Around LA Archives - AJ Feuerman

My Faith in Humanity

November 17, 2018 By AJ Leave a Comment

I’m going to tell you how a brief – and somewhat awkward – encounter with three women in a ladies room restored my faith in humanity. Hear me out.

On Thursday night I was having dinner at a fairly posh restaurant in Beverly Hills with a friend. Mid conversation, at the end of our meal, I caught a nosebleed. I jumped up and ran for the bathroom and by the time I got there, I was pretty much a waterfall. I was alone at first, which was fine with me because I felt embarrassed and ridiculous, gushing blood over the pristine, white, porcelain sink and shoving paper towels under my nose. (I get nosebleeds fairly often with bad air quality or dry weather but they always stop quickly. This was really bad.)

Suddenly one woman was out of a stall, with her hand on my back, asking if i was okay. And then a second woman, in a very sexy gold dress, was standing next to me, with more paper towels, asking if she could help.

I kept insisting I was fine, but I was actually starting to feel dizzy and nauseous and I think they could tell I was nervous. I have a fuzzy memory of asking if I should go to a hospital. Gold-dress-lady started dabbing at the spots on my arms and hands where I’d stained myself with blood while the other woman, whom I later learned was named Wendy, started rolling up tissue and putting it up my nose, instructing me to tilt my head back and showing me how to hold the bridge of my nose. They were both kind and gentle. It was extraordinarily comforting.

My embarrassment started to fade and I only felt gratitude. Neither would leave me until the bleeding stopped and I appeared to be okay on my feet.

It’s easy to assume anyone would do the same in that situation but I don’t believe that to be true. I saw both women out in the restaurant later. Wendy asked me if I was really okay and I said “yes” and mouthed “thank you.” She said something about how things like that are happening to lots of people because of the air quality from the fires.

I don’t know. Women are often accused of being catty or competitive. Human beings, just by nature, are apprehensive and it’s easy to keep to yourself. You’ll get no judgement from me for that. In a fancy restaurant, in our nice clothes, with good food and great music beckoning from outside the door, it would have been easy to smile, quickly ask if I was okay, and move on. But they stuck with me and I found it incredibly touching.

Faith in humanity restored for the moment. Thanks, ladies.

What is your “Ultimate Day?”

August 3, 2017 By AJ 1 Comment

Here I go thinking about myself again and loving it.

Well, let me hear it — what is your Ultimate Day? What does your Ultimate Day look like? When someone in my office announced she was having her “ultimate day,” I was confused but I finally came to see it’s value and understand it’s magic. She would plan a day of her favorite activities, no matter where it took her around town, and invite good friends to join her. And in doing so, creating a day filled with inescapable joy, surrounded by people you care about sharing in that feeling, it would be the Ultimate Day.

It’s the most, isn’t it? This is really my idea of heaven. This is a birthday party for no reason. A unique “stay-cation” with your loved ones. The ultimate field trip.

The great news is that you HAVE people to share this with, RIGHT? And that’s the ultimate, too!

And I’ve become rather obsessed with the idea. I’ve spent quantifiable time thinking about what my ultimate day would include. I keep changing my mind but it’s coming along.

Here is what I have so far:

NO DRIVING. There will be much Ubering and/or Lyfting for my day. Or a generous friend is welcome to chauffeur my places. But I will not succumb to looking for parking, scouring neighborhoods for street space or paying for overpriced valets who also get tips.
BRUNCH. Obviously. Probably at Church Key but maybe at Cliff’s Edge. I’ve been wavering on this decision.
PUPPIES. Are you surprised? Maybe I’d check out the new Dog Cafe although I’m not sure I’d be able to walk away from an adoption station with my emotions in tact.
SHOPPING. Not an extensive shopping trip, mind you. I don’t need to comb the mall. I’d rather find one unique store and go buy myself something unique. I love a store that serves up some quality browsing and then you find that GEM you MUST HAVE that you didn’t know you needed….! Perhaps Vroman’s or the strip of shops in Tujunga Village.
SNACK BREAK. Perhaps at my favorite coffee shop (which is in Tujunga Village, by the way) or a trip to get frozen yogurt.
A MOVIE. Hopefully one with Tom Hardy, Chris Evans, Colin Farrell or Chris Pine. This does not have to happen in a movie theater but if it happens at home, I am watching in my pajamas with the A/C on, under lots of blankets.

And that’s about all I can come up with so far. There are extraneous, optional items I would throw in if time allowed like a drive down PCH, wine tasting or popping into a museum.

