Give peace a chance.

As someone brighter and wittier than me once said, if you don't like something, do something about it.

Well, some folks in town didn't like the recent news about hate crimes and the awful consequences to those who are victim to discrimination.

So, they're doing this:

Starting Location
6356 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, CA

November 21, 2010
3:00 p

We are walking for everyone who has ever been an innocent victim of a hate crime(s), for everyone who has ever been discriminated against, we are walking for everyone who has ever lived in fear because they were "different," and we are walking against intolerance so that perhaps we can impact those fearful and angry. So that we may send a message to those who strike against beautiful, innocent human beings. Beings who deserve nothing more than to be swimming gracefully and confidently in the same pool we swim in. No one here in this world is different lest they choose to be and even then, "the sun rises in the morning on ALL of us." Let's come together, create a buzz, and show Los Angeles and anyone who hears about or reads about our rally what we stand for and what we all deserve!

You're invited: A very special birthday celebration.

Dear friends, readers & strangers who've taken a liking to me,

You only turn 25 4 times. So, please consider taking time out of your usual Sunday night routines (trips to Target, lounging on the couch in your underwear, and drinking beer at unruly sports bars) to celebrate my birthday with me. Details below...

Sunday, August 15th
7 p - 12 a

R Bar
3331 West 8th Street (b/w Ardmore & Irolo)
Los Angeles, CA 90005

Reasons why you'll want to be in attendance:

* The bar's amazing kitchen will be open for service. So come hungry. Hungry & thirsty.
* There is a jukebox. It's not bad.
* If you don't like the crowd, I'm sure you can find a tacqueria in the neighborhood that's more your speed.
* I promise not to be in my birthday suit. I'm fully aware that after the first 25th, no one wants to see that.
* The party starts early. Get in. Get out. Get to bed by midnight.
* Though Robert Pattinson will not be coming (so his publicist says), I may or may not supply a life-size cut-out of him in the corner for photo opps.

Feel free to invite your friends who enjoy birthdays, celebrations, and me. The more, the merrier they tell me.

RSVP: to jessie.b.rubin@gmail.com by Friday, August 14th so I can let the bar know how many of your beautiful faces to expect.

Hope to see you there!

xo * Jessie

Party outside the box. [The RSVP Line]

Drinking for drinking's sake is alright. I have nothing against it and occasionally, in fact, encourage it. But sometimes it's nice to drink next to someone who has more on his mind [both literally and figuratively] than cheap PBRs.

Mindshare LA, is a monthly forum for Angelenos who'd like a little learning with their liquor. And next week, the Mindshare folks will meet again and invite you to join them in an evening of talks, talking and, yes, drinking.

Next week's program will include...

David Orban / Founder, Chief Evangelist, WideTag, Inc. & Advisor, Singularity Univeristy
The Internet of Things

Matthew J. Smith / Harvard Law School
Negotiation & Mediation Afterhours

Wil Carson / Senior Project Designer, Michael Maltzan Architecture
New Questions for a New City

Emily Tyrant / Pervert Extraordinaire, Den of Iniquity
Acclimating Men to Pain

DJ'ing this month will be Joanna Gikas of IO Echo

Thursday, March 18
7 p - 1 a

Club 740
740 S. Broadway
(Enter through the alley at 8th Spring St.)
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Purchase tickets online.

The Name Game. When the name your mama gave you just ain't enough.

It seems that no one's given names are good enough for them anymore. Nicknames are commonplace from birth onward, sure (who hasn't heard their fair share of honey - baby - sweetie-pie - from her adoring parents). But the notion that grown men and women are giving themselves nonsensical names--in earnest--and expecting other grown adults to call them by these newfangled names--this confounds me completely.

Case in point. I ran across a press release this morning with this header: Book Launch Event for "It's Just Begun" by DJ Disco Wiz, Hosted by Frankie Needles with performances by Mellow Man Ace

Now, these men are all esteemed in their respective fields of hip-hop, art and fashion. And the event, I'll admit, promises to be a good one (it's tonight if you're interested). But tell me DJ Disco Wiz's mama isn't crying over the fact that her son (born, Luis Cedeño) is going around with a self-proclaimed moniker that can't help but evoke images of everyone's favorite '50s cheese spread.

Pauline Parry: Hostess with the Mostess

There are few things in life that I enjoy more than eating. Well, sure, there are a couple of things I'd prefer to chowing down--I mean, I'm not a hedonistic pig, for goodness sake. But, for the sake of this piece, let's begin with the fact that I do love to eat. And I love, love, love a good party. Which is why yesterday's event [at the gorgeous new event space, High Profile Productions], celebrating the very first book penned by Pauline Parry (the hostess with the mostess and owner of Good Gracious! Events), was such a treat.

The book, 'FOOD FUN LOVE: PARTY STYLES,' contains tips on entertaining and recipes for those daring enough to do the cooking on their own. I, myself, am not such a master in the kitchen, but for those of you with a bit more culinary coordination, I implore you to buy the book, throw a party, and invite me over. If your version of Pauline's mac and cheese hors d'ouevres is anything close to yesterday's sampling, I will gladly attend and will likely stay til you kick me out.

Thanks to Sarah of Pink Cloud Events for inviting me to tag along!

Hiding under the table.

I have a confession to make. Tonight, while working the door at a friend's event, I hid under the table. It started with just a duck--as if I was looking for a lost pen--when I spotted an old flatmate walking by (note, this living arrangement did not end well). But mid-duck, I realized I was stuck. If I popped back up and he was looking (that look that says: 'seriously, you're hiding from me? you can't be for real!), I'd be found out. But if I stayed just ducking, the hump of my back might be seen--I'd appear either paralyzed or just plain stupid. I had no choice. There was no turning back. I had to come out of duck position or go full in. I went. I sat on the ground beneath the table on a flattened cardboard box of wristbands for minutes until I was certain the coast was clear.

I'm not saying I'm proud. I'm just saying I, a full grown adult, hid under the table tonight.

Image - Matthew Feyld (and FYI-Matthew Feyld is an amazing artist I discovered while working with the Carmichael Gallery. Check him out.)