So, I'm not sure how this fits into the theme of this blog(our lifestyle, the Casita, our stuff)except for the fact that a lot of these songs have been in constant rotation at our house/cars for a few years now.
My brother-in-laws album is finally being released. And I don't use "finally" in exassperation but in excitement. I can't even tell you how stoked, excited, over the moon my wife and I are for Carlos. This album is a long time coming, taking many years to come to fruition. The last few years have been tumoltuous, to say the least, for the Forster family. There have been some high highs and some dark lows. Through it all many of the songs from this album have been a constant in our lives. This album is fantastic and I think everyone should own it.
Congratulations Carlos!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Sunday Morning Running...Down(town)?
I hate running but it beats the alternative...being fat. On my run Sunday morning I tried to think of all the redeeming things about running besides the obvious health benefits.
I like the me time. Now I'm not a person that needs a ton of personal time but everybody needs a little bit. My me time is rarely very productive, I do things like daydream and think about earth shattering ideas like why I run. Every once in a while I have a brilliant idea while on a run and it makes it all worth it.
I can listen to music at any volume that I want. I don't always listen to music while running but when I do I enjoy the fact that I can set the volume however I like. My wife and I have different ideas about music volume, she usually turns my music down. To be fair, I do the same to her when she puts on "I Will Survive" or some other crap super loud. Our musical taste is actually not significantly different but there are exceptions.
I think it's important to see my neighborhood on foot. Most of the time part of my run takes me through Old Town Torrance. I like to see what community events are going on and it's exciting to see when new business are going in. I tend to notice more things on foot than I ever would in a car. Like this:
My Sunday morning short run mix:
1. Love You Better- Carlos Forster
I usually have at least one of my brother-in-laws songs on a running mix. Carlos likes to know how fast people run.
2. Leavin' On a Jet Plane- J Mascis
Who knew that you could make a John Denver song sound like this?
3. Standing in the Shower Thinking- Jane's Addiction
My mom used to say that she liked the song with the dog's barking but not the one with peeing...sorry mom. This song brings me right back to middle school and in middle school I ran fast.
4. Rebound- Sebadoh
Has a nice groove for running.
5. Freak Scene- Dinosaur Jr.
Ok a little bit of a trend here(Mascis, Sebadoh, Dino.). My wife put this song on a mix she gave me when I went to Germany a few years back for the World Cup. Kinda surreal flying down the Autobahn listening to Dinosaur Jr. with my parents.
6. Seven Nation Army-White Stripes
I think this song is cool, so there you have it.
7. Up on the Sun- Meat Puppets
Another good song for running and it doesn't rock as much as the previous couple of songs, gotta mix it up on a run.
8. Wild Mountain Nation- Blitzen Trapper
This song turned me on to this band. I think this song sounds like it could be a Big Star song.
9. I Don't Care if There's Cursing- Phosphorescent
Saw this band in Portland at the Doug Fir, they were amazing. At this point in my run I'm usually not looking for anything too fast that would mess with my pace.
10. Backwater- Meat Puppets
Another song by the Meat Puppets, I must have been lazy making this mix. I just started getting into this band a couple years ago and I guess this is their "hit" if you don't count the Nirvana covers.
11. Headlights- Jackpot
Fully expected to be cooling down by this point. Rad band should be better known.
I like the me time. Now I'm not a person that needs a ton of personal time but everybody needs a little bit. My me time is rarely very productive, I do things like daydream and think about earth shattering ideas like why I run. Every once in a while I have a brilliant idea while on a run and it makes it all worth it.
I can listen to music at any volume that I want. I don't always listen to music while running but when I do I enjoy the fact that I can set the volume however I like. My wife and I have different ideas about music volume, she usually turns my music down. To be fair, I do the same to her when she puts on "I Will Survive" or some other crap super loud. Our musical taste is actually not significantly different but there are exceptions.
I think it's important to see my neighborhood on foot. Most of the time part of my run takes me through Old Town Torrance. I like to see what community events are going on and it's exciting to see when new business are going in. I tend to notice more things on foot than I ever would in a car. Like this:
My Sunday morning short run mix:
1. Love You Better- Carlos Forster
I usually have at least one of my brother-in-laws songs on a running mix. Carlos likes to know how fast people run.
2. Leavin' On a Jet Plane- J Mascis
Who knew that you could make a John Denver song sound like this?
3. Standing in the Shower Thinking- Jane's Addiction
My mom used to say that she liked the song with the dog's barking but not the one with peeing...sorry mom. This song brings me right back to middle school and in middle school I ran fast.