But here’s the thing, I still feel like this day is lacking something really unique. Something with…. OOMPH. But maybe that’s the point? Maybe it’s supposed to be simple? Maybe what’s missing is some way to better incorporate the thoughts, feelings and ideas of my friends?

(Also, I think this day costs too much money but that’s the story of my life, right?)

Anyway, I’m going to keep thinking about it and I’ll let you know. I think it’s a lovely concept and do not be surprised if you see a follow up post packed with goofy selfies of me and my best friends annoying the quiet shoppers in a bookstore sometime soon.

And in the comments — I mean it — tell me: What is your Ultimate Day?

Out of the Darkness Walk in Santa Monica

October 18, 2016 By AJ 1 Comment

On Saturday, I walked among 1250 people in the Out of the Darkness Walk in Santa Monica. Together we raised more than than $130,000 that will go toward raising awareness and educating people about mental health-related issues and preventing suicide.

It was a tough space to be in. They gave out beads at registration. Colors that represented the walker’s tie to suicide such as “lost a friend,” “lost a child” or “supporting the cause,” etc. I felt like everywhere I turned, someone was wearing the face of someone far too young to die on their shirt. I saw too many arms go up when they asked everyone with the “lost a child” beads to raise them in the air. Suicide is the great equalizer, my friends. It does not know gender or race or age.

But I also saw smiles and hugs and strength in numbers. And while it was sad to see all of these people touched by such a sad, terrible thing, it was also empowering to see what we could do together to confront it.

And while it’s not a competition, I am still proud to brag that my team, which I co-captained with Alyssa, was the 8th highest fundraising team of 146 teams that joined in the day, raising nearly $3000 between us. I was the 16th highest individual fundraiser of 1250! None of that would have happened were it not for the support of some really incredible friends and family who contributed. THANK YOU. And thank you, Alyssa, Danielle, Naomi and Kelly for the… stroll. 😉

OTHER RESOURCES

Removing the stigmas attached to mental illness is imperative. I admire these celebrities who deal with it every day. And here are even more. If ever I wanted to shout “CELEBRITIES ARE PEOPLE, TOO!”….
Glenn Close actually co-founded an organization whose goal is to “end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness.” I am a big fan of Bring Change 2 Mind.
Princes William and Harry and Kate Middleton are working with “Heads Together.”
Amanda Seyfried just gave a rather serious and poignant interview about her own struggles.
In a previous post of mine, you’ll find other ways to seek help such as the National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273 TALK (8255) (or dial 911!)

And we’re just getting started…. If you’d still like to donate, the site is still up and we appreciate it — visit this page.

Wine and Cheese Mondays at Bow and Truss

August 17, 2015 By AJ Leave a Comment

Hey Angelenos, if you haven’t spent any time in the North Hollywood Arts District, you’re missing out on a ton of fabulous restaurants, bars, a great independent movie theater and a ton of little theaters and shops. I love pockets of LA where there’s a ton to do in walking distance.

I’m lucky because I get to call this particular pocket of LA “home.”

And if anyone is looking for me on Labor Day, as I close out the long weekend, you are likely to find me at Bow and Truss, where they are hosting wine and cheese tastings on the first Monday of every month. The restaurant typically features a Latin inspired menu but on these nights, expect to try wines from all over the world.

Everything is wonderfully laid out, too, so the anticipation builds from the moment you sit down. As everything begins to come out to the table, you really learn a lot about will power!

A couple tips. First of all, it’s a lot of wine and a little cheese so do not plan on this being dinner (unless you are prone to a drinkable dinner in which case, no judgement from me). Second, go with an open mind! I went in believing I’m a red wines only gal and was shocked to find the very first wine, Belasco de Baquedano Rosa de Malbec from Argentina, remained my favorite throughout the entire tasting. Why have I stayed away from rosé wines all these years? It was sparkling, cool and refreshing.

I must confess that true to form, I did not care for the white wines, one an Edna Valley blend and the other a California Sauvignon Blanc, but it was still fun to try them and they were still a good compliment to the cheeses they were paired with.

Pinot Noir is my favorite wine in general, so happily, wine #4, Poppy Pinot Noir from Monterey, did not disappoint, although the final wine, a Malbec, was my second-favorite overall.

I really enjoyed the cheeses, of course, and all for different reasons. The first one, a straveccio cheese, was similar to pecorino romano — something like that. It was a hard cheese but the most salty and flavorful of the night for me. The next cheese was duller flavored with some Rosemary to it, which I don’t usually care for, but it was subtle and was the only thing keeping me drinking the white wines. We also had a terrific aged white cheddar and I learned something — cheddar is naturally white. Anytime you eat yellow cheddar, it’s just food coloring. I guess that seems obvious but it never occurred to me before. The Golden Valley Ewe that came next was great as was the creamy, final cheese, which also had the fanciest name: Brebirousse d’Argent. I would describe it as a richer brie.

