Rate this NE LA urban art

Urban art on Figueroa

I took this picture with my camera phone this morning, but I might go back for another shot with my regular camera later.

Rate this urban art, or add your own urban art

Rate your crazy car art

Now that's crazy

I don't even like putting bumper stickers on my car. Yet, many others turn their car into a piece of art. OK. Maybe art is too strong of a word. Then again art is in the eye of the beholder.

More tagging with style

And only on a public picnic table

Here's some more tagging, but again, at least this tag has some style.

Rate this graffiti and add your own graffiti.

Modern cave art

Have we really progressed?

Here's some cave art I saw this morning.

Rate my latest mobile phone photo and add your own mobile photos

Cool graffiti lettering

Better than tagging

A piece of cool lettering on the wall behind Mr.Ts in Highland Park.

Have any cool graffiti lettering? Show and rate your graffiti art.

Rate my mobile phone photography

Here's one of my latest pictures.

Is it bigfoot or a surfer? Just kidding, but this image makes me think about bigfoot, isn't that odd?

Rate my mobile phone photos or upload your own mobile phone photos

Example of cool tagging?

At least its artistic?

I've been pretty clear about my thoughts on tagging. Nonetheless, at least this kind of tag is artistic.

Have any cool tags? Show us, but show us on a canvass or piece of paper - not only public or someone elses private property.

Rate your graffiti tagging

Rate the Sandcastle Inn - Pismo Beach

A dog friendly hotel

I checked into the Sandcastle Inn last night. Located in Pismo Beach, California, a very dog-friendly town, the Sandcastle is one of the few dog friendly hotels in Pismo, and its located right on the beach.

Finish: Rate the Sandcastle Inn - Pismo Beach

Bad customer service at Office Max Pasadena

Just plain bad service

So, I needed a to put together some business cars for a last minute business project. After looking around, I was pretty impressed with a the Do It Yourself Business Card program OfficeMax offered. More important they offered a 3 day rush delivery service for $30.00.

And it all went down hill from there.

Finish: Bad customer service at OfficeMax in Pasadena

Rate the Eclipse Solar Messenger

No laptop charging?

Has anyone tried the Eclipse Solar Messenger? For just a little less than $200.00, is the Eclipse solar charger worth the cost?

Rate the Eclipse Solar Messenger

Conscience Consumption - How Much is it Worth?

Do you care about slave labor, or only the cheapest price?

Would you pay more for a chocolate bar if it was ethically produced and profits were distributed fairly?

Finish: Conscious Consumption - How much is it worth?

More urban art

The life of the graffiti artist

Here's the latest urban art upload.

Check out more or upload your own urban.

Rate El Arco Iris - Los Angeles

Rate El Arco Iris - Highland Park, Los Angeles

I've been coming to the El Arco Iris restaurant for more than a decade. A lot has changed in that time. A lot hasn't.

I love coming here for happy hour margaritas. I love the burritos, especially the carnitas, and I love coming on weekend mornings for the huevos rancheros topped with their tasty chile verde.

Finish: Rate El Arco Iris - Los Angeles

Rate your street art

Rate your favorite urban art

Everyday I walk down the streets of my neighborhood, and I see cool art everywhere.

Advertisements. Bus stops. The walls of stores. Sculptures. Water features. Even some cool graffiti here and there.

Rate your favorite street / urban art

Lottery can be predicted?

A Wisconsin couple thinks and they have winnings for proof

With more than a million dollars in their pockets, a Wisconsin couple believes they've figured out a way to predict the lottery.

Finish: Lottery can be predicted?

Should the drinking age be lowered?

Could it reduce binge drinking?

There is a move spreading in the Nation's college system to lower the drinking age. Advocates claim that students on college campuses are drinking regardless of the drinking age, but because they cannot go to clubs and bars, they are instead binge drinking at beer keg parties (I know I did when I was in college).

Finish: Should the drinking age be lowered?