4. Rebound- Sebadoh
Has a nice groove for running.
5. Freak Scene- Dinosaur Jr.
Ok a little bit of a trend here(Mascis, Sebadoh, Dino.). My wife put this song on a mix she gave me when I went to Germany a few years back for the World Cup. Kinda surreal flying down the Autobahn listening to Dinosaur Jr. with my parents.
6. Seven Nation Army-White Stripes
I think this song is cool, so there you have it.
7. Up on the Sun- Meat Puppets
Another good song for running and it doesn't rock as much as the previous couple of songs, gotta mix it up on a run.
8. Wild Mountain Nation- Blitzen Trapper
This song turned me on to this band. I think this song sounds like it could be a Big Star song.
9. I Don't Care if There's Cursing- Phosphorescent
Saw this band in Portland at the Doug Fir, they were amazing. At this point in my run I'm usually not looking for anything too fast that would mess with my pace.
10. Backwater- Meat Puppets
Another song by the Meat Puppets, I must have been lazy making this mix. I just started getting into this band a couple years ago and I guess this is their "hit" if you don't count the Nirvana covers.
11. Headlights- Jackpot
Fully expected to be cooling down by this point. Rad band should be better known.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Casita Del Oro Limoncello
Making limoncello at the Casita.
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| Fairly locally picked lemons. |
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| Awesomely large Ball jar. |
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| Close-up, lemon peels in booze |
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Live Music
My wife and I both think that seeing live music together is a fun date night. In the last 5 years we have seen quite a few shows together. Here are a few observations:
1. Susanna Hoffs is still super hot.
2. Fogerty has had some serious work done.
3. Dave Alvin is a pretty good guitar player.
4. M. Ward can also shred.
5. Steve Earle has an amazing belly.
6. John Doe's voice is awesome live.
7. Willie Nelson's constant touring may put us in the poorhouse.
8. Neither Wilco nor Son Volt are Uncle Tupelo
9. Apparently super tall people think it's cool to stand in front of the 5'9" guy and his 5'1" wife.
10. Can't wait to see my brother-in-law play.
1. Susanna Hoffs is still super hot.
2. Fogerty has had some serious work done.
3. Dave Alvin is a pretty good guitar player.
4. M. Ward can also shred.
5. Steve Earle has an amazing belly.
6. John Doe's voice is awesome live.
7. Willie Nelson's constant touring may put us in the poorhouse.
8. Neither Wilco nor Son Volt are Uncle Tupelo
9. Apparently super tall people think it's cool to stand in front of the 5'9" guy and his 5'1" wife.
10. Can't wait to see my brother-in-law play.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Mementos
I like to collect ceramic tiles when we go on vacation to places that are known for that kind of thing. Last month my wife and I went to Spain for our honeymoon and came home with a few ceramic treasures including some tiles. Now we need to figure out what to do with our vast tile collection...
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Morning Music
Many mornings at the Casita begin with a music mix that I play to help get my wife out of bed. Most of these mixes have themes and are dedicated to my lovely bride. And most mornings she appreciates them(or at least pretends to). Recently my best friend turned me on to the website grooveshark.com which has opened up a whole new world for music mixes. Here is my relaxing Sunday morning mix for April 3rd:
1. Waterloo Sunset- The Kinks
2. And a Bang on the Ear- The Waterboys
3. Hearts and Bones- Paul Simon
4. Harvest- Neil Young
5. Loving Her Was Easier(Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)- Kris Kristofferson
6. California- Joni Mitchell
7. Thirteen- Big Star
8. Tangled Up In Blue- Bob Dylan.
Thanks Brian.
1. Waterloo Sunset- The Kinks
2. And a Bang on the Ear- The Waterboys
3. Hearts and Bones- Paul Simon
4. Harvest- Neil Young
5. Loving Her Was Easier(Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)- Kris Kristofferson
6. California- Joni Mitchell
7. Thirteen- Big Star
8. Tangled Up In Blue- Bob Dylan.
Thanks Brian.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
RIP Car
It's amazing how attached we become to our cars. My car pooped out last week, I'll miss it.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Inspiration
Wanted to share some of our inspiration for our decor and landscape:
Living room Casita Del Oro
Mission San Miguel
Monday, January 31, 2011
Old/New Tradition
Every region of the United States seems to have their own idea of what comfort food is. For Southern Californians I believe that our comfort food is Mexican food. Now I'm not talking about authentic Mexican like the kind you would find in say...Mexico. I'm talking about the greasy, cheesey, lardy, combination plates and burritos kind that you find all over Southern California. The kind that we Southern Californians were raised on.
