MyPeopleConnection.com

MyPC Games Day Recap

2007-08-20T20:27:00.000-07:00

I hosted the MyPC Games Day last month and we had such a good time. Lots of beginners and experienced gamers made for quite an interesting mix. It started out around 11 AM and we played a few warm-up games.

Brian H. showed up and was immediately enticed into a game of Railroad Tycoon. He played a game with a Games Day veteran, Marty who was eager to share his RT knowledge! They were waiting for Scott to show up and then got down to business! Here is a picture of them playing...

Railroad Tycoon

We played tons more games including:

6 Nimmt!
With Jennifer (in green shirt), Ryan D., Caela L., Mitch G. and Tim E.

Caylus Magna Carta
With Mary T., Lana B., Ken K. (standing in the background), Erin G., and Aaron.

We played allllllll day and had a blast. We finished off the evening with a few games of Werewolf! The werewolves were very good and killed off all the villagers at least one time! There was a chain reaction at one point when the village lynched Ron R. who was a hunter and a lover of Tim E., who was a werewolf. So, with one lynching, they got Ron and Tim, who died of a broken heart, but then Ron got one more shot off and killed another person (I can't remember who). So with one lynching, three people ended up dying!! It was quite amusing!

If you haven't tried the game events, you should give it a shot. The games are really different from regular American board games which are very much luck-based. The games we play at these events are "Euro" games and are more strategy-based. I'm planning on posting another one and as soon as I do, I will put a link to this post!

Unemployment update

2007-07-25T23:21:00.000-07:00

Hey all! Yep, I'm still unemployed, even after 8-10 good interviews. Everyone asks me after an interview, "How did it go?" I'm not sure how to answer that! I usually walk out thinking that I said the right things, looked good and exuded confidence and reliability. Then, the rejection letter. ): The most frustrating thing is that I'm being rejected for jobs in recreation and child care, which is exactly what I've been doing for the past 10 years. How is that possible? I've decided it's all about WHO ELSE is applying.

Anyway, if anyone knows of a job working in a non-profit organization, a form of social work or human resources, or fundraising, please let me know! I'm hosting a 2nd meeting of the "Career Changers" in MYPC - those that have been fired or laid off, or are currently working but looking for that elusive dream job. Here's the link: http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn135239.html

Have a great week!
Shane M

Great events for Beginners and SMs alike in LA this weekend!

2007-07-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

Sunny LA can't make up its mind as to whether it wants to be in a heat wave or breezily comfortable in the low 80s this week. Good thing we've got Saturday and Sunday events that'll be fun whether you need a water fight to cool off afterwards or a sweater to fight off the chill.

Founder Jen T. and gamer extraordinaire Brian are hosting an awesome Summertime Scavenger Hunt on the west side on Saturday. Come on down, join a team, and do your best to solve all their tricky questions and clues while exploring Santa Monica.

Cool off Sunday afternoon at the giant Root Beer Float Social in NoHo, hosted by yours truly and The Jen, again. We'll enjoy frosty beverages, fun outdoor games, and getting to know each other at a big park featuring plenty of shade.

Whether you're on the west side or the east side, My People Connection's got the fun covered this weekend. See you there!

Unemployment is great!

2007-05-21T19:57:00.000-07:00

This is Shane M:
So I got laid off from my job in December and I was trying hard to time my job searching so that I could enjoy some time off that was paid by my former employer! It's working so far - I have 2nd interviews at both Target (store management position) and Special Olympics (Director job in Santa Clarita) and I have an initial interview with the LAUSD next Tuesday. Wish me luck!

I've always worked for non-profit organizations and now I am trying to expand my options into the for-profit world. I think I can make more money and then do my do-gooder volunteer stuff for fun. My experiences as an EC for MYPC and the great networking are practice for interviewing!

During my time off I've done some traveling, done a lot of naval-gazing and done some planning for MYPC events. The next really cool event I'm putting together with Stephanie K and some other volunteers is the Road Rally on June 16th. It's a really fun, crazy driving event around Burbank. Check out the event here. Find 3 friends and sign up!!

Think job thoughts for me please!! (:

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

2006-12-21T17:06:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays!

I want to take this moment to say a SPECIAL THANKS to everyone who has contributed to making My People Connection a success in 2006.

Thanks to all of our hard-working Event Coordinators who have made 2006 our BEST YEAR YET, with an average of 165 events a month in Los Angeles. You've put your whole heart into our club, and we appreciate your dedication.

Thanks, too, to all our members - new and veteran alike - who support our events by showing up, having fun, and meeting new friends while they explore our great city.

