles? Is that what I’m doing? I think I’m ok with this. I think I can go forward from here.

*Oh, also, I’m only saying this because my boss was like “I HAD A MULLET IN THE 80’s and I listen to Rush and Metallica.” I probably don’t have to explain; but we get along real well. REAL well.

Finally FINALLY got to Guelaguetza for lunch. And you know how I did it???

My boss decided it was time to take the staff out for a meal: he scheduled the day, but when I got in this morning the first thing he asked was “Hey Carrie…can you plan where we’re going to go for lunch today? Poll the staff on their preferences? Make reservations? Arrange transportation? Carry me on a litter?”

And I said “YES this is what I’m good at, DONE DONE DONE.” (I’ve mentioned the LAist foodie gig at LEAST ten times to him but you know how people are. With the internet.)

Anyway, so I was all nervous about taking seven “work-related” people to a restaurant I’ve never been to before, but then we got there and it was totally walking distance and the waitress was understanding and everybody was like “MOLE?? Fried fish? Slow-braised chicken? Fried plantains? Into it!!!!”

And then we came back to work and I put together a hard-core study guide for this test we have to take tomorrow (which I think is going to be a cake-walk but everybody else in the office is FREAKING OUT over).

So basically I am the Queen of the Office and I’m kind of loving it because I am actually really really into my job right now. WEIRD FEELING. Weird. WEIRD.

Is this what adulthood is? Being good at your job? And also telling people where to eat the best Oaxacan cuisine in Los Angeles? Is that what I’m doing? I think I’m ok with this. I think I can go forward from here.

*Oh, also, I’m only saying this because my boss was like “I HAD A MULLET IN THE 80’s and I listen to Rush and Metallica.” I probably don’t have to explain; but we get along real well. REAL well.

Wednesday, November 4th 2009 9:44pm

browncoats:

Browncoats have infiltrated Google:
Firefly Reference on Google Wave: I SEE WHAT YOU DID THAR.
(submitted by mimisaurus)

browncoats:

Browncoats have infiltrated Google:

Firefly Reference on Google Wave: I SEE WHAT YOU DID THAR.

(submitted by mimisaurus)

Wednesday, November 4th 2009 1:20pm

Pretty sure this is coming to a computer near my face soon.

Pretty sure this is coming to a computer near my face soon.

Wednesday, November 4th 2009 1:05pm

bohemea:

Gone With the Wind
While hunting down a cap for the Rhett/Don comparison I was struck by this positively heartbreaking still.

This is pretty epic. Rhett is a far, far better man than Don Draper could ever hope to be, though.

bohemea:

Gone With the Wind

While hunting down a cap for the Rhett/Don comparison I was struck by this positively heartbreaking still.

This is pretty epic. Rhett is a far, far better man than Don Draper could ever hope to be, though.

Wednesday, November 4th 2009 12:47pm

travelhighlights:

Cambodia Town by Christina HouseLos Angeles County is home to the only official Cambodia Town in the U.S. It’s an interesting glimpse into a culture that doesn’t get a lot of attention in this country.-Katherine

travelhighlights:

Cambodia Town by Christina House

Los Angeles County is home to the only official Cambodia Town in the U.S. It’s an interesting glimpse into a culture that doesn’t get a lot of attention in this country.

-Katherine

Wednesday, November 4th 2009 12:29pm

thecount:

karlis:

fuckyeahmontypython:

intuitiveaptitude:

are2:

Black Night: None shall pass



No joke, my flu is the Black Knight. For serial.

it’s only a scratch.

Un. Able. To. Not. Reblog.

thecount:

karlis:

fuckyeahmontypython:

intuitiveaptitude:

are2:

Black Night: None shall pass

No joke, my flu is the Black Knight. For serial.

it’s only a scratch.

Un. Able. To. Not. Reblog.

Tuesday, November 3rd 2009 7:41pm

louobedlam:

Good afternoon, from San Pedro.
Sorry, I’m posting this from my phone, and the glare from the sun means I can’t quite tell if this photo is okay.
But I’m listening to the waves, realizing that I’ve never been a fan of the beach, and that such a fact is just plain wrong.
Sun, bit of haze, the water coming in, sliding back. I get it, why people not from here lose their minds over the beach. There is a sense of calm that really can’t be denied, here.
Looking out at the ocean, it’s like Dave Bowman at the end of the movie, his mind blown by the immensity of what he’s seeing.
Okay, done. Thanks for indulging me. Good luck, today! It’s all gonna work out.
And you look great.

San Pedro is my safe place.

louobedlam:

Good afternoon, from San Pedro.

Sorry, I’m posting this from my phone, and the glare from the sun means I can’t quite tell if this photo is okay.

But I’m listening to the waves, realizing that I’ve never been a fan of the beach, and that such a fact is just plain wrong.

Sun, bit of haze, the water coming in, sliding back. I get it, why people not from here lose their minds over the beach. There is a sense of calm that really can’t be denied, here.

Looking out at the ocean, it’s like Dave Bowman at the end of the movie, his mind blown by the immensity of what he’s seeing.

Okay, done. Thanks for indulging me. Good luck, today! It’s all gonna work out.

And you look great.

San Pedro is my safe place.

Tuesday, November 3rd 2009 6:37pm

Sometimes you feel like a nut —
Sometimes you don’t!
Sometimes you feel like a Scandinavian milk-maid college admissions administrator.

Sometimes you feel like a nut —

Sometimes you don’t!

Sometimes you feel like a Scandinavian milk-maid college admissions administrator.

Tuesday, November 3rd 2009 3:18pm