The restaurant has done a really terrific job putting this together. It is only $25 for the experience and I can’t believe how much value you get for that money. These were generous pours of high-end wines and sophisticated cheeses. Plus, their patio is a beautiful and perfect place to spend an evening if you want to be outside. It’s the best in the neighborhood and this would be fun to do as a couple with other couples, or just with a group of friends. I think it would be a fun girls night out.

Two giant, drunken thumbs up from me for wine and cheese Mondays at Bow and Truss. Check out their website for more details about reservations, their menu, this wine and cheese series and their other great events like movie nights on the patio.

MORE:

Located at 11122 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood
There is a rather pricey valet parking attendant out front which you may have to give into. Street parking is hard to find.
You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Thank you Bow and Truss for hosting me and my guest for this lovely event.

TeaPop LA Comes to NoHo

February 22, 2015 By AJ Leave a Comment

TeaPop LA has joined the ever-evolving NoHo Arts District in an attempt to redefine what we all think of as traditional tea time. It’s a welcome addition to the neighborhood, which is rife with small theaters, bars, restaurants, second-hand stores and other kitschy businesses but still has room for plenty more.

While most of the NoHo commerce seems to be swarming around Lankershim and Magnolia Boulevard, TeaPop went into a storefront on Vineland, which borders a colossal residential neighborhood part of North Hollywood. I don’t think it will feel too lonely there for long. There’s a lot of real estate along that road. For now, it’s sort of isolated on a corner but just to ensure you don’t miss it, the front is all giant windows and the exterior side-wall is covered in bright, brilliant graffiti art.

Inside, it’s pretty bare-bones. The space doubles as an art gallery and is available to rent as a venue for a multitude of purposes, so it’s really just whatever they’re featuring at the time on the walls and some really basic benches, chairs and tables sort of randomly strewn about. But that’s all secondary to a really spacious and rather unique back patio that should prove pretty popular on nice days.

The cafe serves fresh-brewed imported and organic tea in a very simple presentation. Nothing is expensive.

Of course, the best part is that, thankfully, it’s walking distance to where I live and the tea is delicious. I’ll walk over there for an iced almonilla milk tea anytime. The first time I went, the nice girl working the counter recommended it to me and it was a shrewd business move. She earned them a loyal customer at first sip!

P.S. (No Almonilla? Ok, fine… I’ll “settle” for the salted caramel black tea….)

National Holistic Institute – A Great Massage No Longer a Secret

February 18, 2015 By AJ Leave a Comment

I’m spilling the beans on a secret kept far too long. Or perhaps I am just the last to know.

The National Holistic Institute (NHI) on Studio City is a massage therapy college. It is not Burke Williams or even a spa at all. But it is a pleasant, clean space where you can get a bangin’ massage for a bargain price. While a rather posh, “five star” spa might require more than $100 for a 50 minute session, you will find at NHI you can enjoy a 50 minute session for a mere $25 and a fabulous 100 minute session for $50.

They don’t even accept tips, relieving you of that additional pressure at the conclusion of your session.

Let me be clear so no one is surprised! The only way I can think to describe the setting is that it’s like a hospital corridor. But I don’t mean that negatively. It’s just that it’s similar as in there are several massage tables in a large room, separated by curtains. Mind you, the curtains close all the way and physically, you have a very private space. It’s just that you are not in a private room with a closing door. You won’t find a spa lobby or locker room or sauna. Instead you will drape your clothes over a chair. (Yes, it’s a co-ed space but I promise, curtains drawn, no one can see you.)

You will be able to hear the other customers around you. More so if you wind up next to a “talker” but once you’re blissed out by the treatment, you’ll pay no mind to it. There’s some gentle music playing and it’s pretty soothing but you won’t even hear that eventually.

The massage I received was AMAZING. The massage therapists are in training, of course, but that never showed. My experience was wonderful and at the end, I had to make sure I got her name so I could keep track of where she ended up at the conclusion of her training.

In any case, what it boils down to is, you’re still getting top notch, five-star quality of service for an unbeatable value. If you find yourself feeling tense and dreaming of a nice, long massage but are always feeling hindered by the potential expense, this is a clear solution for you. And even if you can afford a Beverly Hills five-star spa, why spend the money there when it equates to five visits to NHI?

They have seven locations. Please check their website for additional information and to book an appointment.