Also thanks to our Supporting Members who have financially contributed to the site, literally paying for our servers that all our members benefit from. Their contributions are worth far more than just the $40 a year they donate - without them, we wouldn't have a site.

Thanks to our Los Angeles City Administrator, Jackie, who has kept me sane for the past year while she approved all events, headed up our Event Coordinator (ECs) mentoring program, trained and upgraded our ECs, and co-chaired every fundraising event from inception to D-day. I can't believe she's only been a CA for a year, and she's an integral part of our team.

We also wouldn't be anywhere without our hard-working behind-the-scenes volunteer staff -- Peter, Devon, & Heather P have done a fantastic job on our site's coding and web design. We've counted on each of them for the day-to-day operations of our great site.

Finally, a special thanks to:

- Laura H and Trish D for their work in heading up the EC Support Team, creating a new EC Manual on our site, and creating a venues database as a future resource for ECs.

- Stephanie K and Shane M for planning our rollerskating fundraiser party and brainstorming future events.

- Rosemary C. who manages our exclusive partnership with Laemmle Theatres, including our Laemmle Movie Tuesdays that give our members 40% off tickets when they RSVP through our site for events and allow ECs to host for free. She's done a fantastic job of keeping track of ECs' movie picks, confirming, and posting their events.

- There are also dozens of folks -- too many to mention -- who've contributed to our success in the past year, attending our club-betterment meetings and sharing their great ideas. We appreciate all your help!

Have a great holiday, everyone!!

Good for a chuckle

2006-12-02T13:33:00.000-08:00

I've been on the back end of our site to check our hits after our "Your LA" NBC 4 story aired last Monday.

While I've learned that we had a moderate jump, I also was tickled by what random Google searches people use - and find OUR site. Who would believe our site was "just" about friends after reading these??

Disneyland pirates
don't forget to vote
feline circus
busty broads
assassins Emerson
san diego wedding planners
internal/external prostate massage
how to make a mannequin
november horror fest
recycled gift wrap
russian people
bill gates high school speech
skin bones parallel practices
christmas gag gifts
frog pond opening
uno stacko rules
batcave location
satanic clubs (Good god, people!)
peoples opinions of event coordinators
why people visit the museum
50s original chex mix
free sofa bed
what to write in holiday cards
carfax password
skateboarding event coordinator
jen tierney fashion (I didn't know they cared...)
wizard of oz corner
idiot central
butterflies santa barbara
chia pet gag
i'm a poor college student

Photos from our Arizona adventure

2006-11-22T13:30:00.000-08:00

Our trip to Arizona

2006-11-20T16:19:00.000-08:00

So I've been offline for a week to celebrate one year of being married (yay!) with a trip to the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Sedona, and Phoenix. What a whirlwind week. We had to pack for both freezing and sweltering weather -- it got down to 18 degrees at night in Flagstaff and up to 89 degrees in Phoenix. The Grand Canyon was awesome, of course!

My favorite lesser-known things on the trip?

Bookmans in Flagstaff. They're an independent book store that's actually a chain around Arizona (Flagstaff, Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson), and they've got a HUGE selection. It's the nicest used book store I've ever been to, and I wish Los Angeles had one! Bookmans in Phoenix even has a community room with tons going on - from book clubs to free yoga classes to Dungeons & Dragons marathons (with new folks welcome). The good news is it's only 5 hours away from West LA. ;-)

The Sugar Bowl ice cream parlor in Scottsdale. Their malts are amazing, their sundaes divine, and best of all, it's in an old-school sit-down soda shoppe straight out of the 1950s, with pink and white decor everywhere. The staff are as sweet as their confections, and they've now added on a gift shop. If you've seen the Family Circus cartoon family going to an ice cream parlor, they are going to the Sugar Bowl in Scottsdale.

Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff has a Wednesday night astronomy discussion and offers three telescopes (small, medium, and large) to show you the best of the night sky for just $4 with your AAA discount. The lack of light pollution shows even the naked eye far more constellations than LA, and an inexpensive 6" lens telescope that showed many distant star clusters was just $290 if you wanted to take one home.

Slideshow of our events

2006-11-12T23:28:00.000-08:00

LibraryThing

2006-11-12T16:21:00.000-08:00

I have to share one of my new passions - LibraryThing.com!

Jackie, our LA City Administrator, turned me onto them after I attended a few of her monthly book club readings. After cataloguing 200 of the books that I've read, I'm inspired to become a lifetime member for $25.

Join our My People Connection book group!

We're sharing ideas on how to run great book clubs, what books we're currently reading, etc. You can also see what books your friends have read, what readings you have in common with others, & lots more features.

