Ajumma's Pad: May 2015

Friday, May 15, 2015

They got my hair right

A few weekends ago I was on the Huntington Beach pier. HB had notable waves that Sunday and skilled surfers were out in droves on the northside. One kid stood out. He was taking all sorts of waves, even ones other surfers were ignoring. His pop up was interesting to me in that he'd appear get up late, almost where I thought he was going to miss the wave. But then he'd be on his feet and tearing shit up. I had no idea who he was but he was so damn steezy. Being the dork I am I wrote a "Hey You!" to OC Weekly and they published it. God, I wonder if I looked as creepy in real life as I do in the little illustration. They got my hair right though!

Update: It turns out the brilliantly awesome surfer who has nudged Nathan Fletcher down one notch in my list is a young pro from Huntington Beach (and number 22 on Surfer's Hot 100).

The Muppets are coming back to TV

I'm about to embark on watching Game of Thrones and Black Mirror this weekend. (My coworkers insist Game of Thrones is "the best show ever.") My husband has pointed out that most of what I get into on TV involves dark themes of drugs and violence. Listen, Mister, The Muppets are returning to prime time TV this fall and I'll be all into that. Is there going to be drugs or violence on The Muppets? I suspect we'll see some violence, like Crazy Harry causing explosions, Marvin Suggs and his Muppaphones, and Miss Piggy socking Kermit. But unlike The Wire, I won't experience post-traumatic stress syndrome upon completing a season. Welcome back, guys!

Notes from the trailer:

Witty writing
Even Kermit hates the 405
I still miss Jim Henson

More: Everything We Know About ABC's The Muppets So Far (Vulture)

Previously:

Jim Henson tribute at Nucleus

The Muppets are totally wired

The Muppets Sing-along

Tough Pigs

Thursday, May 14, 2015

I'd totally live here: Woodsy in Pasadena

We're going house-heavy these days on Ajumma's Pad. In the time I've spent away from blogging (long enough where I forgot my password) I've been scouring real estate. A decade ago I was all about midcentury modern residences. Lately I am more drawn to bungalows and craftsman styles. However, I still have a soft spot in my heart for 50s and 60s architecture.

I'd snap up this 1955 three bedroom, two bathroom house (built over a creek) in Pasadena in a heartbeat. It sold back in November for a whopping $1,450,000. I didn't save how much sellers were asking last fall but I recall it was over a million.

This post and beam house occupies 1680 square feet on a half-acre lot. It's built over a creek in a wooded neighborhood. I am on the fence about the concrete floors, but that is about it. I love this house! It reminds me of the California-style 60s home I grew up in complete with a rocky creek flowing through the backyard.

The house has a tastefully remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, and central AC.

I imagine weekend mornings in the kitchen as sunlight drips in, sipping tea on the patio, and naps on the sofa as breezes drift through the living room to the backyard. If only I had 1.5 million stashed away.

I had the thought that if I lived here I'd have to diligently watch my chihuahua in the yard so he didn't get snatched by coyotes.

Previously at The Pad:

I'd totally live here: Traditional in Whittier
I'd totally live here: Naples

I'd totally live here: Bluff Park

I'd totally live here: Hong Kong
I'd totally live here: Ortega-Vigare adobe
Heck yeah, I'd live here: Echo Park

Other home features:
Newport Beach cottage makeover
Neutra home my idea of heaven
San Diego Cinderella home for sale
One house, three exteriors
Venice home restaged, back on market
Dream midcentury house: 1966 post and beam

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

AAAA alert!

Awesome Asian American Artist (born in Texas, yeehah!) Christina Song knows her way around paper and an X-Acto-knife. Check out her work.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

I'd totally live here: Traditional in Whittier

There was a two-year period in my life where I loved my job so much that on Monday mornings I'd bound out of bed thinking, 'I get to go to work today!' That job was at Whittier College where I supported brilliant and able faculty in the Department of Education. I consider Whittier (a city tucked into the Puente Hills about 15 miles east of downtown LA where the 60 meets the 605) my hometown in California. I love its Quaker-founded college, its diversity, how it feels like a small town, and its proximity to San Gabriel Valley and DTLA.

I'd gladly move back to Whittier into this 1938 gem which boasts 2952 sq ft. The classic home has been on the market for about year. It's a traditional 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with a living room, den, formal dining, eat-in kitchen, attic, and (gasp) a basement. It features wainscoting, crown molding, 2 fireplaces, ample storage, and copper plumbing. Plus this house includes my must-haves of central AC (it gets HOT in Whittier), washer-dryer hookups, and off-street parking. (There's a two car garage and a long driveway). You'll also find gardens along the back and side of the home.

If I bought this house I'd paint the front door either dark green, black, or red. I'd also add a U.S. flag at the front entry.

I love this little porch on the font of the home.

Pretty, wide plank wood flooring

The sellers are asking $839K for the home. I could see it selling for $800K. I suspect it's a little slow in selling because buyers may not be able to look past its older decor, the fact it doesn't have a pool, and that the house sits right on Mar Vista St. which is a thorough fare for commuters. Traffic zooming past the house will be thick every morning and evening. I personally like the unspoiled interiors, even the blue tile in the original kitchen.

Update: This house has a sale pending! I hope it's to someone who appreciates the home's architectural details.

Previously at The Pad:

I'd totally live here: Naples

I'd totally live here: Bluff Park