As a kid growing up in Manhattan Beach my friends and family had two go to Mexican establishments, El Sombrero and El Tarasco. Both great and both places are full of memories and good times for me. I can't tell you how many times I came up from the beach without a shirt or shoes, covered with sand, to eat chips and salsa at El Sombrero. It's amazing that they didn't mind that salty, dirty, sun-tanned kids took over the restaurant on summer afternoons.
My wife, who is from San Juan Capistrano, was also blessed to grow up in a community with fantastic Mexican restaurants. In fact we had our wedding reception at one of these San Juan institutions, El Adobe. I can't tell you how exciting it was for me to eat enchiladas at our wedding.
On birthdays and other special occasions my family would go to Arturo's in Harbor City. Arturo's is where my mom went with her parents growing up. When my wife and I moved to Old Torrance we needed to establish new local Mexican restaurant traditions. Luckily, Arturo's is just a few miles away from the Casita. What was an old family tradition for me now has become a new family tradition for my wife and me.
As a kid growing up in Manhattan Beach my friends and family had two go to Mexican establishments, El Sombrero and El Tarasco. Both great and both places are full of memories and good times for me. I can't tell you how many times I came up from the beach without a shirt or shoes, covered with sand, to eat chips and salsa at El Sombrero. It's amazing that they didn't mind that salty, dirty, sun-tanned kids took over the restaurant on summer afternoons.
My wife, who is from San Juan Capistrano, was also blessed to grow up in a community with fantastic Mexican restaurants. In fact we had our wedding reception at one of these San Juan institutions, El Adobe. I can't tell you how exciting it was for me to eat enchiladas at our wedding.
On birthdays and other special occasions my family would go to Arturo's in Harbor City. Arturo's is where my mom went with her parents growing up. When my wife and I moved to Old Torrance we needed to establish new local Mexican restaurant traditions. Luckily, Arturo's is just a few miles away from the Casita. What was an old family tradition for me now has become a new family tradition for my wife and me.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Let Me Count the Ways
The neighborhood that my wife and I live in will celebrate it's 100th Birthday in 2012. I grew up about 8 miles away from where we live now but the only thing I knew about Old Torrance was that the neighborhood high school, Torrance High, was used for the outdoor shots on the original Beverly Hills 90201 tv series. Yes, West Beverly is actually Torrance High School. I "discovered" Old Torrance about 5 or 6 years ago and thought it was the one of the most unique, undiscovered parts of the South Bay.
I never intended this blog to turn into a list of our favorite things but sometimes that's just how my brain works. Blame it on my mom, she likes lists. Everything on the list that follows is either in our neighborhood or takes place in our neighborhood. With the exception of the last one, we can walk to all of the places on the list.
Old Torrance, how do I love thee...
1. The Casita(of course!)
All 701 square feet of it. Our house is small but we love it.
2. West Beverly...I mean Torrance High
They sure don't build high schools that look like this any more. Go Tartars!
3. Branch Office
A true dive bar in every way. I'm not talking about a "dive" bar like the type frequented by hipsters serving PBR and playing rare David Bowie, Lou Reed, and Belle & Sebastian on the juke box. No the Branch office is all about cheap drinks and Bob Seger. Bud-Light's are always two dollars and the music is either terrible or great depending on how you want to look at it.
4. La Capilla
I have never seen this restaurant empty. Everyday of the week the tables seem to be full. It is a typical Southern California old school Mexican place. The cool thing about La Capilla is that you can tell that it's the type of place that families keep returning to generation after generation.
5. Torrance Bakery
Fabulous cookies, cakes, and baked goods. They have these cheese scones that are awesome.
6. The Depot
We can't regularly afford this restaurant but it is very good. The Chef/owner is kind of the unofficial mayor of Old Torrance and a super nice guy. Not pretentious at all.
7. The fact that everyday school kids of all ages walk by our house on the way to and from school. Believe it!!! On foot!!!
8. Wilson Park/Farmer's Market
The park is great place to run or walk. It also seems to be a good place to play softball if that's your thing...it is not my thing. The Farmers market is on Tuesdays AND Saturdays and is very popular. During the summer it's really cool to see YMCA and other camp kids cruising the market and loading up on fruit and other healthy snacks. I know Famer's markets are all about produce but there's this cheese guy who has the BEST selection of cheeses. I like to run on on Sat. mornings at the park and then sample all the goods before heading home.