I'm certainly guilty of being a little too close to my Tivo, so my early New Year's resolution is to read more. I'd love to see My People Connection kick off 2007 with a reading challenge for our members. Just keeping track of how much you're reading in one year's time can inspire you to read more, visit your local library more, and challenge yourself.

Dutch Language Tasting : Event Recap

2006-11-11T23:46:00.000-08:00

So, a lot of you know I host a monthly language tasting series where we dine out and learn a handful of phrases in a foreign language. We study a different foreign language each month - sometimes two!

Tonight we studied Dutch and went to the Indonesian restaurant, the Indo Cafe in Culver City. What a hidden gem! Indo Cafe has Indonesian food - which, as a former Dutch colony, is the closest we can come to Dutch food in LA. To go the extra mile, I even talked to the Dutch consulate in LA to confirm there were no authentic Dutch restaurants. Indo Cafe came highly recommended on Chowhound.com so I was curious to pay a visit.

Let me tell you a bit about the wonderful family-style feast we had.

We had two incredible shrimp dishes - "udang saus mentega" (shrimp sauteed with lemon, butter, worchestershire, and some lovely spice that was reminiscent of cumin) and "udang asam garam" (lightly batter-dipped shrimp with vegetables in a sweet n' sour style tamarind sauce). Very original and supremely tasty. The shrimp were extra-tender, not the overcooked variety you often see. Each dish generously doled out about 10 shrimp.

Indonesian Fried Rice was a lovely accompaniment, studded with a variety of chopped vegetables. We had two curries - "Ayam Kalio"- a chicken curry that was "okay." I guess the most disappointing part about the chicken curry was that it still had the bones, was a small chicken breast with little meat, and was difficult to share since it wasn't bite-sized. The curry sauce was nice but not as remarkable as many Thai curries are. The vegetable curry was easier to eat, but I probably wouldn't get it again.

The exquisite beef dish "Rendang," or spicy coconut beef, vied with the lemon-butter shrimp for our number-one dish of the evening. (In my book, it won!) We only ordered this dish as a side-note, since half our party did not eat beef. But boy, were they missing out. The beef was prepared with Indonesian spices that suggested more cumin and lighter notes, and it was quite a large portion for just $8.95. Coconut milk must have been used as a braise, and the tiny bit of sauce reduction was quite rich and creamy with a burst of spices. The beef had no bones or discernible fat - and it shredded easily to the fork. All of us who ate beef had seconds it was so tasty.

Two noodle dishes rounded out our dinner - "bihun goreng" or pan-fried vermicelli with chicken and "soun goreng" or pan-fried glass noodles with fried tofu and vegetables. The noodles seemed a bit too greasy, so I probably wouldn't order them again.

Dessert was a real adventure. No, seriously. You have no idea. And sadly, I was so in awe and all of us were poking, probing, and trying each other's desserts that I forgot to take pictures. Fool! But I'm already planning an event to go there just for dessert - well, maybe dinner wouldn't hurt, too. The beef is already calling me....

But back to dessert. I bit the bullet and ordered my first (and last) avocado milk shake with chocolate sauce. You have to venture outside your comfort zone, culinarily, or else you're destined to eat the same greasy noodles and never find the coconut beef. But this wasn't one of those times where I was pleased with the results. :-) Something about the strange combination of avocado and chocolate gave me an upset stomach on the ride home. But at least one other attendee loved this dessert drink.

Ask me what I'd get next time, and I'd answer unequivocally, the "es campur" for just $3.50. Our Filipina friend Christine says there's a dish in her culture that's similar - the English translation being "mix mix." What I'm about to tell you is going to sound WRONG. Which is why I didn't order it. But those who did hit the culinary jackpot. A combination of toddy palm, jackfruit, seasoned fruit, and jello topped with crushed ice with raspberry syrup and condensed milk, topped with fresh red beans.

It's beautiful to look at with all these layers of color - and it's overwhelmingly pink and looks like what a pre-teen girl's dream sundae would be. The crazy thing was the combination of flavors, specifically when you take some of the sauce with fruits. It's like eating how a flower smells. You know how jasmine tea can smell like a flower and not really taste like one? This was just the opposite. It didn't smell like anything, but it tasted like the most gorgeous flower.

Other adventurous folks ordered the "es kelapa" - a dessert drink with young coconut that was the texture of a firm creme brulee. Never seen anything like it! The young coconut pieces were at the bottom, and it was served with a cocopandan syrup that tasted like a mix of fresh coconut juice and raspberry soda. Very nice!

Overall, this is a GREAT restaurant, I would highly recommend again. Be on the lookout for my afternoon dessert party there! And next time, I'm getting photos...

