It's not rocket science. Carbs plus fat equals comfort and joy, which is why we're so happy about National Grilled Cheese Day. Of course, the entire month of April is actually National Grilled Cheese Month, which is why people have been buzzing about the snack for a while now. Check out LAist for their gorgeous "Cheese Of The Week" slideshow and their write up of the Eva Restaurant/Grilled Cheese Truck grilled cheese pairing.
For hardcore fans, Tillamook cheese is sponsoring the annual Grilled Cheese Invitational on Saturday, April 23 at the Los Angeles Center Studios. Tickets are $12 online and $15 at the door. If you think you've got what it takes to challenge the pros, register to compete in one of four categories: "Love, American Style," "The Missionary Position," "The Kama Sutra," and "The Honey Pot."
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The five bedroom, seven-and-a-half bathroom Santa Monica compound known as the "Gorham House" has just been listed for $11.995 million. The home was designed by award-winning architect Robert D. Farquhar in 1910 for H.M. Gorham, an organizer of the Santa Monica Bank. Farquhar is perhaps best known for designing the William Andrews Clark Mausoleum, UCLA's Clark Memorial Library, and downtown's California Club. Did we mention he served as chief architect of the Pentagon as well? Farquhar also happened to marry the daughter of Santa Monica's founder, John P. Jones, making this home even more significant to the city's history.
The home has undergone a restoration since it was built over a century ago. It still has original details like gas fireplaces, crown molding, and windows, while updates include new kitchen appliances, finishes, and a state-of-the-art system for entertainment and security throughout the house. Located on a flat, half acre lot on one of Santa Monica's most coveted streets, the property features ocean views, outdoor fire pits, courtyards, and a pool and spa. There is also a guest house onsite with a bedroom, kitchen, gym, billiards room, and movie theater. Check out photos of this piece of Santa Monica history below.
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Like so many people, The King's Speech, the movie, moved me on many levels. It brought to reality the humanity of a distant figure, a man's simple struggle to rise to the occasion, to stretch himself for his people. To do the right thing. Earlier this week, like so many others, I continued my search on Facebook and Twitter to stay abreast of all the momentous change raging across the Arab world, I stumbled across another King's Speech that also moved me to tears.
Throughout North Africa and the Middle East, many people are rightfully demanding greater political freedom, economic opportunity, the rule of law, transparent government and reform in a rush to greater quality of life in a modern world. Many women are finally making their voices heard in the tumult of this new history and another King is listening to them. King Mohammed VI of Morocco began the challenge of moving his people and country forward since assuming the throne as a young man more than ten years ago. The changes announced by His Majesty this week are a further step in the right direction toward democracy and a better life for all Moroccans.
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Love knows who we are and where we live. It needs no introductions. Our names were written in the book of love before we came to earth and will remain there forever after. No one comes to earth without the capacity to love, be loved and be transformed by love. No matter how many times love betrays us, hurts us or abandons us, something within us is more determined than ever to go to battle and win the coveted war -- love.
It is astounding to see the number of people taking such an active role in pursuing love. It has become a career path of sorts. Cyberspace has become the new playground for singles to meet and connect -- all from the comfort of home. Magazines and media bombard us with an endless stream of advice on dating and mating, finding and keeping, and all the other techniques and methods of forcing love to happen. Yes, forcing love to happen. The mystic and poet Kahlil Gibran reveals, "And think not you can guide the course of love. For love, if it finds you worthy, shall guide your course." Love is a mystery, not a methodology.
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I just returned from Park City where I had the pleasure to judge the Slamdance Documentary Competition. I saw some compelling and inspiring work. Being a judge forced me to actually see films at a film festival for the first time in two years since embarking on the TOTBO project (usually I am lucky to see one film). In addition, I got to catch nearly all of Gandu Asshole -- a stunning visual and narrative feast by first time Indian filmmaker Q that is headed to the Berlinale. Last but not least, I got the opportunity to see the finished version of the moving and brilliantly structured Kinyarwanda, a film I mentored in the IFP Filmmaker Labs.
It was a very exciting time at Park City. First off, more films have sold at this year's Sundance Film Festival than in recent memory and that is good news for independent film as Ted Hope points out in his blog that it "should give investors more confidence that you no longer have to rely just on foreign; the US acquisition climate seems quite robust again."
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