9. Antique Fair
Fair is the fourth Sunday of every month. Tons of junk for sale. We have found quite a few treasures for our house amongst the junk.
10. Alpine Village.
Ok so Alpine Village is not really in Old Torrance but as far as I'm concerned it's close enough. We go to Oktoberfest at Alpine Village every year and always have a great time. They set up a giant beer garden/tent and thousands of revelers show up. This past summer we were lucky enough to watch a few World Cup games there. I have to say, German beer and pretzels taste just as good at 7 in the morning.
I never intended this blog to turn into a list of our favorite things but sometimes that's just how my brain works. Blame it on my mom, she likes lists. Everything on the list that follows is either in our neighborhood or takes place in our neighborhood. With the exception of the last one, we can walk to all of the places on the list.
Old Torrance, how do I love thee...
1. The Casita(of course!)
2. West Beverly...I mean Torrance High
They sure don't build high schools that look like this any more. Go Tartars!
3. Branch Office
A true dive bar in every way. I'm not talking about a "dive" bar like the type frequented by hipsters serving PBR and playing rare David Bowie, Lou Reed, and Belle & Sebastian on the juke box. No the Branch office is all about cheap drinks and Bob Seger. Bud-Light's are always two dollars and the music is either terrible or great depending on how you want to look at it.
4. La Capilla
I have never seen this restaurant empty. Everyday of the week the tables seem to be full. It is a typical Southern California old school Mexican place. The cool thing about La Capilla is that you can tell that it's the type of place that families keep returning to generation after generation.
5. Torrance Bakery
Fabulous cookies, cakes, and baked goods. They have these cheese scones that are awesome.
6. The Depot
We can't regularly afford this restaurant but it is very good. The Chef/owner is kind of the unofficial mayor of Old Torrance and a super nice guy. Not pretentious at all.
7. The fact that everyday school kids of all ages walk by our house on the way to and from school. Believe it!!! On foot!!!
8. Wilson Park/Farmer's Market
The park is great place to run or walk. It also seems to be a good place to play softball if that's your thing...it is not my thing. The Farmers market is on Tuesdays AND Saturdays and is very popular. During the summer it's really cool to see YMCA and other camp kids cruising the market and loading up on fruit and other healthy snacks. I know Famer's markets are all about produce but there's this cheese guy who has the BEST selection of cheeses. I like to run on on Sat. mornings at the park and then sample all the goods before heading home.
9. Antique Fair
Fair is the fourth Sunday of every month. Tons of junk for sale. We have found quite a few treasures for our house amongst the junk.
10. Alpine Village.
Ok so Alpine Village is not really in Old Torrance but as far as I'm concerned it's close enough. We go to Oktoberfest at Alpine Village every year and always have a great time. They set up a giant beer garden/tent and thousands of revelers show up. This past summer we were lucky enough to watch a few World Cup games there. I have to say, German beer and pretzels taste just as good at 7 in the morning.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
A Mix for Alice
It's no secret that I like to make music mixes. I think that maybe it's the fact that I only caught the tail end of the generation that got to make mixed tapes. I never got to sow all my mixed tape oats. Anyway, I truly believe that every occasion can benefit from a really good mix. From road trips to house parties, music can enhance any experience. Since my wife is out of town and I miss her, I decided to put together a mix for her. Most of these songs she loves(or at least likes a lot) and a few of them just make me think of her. Just for fun, I thought I give a short description as to why I included each song.
1. California Stars-Billy Bragg and Wilco
This song is kind of a no brainer, we danced our first dance to it at our wedding. It was magical, the song came on, we danced, and the reception hall's roof opened up to...well it opened up to sunshine beating down on us. But hey the sun IS a star, right ?
2. Under My Thumb-The Rolling Stones
Don't I wish...seems like most of the time it's the other way around
3. Forever-The Beach Boys
Written by Dennis Wilson not Brian Wilson so some people poo-poo the song. But my wife loves it, so there you go.
4. Something-The Beatles
We are NOT Beatles fans. I personally believe that they are the most overrated pop/rock band ever. That's not to say that they didn't make a few great songs. And we both like George Harrison, the most underrated Beatle. Obviously, this is one of his.
5. Thirteen-Big Star
Beautiful song. RIP Alex Chilton.
6. Furr-Blitzen Trapper
A newer song that has a theme of growing up a settling down. My wife is helping me with the whole growing up thing.
7. Streets of Bakersfield-Buck Owens & Dwight Yoakam
This is going to sound crazy but my wife and I love Bakersfield. If you spend any time in Bakersfield you have to check out Buck Owens' Crystal Palace. It's a fun place to see a show. We got to see Merle Haggard play there and it was amazing.