Indo Cafe
10428 1/2 National Blvd.
Culver City
(310) 815-1290

Do you have any news to share?

2006-11-10T19:23:00.000-08:00

Off the top of my head, some member news I can share...

Jenn X and Peter should be SCUBA certified after their final dive tomorrow. I was envious until I heard about the really strong currents just off our coast here. Leave me to snorkel in Hawaii, please.
Watch out for Roslyn's upcoming "light lit" aka "chick lit" book club series starting every fourth Wednesday in January. The first book should be "He's Just Not That Into You" which should make for some interesting discussion! ;-) Roslyn's fairly new to the club, but already she's met her new best friend - Jen B.
Speaking of best friends reminds me I have to talk to Stephanie K and Shane M about our plans to host sometime early next year an "Amazing Race" in Burbank. This past week I thought it's something I'd :love: to do for our Vegas trip in January. But planning it would be crazy. I wonder if Vegas has some package deal we could get for an afternoon of racing fun & exploring the city?
Aileen H, our esteemed LA dim sum event coordinator, wrote to us last night from her new home Tucson where she's excited to bring some MyPC activities. Sounds from her email that Tucscon isn't exactly what she planned on - she's said there's more "meth heads" than LA because of the supply coming across the border. But it's still a company town with lots of folks (over 10,000 employees) from Raytheon.
Soon this first big blog entry is going to be like a "Jen free association" - because Raytheon reminds me of my favorite holiday story. Last December, I hosted a Salvadoran dinner at my favorite local spot - Gloria's, near Versailles on Venice Blvd. in Culver City. Twenty people joined us, we had two big tables, and I had met my "cosmic brother" Newton for the very first time over a big pitcher of sangria, which makes you love everybody at the table, heheh. Newton introduces me to his coworker Chris, and the three of us are chatting away over drinks when Aileen (the same Aileen as above) yells from the other table, "Hey, I've seen you in the elevator at work!" The guys laugh, because they recognize her and the friend she brought, another coworker from Raytheon. It's such a huge building, they had never known each others' names - and here there were, all a part of the same club - at the same event. What are the odds that 4 people out of 20 are all going to be coworkers who've never met?

Updating our blog

2006-11-10T18:04:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody - it's been ages since I've updated our blog, as Peter G has rightly said. Let me get some of our most recent news together so I can give you all an update this weekend. And if you have any news you'd like to share, drop me a line!

Tue 6/13 - Laemmle Movie Tuesday: "Prairie Home Companion" at Fallbrook 7 @ West Hills

2006-05-18T00:10:00.000-07:00

You can save up to 40% off Laemmle Theatre tickets for special movie night events when you RSVP on our website. It's a great way to save money, see your favorite films, & meet new friends!

About "A Prairie Home Companion"

Director Robert Altman and writer Garrison Keillor join forces with an all-star cast to create a comic backstage fable, "A Prairie Home Companion," about a fictitious radio variety show that has managed to survive in the age of television. On a rainy Saturday night in St. Paul, Minn., fans file into the Fitzgerald Theater to see "A Prairie Home Companion," a staple of radio station WLT, not knowing that WLT has been sold to a Texas conglomerate and that tonight's show will be the last. Shot entirely in the Fitzgerald, except for the opening and closing scenes which take place in a nearby diner, the picture combines Altman's cinematic style and intelligence and love of improvisation and Keillor's songs and storytelling to create a fictional counterpart to the actual "A Prairie Home Companion" radio show, which has heard on public radio stations coast to coast for the past quarter-century (and which, in real life, continues to broadcast). The result is a compact tale with a series of extraordinary acting turns.

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn133001.html

Sun 6/11 - "Jazz Dining Series" - 94.7 FM The WAVE's Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch @ Santa Monica

2006-05-18T00:08:00.000-07:00

Join me and fellow MyPCers for a some great jazz while enjoying some great food and champagne at this Santa Monica hot spot!

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn133020.html

Tue 6/6 - The Dazzling & Dangerous Aquarium @ Long Beach

2006-05-18T00:06:00.000-07:00

Beat the crowds at Long Beach's Aquarium of the Pacific by being my guest for a Members-only night. On these nights, attendance is usually light and you almost feel like you've got the place to yourself. Lorikeet Forest will be closed, and the lighting in some exhibits dims early. But the rest of the Aquarium is open, including Shark Lagoon and the shark and ray touch pools. As an extra bonus, come and see the brand-new "Dazzling and Dangerous" exhibit. The gift shop is open and everyone gets a 10% discount; the Coffee Cart will be serving snacks and beverages.

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn132647.html

Thu 6/8 - Thursday Night Book Group - "The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco @ Studio City

2006-05-18T00:03:00.000-07:00

Well before the all those books about a certain genius named Leonardo, Umberto Eco produced this book of intrigue, betrayal, mystery and murder. Religious, political and psychological under-tones are masterfully woven into this novel about a medieval European monestary. I hope that you'll take the time to read this classic and join us for a great discussion.

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn132455.html

Sun 6/4 - Marvel Super Heroes Science Exhibition at the California Science Center @ South Central LA

2006-05-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

On the pages of Marvel Comics, millionaire industrialist Tony Stark becomes Iron Man when he dons an armored suit of his own invention, increasing his strength by a factor of 90. And Spider-Man, who has delighted generations with his ability to scale walls, stops villains in their tracks with thin strands of synthetic webbing shot from his wrists.

Sound impossible?

As Stan Lee, chairman emeritus of Marvel Enterprises, would say, "Worry not, true believers." The "Marvel Super Heroes Science Exhibition," which opened Sunday at the California Science Center in Exposition Park, makes the case that, scientifically speaking, superhero powers aren't as far-fetched as they once seemed.

Using Marvel comic book characters as a jumping-off point, the exhibition explores achievements in science and technology via full-body, interactive experiences.

Although it's not the first time that comic book characters have been featured in a science museum, organizers say the Marvel show is by far the most expansive.

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn132767.html

Sat 6/10 - Lunch at Blossom (Optional) & Nightmares of Bunker Hill June Crime Bus Tour @ Los Angeles

2006-05-17T23:57:00.000-07:00

The 1947 project debuts its newest historic L.A. Crime Bus Tour, the downtown-themed Nightmares of Bunker Hill.

Featuring lively tales from the 1880s to the 1970s, Nightmares of Bunker Hill reveals the weird, old L.A. that's not there anymore and the badly-behaved people who didn't make the city great, but sure made it more interesting.

Crime Bus passengers will tour the old Italian/Mexican district (near modern day Chinatown) and visit the scenes of grisly bar fights, tragic suicides, opium dens and rumored hordes of buried treasure, and discover a mysterious local ghost story that's as elegantly spooky as any in England.

Then it's into the heart of the historic business district, where early Angelenoes go toppling into open sewers, toss bottles of acid at former lovers, torment their dentists, attempt to speak to the dead, find severed limbs in their backyards and spit tobacco juice on the backs of ladies' ball gowns.

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn132876.html

Sun 6/4 - Sunday at Nixon's Library @ Yorba Linda

2006-05-17T23:52:00.000-07:00

Situated in southern California just 15 minutes from Disneyland, the Nixon Library is a dramatic roller coaster ride through half a century of California, U.S. and world history!

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn133107.html

Sat 6/3 - Wanna Race? Indoor Electric Go Kart Racing @ Corona

2006-05-17T23:50:00.000-07:00

You, driving a Go Kart at 45 MPH! Need I say more? Only $23 for 14 LAPS!

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn133049.html

Fri 6/2 - "First Friday": The Daily Pint @ Santa Monica

2006-05-17T23:47:00.000-07:00

The Scene
There's nothing Hollywood about this Santa Monica dive, and the locals want to keep it that way. This hidden gem is a haven for anyone who just wants to kick back, enjoy a drink and hang out with friends. You will find most Pintgoers huddled around the bar chatting with the bartender or other patrons. But if you're looking for something with a tad more energy, the Pint can also be your playground. Darts, foosball, shuffleboard and pool will keep the sports fans cheering all night long. While playing, a jukebox pumps out classic rock and Top 40 hits. But it's not the music that attracts people to this Westside joint--it's the easygoing atmosphere.

The Draw
The mixed crowd is filled with regulars, and they welcome new patrons as long as the pub never becomes a "scene."

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn132794.html

Fri 6/2 - Dinner at Fu Shing @ Pasadena

2006-05-17T23:18:00.000-07:00

Join me for dinner at this venerable Szechwan restaurant in the eastern reaches of Pasadena. The menu features a wide variety of authentic dishes (e.g., seafood fire pot, seven kinds of cold cuts platter, eggplant in hot garlic sauce), as well as more traditional choices for the not-so-adventurous. And I’m not kidding when I say that the tea smoked duck I had there was one of the best things I have ever tasted.

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn133043.html

Sun 5/21 - Strawberry Festival at Oxnard

2006-05-17T23:15:00.000-07:00

Strawberry Lovers Unite!!! Time to make the pilgrimage to Oxnard.

Each year strawberry lovers unite for the premier outdoor event tempting any appetite for fun.

This multi-faceted celebration also serves up a menu of delectable strawberry delights, along with non-stop entertainment, Strawberryland For Kids, gooey contests for berry lovers of all ages, and more.