8. Lodi-Creedence Clearwater Revival
There was a time in our relationship whenever we heard this song at a bar we would sing along making it a duet. We don't even pretend to be cool. Plus you can never have too many songs on a mix about cities along Hwy 99.
9. Help Me Make it Through the Night-John Doe & The Sadies
Actually this song was written by Kris Kristofferson but my wife loves John Doe so John Doe's version goes on this mix.
10. Sure As S**t-Kathleen Edwards
Crass title, sweet song.
11. A Song For You-Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs
No mix for my wife is complete without a Gram Parsons song. We saw Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs(yes, THAT Susanna Hoffs) open for Lucinda Williams a couple years back and we were blown away.
12. Loving You Was Easier(Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)-Willie Nelson & Dyan Cannon
From the movie Honeysuckle Rose. My wife would like this movie to be her life. Not so much the story of the movie but the fashions they wear in the movie. This is another Kris Kristofferson song.
13. Spend the Night-Deer Tick
"Spend the days holdin' hands,
'cause you're my woman, and I'm your man.
And we lookin' good together honey, doin' the best we can.
And everything will be alright, till the end of our lives.
'Cause in a heartbeat I would say to you, "I do."
So spend the night. Oh, spend the night.
Everything's gonna be alright girl, spend the night."
I think that says it all.
14. I Heart California-Admiral Radley
Anyone who knows us knows how much we love California. This song captures the good and the bad.
15. Our House-Madness
Most Madness songs don't sound like this one. We love our little house and it's pretty much in the middle of our street. So Madness might as well be singing about us.
1. California Stars-Billy Bragg and Wilco
This song is kind of a no brainer, we danced our first dance to it at our wedding. It was magical, the song came on, we danced, and the reception hall's roof opened up to...well it opened up to sunshine beating down on us. But hey the sun IS a star, right ?
2. Under My Thumb-The Rolling Stones
Don't I wish...seems like most of the time it's the other way around
3. Forever-The Beach Boys
Written by Dennis Wilson not Brian Wilson so some people poo-poo the song. But my wife loves it, so there you go.
4. Something-The Beatles
We are NOT Beatles fans. I personally believe that they are the most overrated pop/rock band ever. That's not to say that they didn't make a few great songs. And we both like George Harrison, the most underrated Beatle. Obviously, this is one of his.
5. Thirteen-Big Star
Beautiful song. RIP Alex Chilton.
6. Furr-Blitzen Trapper
A newer song that has a theme of growing up a settling down. My wife is helping me with the whole growing up thing.
7. Streets of Bakersfield-Buck Owens & Dwight Yoakam
This is going to sound crazy but my wife and I love Bakersfield. If you spend any time in Bakersfield you have to check out Buck Owens' Crystal Palace. It's a fun place to see a show. We got to see Merle Haggard play there and it was amazing.
8. Lodi-Creedence Clearwater Revival
There was a time in our relationship whenever we heard this song at a bar we would sing along making it a duet. We don't even pretend to be cool. Plus you can never have too many songs on a mix about cities along Hwy 99.
9. Help Me Make it Through the Night-John Doe & The Sadies
Actually this song was written by Kris Kristofferson but my wife loves John Doe so John Doe's version goes on this mix.
10. Sure As S**t-Kathleen Edwards
Crass title, sweet song.
11. A Song For You-Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs
No mix for my wife is complete without a Gram Parsons song. We saw Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs(yes, THAT Susanna Hoffs) open for Lucinda Williams a couple years back and we were blown away.
12. Loving You Was Easier(Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)-Willie Nelson & Dyan Cannon
From the movie Honeysuckle Rose. My wife would like this movie to be her life. Not so much the story of the movie but the fashions they wear in the movie. This is another Kris Kristofferson song.
13. Spend the Night-Deer Tick
"Spend the days holdin' hands,
'cause you're my woman, and I'm your man.
And we lookin' good together honey, doin' the best we can.
And everything will be alright, till the end of our lives.
'Cause in a heartbeat I would say to you, "I do."
So spend the night. Oh, spend the night.
Everything's gonna be alright girl, spend the night."
I think that says it all.
14. I Heart California-Admiral Radley
Anyone who knows us knows how much we love California. This song captures the good and the bad.
15. Our House-Madness
Most Madness songs don't sound like this one. We love our little house and it's pretty much in the middle of our street. So Madness might as well be singing about us.
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