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn129947.html

Sun 5/28 - "X-Men: The Last Stand" Movie Night in Downtown LA & Pasadena

2006-05-17T23:11:00.000-07:00

Catch a great movie with new friends & fellow movie lovers.

You can save up to 40% off Laemmle Theatre tickets for special movie night events when you RSVP on our website. It's a great way to save money, see your favorite films, & meet new friends!

About "X-Men: The Last Stand"

Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) leads his team of misunderstood mutants (Hugh Jackman, Shawn Ashmore, Halle Berry, Daniel Cudmore, James Marsden) against a new government plan to eliminate genetic mutations once and for all. Meanwhile, a former teammate, Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), has crossed over to the dark side, led as always be Ian McKellen's evil Magneto. The direction is in the sure hands of Brett Ratner (Red Dragon).

Director : Brett Ratner
Cast : Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin

RSVP and more info (Pasadena):
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn133089.html

RSVP and more info (Downtown LA):
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn133091.html

Wed 5/31 - The Groundlings Present The Crazy Uncle Joe Show @ Hollywood

2006-05-17T23:08:00.000-07:00

The Crazy Uncle Joe Show is a side-splitting exercise in long form improv by the world-famous Groundlings. No games. No director. Just funny.

"Chicago has Second City. New York has the Upright Citizen's Brigade. And Los Angeles has the Groundlings." Los Angeles Times

"The troupe offers some of the quickest, cleverest improv in town." CitySearch.com

The Groundlings Theatre is considered a breeding ground for comedians, presenting original skits, music and improv. Alumni include Jon Lovitz, Phil Hartman, Pat Morita, Lisa Kudrow and Paul Reubens, who created his PeeWee Herman character here.

RSVP and more information:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn132979.html

Sun 5/21 - Philosophy-in-LA Discussion Group & Dinner @ Santa Monica

2006-05-17T23:04:00.000-07:00

A fascinating discussion of a pre-determined philosophical question, followed by informal conversation over food and coffee...what more could you want?

If you love a good, impassioned, yet respectful and reasoned discussion, join us for our monthly Philosophy-in-LA discussion group! We meet on the 3rd Sunday of every month, which is this Sunday, May 21 at 5:30pm.

For those who'd like to join us, we'll grab a bite afterwards at a nearby coffeehouse or restaurant to recharge our brains.

1) WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO UNDERSTAND SOMETHING?

2) THE RED PILL OR THE BLUE PILL? In the first Matrix movie, Keanu Reeves is given the choice to take the red pill or the blue pill—to go back to his comfortable, pleasant but illusory life within the matrix or emerge from the illusion of the matrix to live in the real but unpleasant world. Which pill would you choose, and more importantly, why?

3) PRIVACY VERSUS SECURITY: HOW DO WE DECIDE WHICH TAKES PRECEDENCE? A case in point is the current brouhaha about the National Security Agency policy of wiretapping (and "data-mining") phone and internet communications, especially those between Americans and people in other countries. How do we weigh the relative importance of our "right" to privacy against our "right" to security?

4) E.T. AND GOD: CAN EARTHLY RELIGIONS SURVIVE THE DISCOVERY OF LIFE ELSEWHERE IN THE UNIVERSE? What happens to our religions, and their adherents, if and when we discover, or are visited by, intelligent life?

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn133140.html

Eight Months; 2000+ Events

2006-05-17T22:59:00.000-07:00

In October 2005, My People Connection celebrated our five-thousandth event with a swanktastic party in Toluca Lake. Five thousand is, well, a pretty big number, and we were pretty darn pleased at how strong and solid our group had become. Our festivities drew nearly three hundred people (even we lost count!), and we celebrated into the night, toasting the success of MyPC.

But we're not ones to rest on our laurels. Here we are, a mere eight months later...and, at the press time of this newsletter, the event counter on our front page is hovering at 6970 events...we're about to hit the seven thousand mark, folks!

Two thousand events in eight months is, simply put, mind-boggling. From humble beginnings, MyPC has grown in size and momemtum like the proverbial ball of snow rolling down the mountainside. And we're not stopping: there's no cliff to drop off or hapless cabin to smash into at the bottom of this mountain. There's a ramp, and we've already launched off and escaped the atmosphere, we are a comet soaring through space, still growing, still accelerating; every charged particle a member like you, brought together with the gravitational pull of events and friendship.

We owe tremendous thanks to our outstanding Event Coordinators,here in Los Angeles as well as our sister city ECs. Their planning and hosting skills have made this group what it is today. Remember, every one of our seven thousand events had an EC! Our Supporting Members also deserve a shout out. Their donations literally pay for our web hosting and other costs.

If we climbed from five thousand to seven thousand events in eight months, how soon do you imagine we'll hit eight thousand? Or nine? Or our ten thousandth event? What phenomenal party to end all parties will we throw to celebrate that milestone? What metaphors will we pull out in that newsletter? I don't think any of us knows yet (though at the rate we're growning, maybe we better start planning!). Regardless, it's gonna be a great road to get there, with plenty of dinners, hikes, movies, museums, plays, game nights, cookie swaps, shows, book clubs, walks, whale-watchings, spa days, yard sales, scavenger hunts, and more. And we're glad to have you along for the ride.

Discover Orange County

2006-05-17T22:52:00.000-07:00

Way back when, before we had a
website or profiles and we sent out our newsletter from an AOL account over a 56k modem, My People Connection was called LA People Connection. The name fit at the time: though we were a rapidly-growing network of friends, pretty much everyone lived in Los Angeles, and nearly every event happened in the city.

Flash forward a few years, and we've taken over The Southland, with events across the map: stretching up to Santa Barbara, inland past Corona, over sea to Catalina, and south to Temecula. Though we'd become the largest free social network of friends in Southern California, the name "LA People Connection" wasn't enough anymore. Though our name change was a simple two letter substitution, it represented a greater goal for our group: to create a community of friends that extended beyond any one city.

Which brings us to Orange County. Though much-misrepresented in public opinion and the media, the second-most populous county in the United States has tons to offer...and we've got dozens of events each month to prove it! Whether you live or work in Orange County, or are just looking to meet new people and explore new places, if you're not checking the the Orange County calendar, you're missing out.

Take a look at this week's events around the 714: we've got a free movie screening, a potluck dinner, karaoke with $2 cheeseburgers, and dollar bowling with $1 shoe rental.

Your MyPC username allows you to RSVP for any of our events, no matter where. So don't miss out on a dinner, party, movie, hike, or museum just because you didn't check the Orange County events calendar. Take a look beyond the orange curtain, and hopefully we'll see you at an Orange County event soon!

Wed 5/24 - Dinner at Dominic's @ West Beverly

2006-05-17T22:48:00.000-07:00

So, you won't ever be a member of the Rat Pack...but you can eat like you are! Dominick's has been at this location since 1948 and is one of the last remaining Rat Pack haunts. The place has been made over in a 50's Retro style that even the Chariman of the Board would approve of (he was once a regular!). So join me for a great Italian dinner at this Hollywood institution.

WHEN: Wed 5/24 at 6:30PM

RSVP and more info at:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn132948.html

Tue 5/23 - Laemmle Movie Tuesday: "Sketches of Frank Gehry" at Monica 4 Plex @ Santa Monica

2006-05-17T21:04:00.000-07:00

Meet new friends as you share a great independent film at our midweek movie nights.

About "Sketches of Frank Gehry"

Frank Gehry is that rare kind of architect who has garnered both critical acclaim and popular recognition. His designs dramatically blur the line between art and architecture; his sketches and models are the basis for dynamic structures and unpredictable interiors. Gehry’s friend‚ Sidney Pollack‚ directs this film; akin in nature to Gehry’s own impromptu‚ free-hand style‚ the two men appear on film together‚ capturing this shy‚ elusive artist and illuminating his innovative process--including expansive depictions of Gehry’s most important architectural wonders across the globe.

You can save up to 40% off Laemmle Theatre tickets for special movie night events when you RSVP on our website. (Tickets are just $6!) It's a great way to save money, see your favorite films, & meet new friends!

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn132978.html

Wed 5/31 - Classic Films/Historic Theatres - "The Mark of Zorro" at the Los Angeles Theatre @ Downtown LA

2006-05-17T21:01:00.000-07:00

LA Conservancy celebrates two decades of presenting classic films and live entertainment in the historic movie palaces of Los Angeles. introducing thousands of Angelenos to these unique architectural treasures. This year’s series celebrates the city itself, with films featuring Los Angeles as site and/or subject. All films will be shown in downtown’s Broadway historic theatre district, which has the highest concentration of historic theatres in the country.

The Mark of Zorro
(20th Century Fox, 1940, 94 minutes, black/white)

Experience nineteenth-century Los Angeles with the swashbuckling masked hero Zorro (Tyrone Power) in this classic 1940 tale of romance and adventure. The dashing Power battles sinister Basil Rathbone to save Los Angeles from the oppressive Spanish alcalde (mayor), while winning the heart of heroine Linda Darnell. Directed by Rouben Mamoulian, the film received an Oscar nomination for Alfred Newman’s original score.

Print and film still courtesy of 20th Century Fox and UCLA Film and Television Archive.

Additional Special Program: 1936 film tour of 20th Century Fox Studios.

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn132921.html

Tue 5/23 - Bag Groceries for AIDS Project L.A. @ North Hollywood

2006-05-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

Help APLA by bagging groceries for its Necessities of Life Program!

This is a great first event! It's fun, it's productive and you meet great people! I've met most of my favorite MyPC people at this event. That being said... Here's more about the event!

The Necessities of Life is one of the services offered by AIDS Project L.A.

They provide pre-bagged food to low-income qualifying individuals who are living with HIV/AIDS.

Join me to help APLA to pre-bag the food so that it can be distributed to their clients.

After we work up an appetite, we may want to grab a bite to eat! There's a Peruvian place around the corner that is pretty good, so that will probably be our dinner destination! The cost for dinner should be in the $10-20 range depending on what you order.

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn129912.html

Thu 5/25 - Women's Weekly Westside Walk @ West LA

2006-05-17T20:52:00.000-07:00

Busy work week? Gym sounding boring? We've got your exercise fix! One hour, once a week, just women. It's the quickest event ever! :-D Get in shape and help your body feel great.

I love walking...but I hate walking alone. Join me for a one-hour walk on the Westside -- just for women.

We've all got busy lives: let's spend an hour of our Thursday evening getting a little exercise and enjoying each other's company, instead of vegging out in front of the TV! So come be healthy, and make some new female friends.

PETS AND KIDS WELCOME (under your supervision of course). :-)

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn132811.html

WHEN: Thu 5/25, 7PM-8:30PM

Thu 5/25 - Evening Urban Hike and Coffee @ Glendale

2006-05-17T20:33:00.000-07:00

Join Stephanie and friends for a brisk hike into the hills of Glendale for a view that rivals the peaks of Griffith Park. All on sidewalks and roads.

We start at 7pm sharp, please take into account traffic and parking times.

After the hike, we'll grab dinner or just a coffee. Across the street there is a Coffee Bean, Quizno's, McDonald's and Babu's (gyro and falafel).

Note: This hike is not recommended for anyone with weak ankles or knees. It is steep, especially on the way down.

WHEN: Thursday, 5/25 6:45 PM - 9:00 PM

RSVP & more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn132883.html

Sat 5/21 - NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Open House @ Pasadena

2006-05-17T20:29:00.000-07:00

Ever wanted to imagine yourself on the moon, explore the surface of Mars, or race around the world from the Space Shuttle? Join me to explore the wonderful work our men and women are doing at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to make our dreams of extraterrestrial exploration possible.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, invites you to "Explore New Worlds" without leaving Southern California. The laboratory will open its doors during its annual Open House on Saturday and Sunday, May 20th and 21st, from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Join my karmic brother Newton as he takes you on an Open House tour of NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab. He's a super-friendly guy, and if it's your first event, you can't go wrong.

WHEN: Saturday 5/20 at 09:00 AM

RSVP & more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn133121.html

Sat 5/21 - See "The Da Vinci Code" @ Pasadena

2006-05-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

You can save up to 40% off Laemmle Theatre tickets for special movie night events when you RSVP on our website. It's a great way to save money, see your favorite films, & meet new friends!

Tickets are just $6 each when you RSVP on the My People Connection website.

About "The Da Vinci Code"
The murder of a curator at the Louvre reveals a sinister plot to uncover a secret that has been protected since the days of Christ. Only the victim’s granddaughter and Robert Langdon‚ a famed symbologist‚ can untangle the clues he left behind. The duo become both suspects and detectives searching for not only the murderer but also the stunning secret of the ages he was charged to protect.

Director : Ron Howard
Cast : Tom Hanks‚ Jean Reno‚ Audrey Tautou‚ Alfred Molina‚ Ian McKellen

RSVP and more info:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn132952.html

Fri 5/20 - Drinks on the Westside

2006-05-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

My good friend and fellow Mar Vista resident Rosemary C is planning a great event for this Friday.

Join us in West LA at Saints and Sinners, a funky little neighborhood dive bar in Palms (10899 Venice Blvd.). We'll be there after 8pm. Meet some new friends in Los Angeles & come end your work week with us!

RSVP and more info here:
http://www.mypeopleconnection.com/eventn132799.html

My People Connection blog is now live!

2006-05-17T15:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome to My People Connection's first-ever blog!

For years now, I've been accosted by friends who are addicted to Live Journal or MySpace or Blogger, and they've asked "When are you going to get your own, Jen?"

So I've finally jumped on the bandwagon. If you can't beat em, join em! :-D