Rate East 46 - Pasadena

Pasadena's not so new sushi restaurant

Not long ago I stopped at Barcelonas for some sushi. Yesterday, I stopped by again for some sushi, only this time it wasn't called Barcelona, but East 46. Still, it was the same sushi chef and the same sushi menu - for the most part.

Finish: East 46 - Pasadena

Obama love: Is it a problem for the media?

On the cover again

When it comes to the mainstream media, it seems there is little journalistic integrity left. Everyone is biased. Obviously, it started with Fox, which has an obvious affinity towards the 'right' and Republicans.

But, it doesn't end with Fox.

Finish: Obama Love - Is it a problem for the media

Dogs have morals?

Living with humans has changed dogs

Dogs have morals according to recent scientific research. Does your dog act like it has morals? Does it communicate with you?

Finish: Dogs have morals

Rate Gordon Biersch - Pasadena

The greatest patio dining in Pasadena

No, you can't people watch as much at Gordon Biersch as much as you can at many Old Town Pasadena restaurants, but its still the greatest patio for casual dining.

Finish: Rate Gordon Biersch - Pasadena

Worst Congress in decades?

Time to pass some legislation?

No Congress has passed fewer laws in decades than the current session in Congress. Yet, aren't we facing a financial crisis? An energy crisis?

Rate Congress

Rate organic food: Is it healthier and greener?

Do you eat organic food?

A lot of people eat organic food because they think it is more healthy. A new study questions that belief, but still results in more questions than answers.

Finish: Rate organic food: Is it healthier and greener?

It's sunday _081708

Just another beautiful day in Socal

If you know old town Pasadena, then you know where I am right now as I take this picture. If not, that's your bad, not mine. Anyway, its a completely fricken beautiful day in Pasadena, California.

So, how is your Sunday going?

Rate your mobile phone photography

Rate your camera art

I shoot a lot of pictures with my phone. Its not that I consider myself a photographer, I just like taking photos and it's easier to carry my phone, rather than a camera. Yet, a phone camera is very limiting. Still, life is full of great shots. Shot any good pictures with your camera lately?

Click here to rate your mobile phone photography

Tagging: Graffiti for those without talent

Art for idiots?

In my Notheast LA neighborhood, graffiti is a part of the local culture, and there are some fantastic graffiti pieces throughout. Unfortunately, most of the graffiti is just tagging.

Now much of the tagging in my neighborhood is gang related. Gangsters claiming their territory. While I don't condone, at least there is some warped rationale behind their tags.

Yet, there is far more tagging than just that from gangsters. Countless taggers are seeking fame from scratching their tag in as many places as possible.

Finish: Tagging - Graffiti for those without talent

Rate your day - Friday 081508

Just got canned

I stepped into the 35er and ran into this interesting scene. This is Yoli's new desk - her way of dealing with the fact that she just lost her job. I sure hope that's a strong drink.

Finish: Rate your Friday

Rate this sidewalk art

I know that feeling

Check out this chalk art on the sidewalk in Pasadena, CA.

Have any good sidewalk art?

Rate your sidewalk art. Click here to upload your sidewalk art now

Rate your photography - College

College themed photography

We're looking for pictures that symbolize, even define, the college experience. This picture pretty much summarizes my college experience.

What would define your college experience? Show us with a photo.

Upload your college photo

Rate your day 081408

Grilling my dinner

So I had a pretty productive day, and now I'm having a cold one and BBQing some chicken.

It's friday tomorrow. Still, .....

Finish: Rate your day

Rate your day 081208

On the Metro in a rush

I have a conference call in less than 45 minutes, and I'm at least 35 minutes from home. Yes, it's my fault. I was out trying to get a picture that represents the best of mobile photography. Then again I'm not a photographer.

Finish: Rate your day 081208

Rate the Yardhouse in Pasadena

Best happy hour in town

I eat at the Yardhouse a lot, but almost always during happy hour, which runs from 3 to 6. A very varied selection of appetizers for half off. Umm, umm tasty. And did you see all those taps?

Finish: Rate the Yardhouse in Pasadena

No more green shopping at Macys?

Macy's green leaves have already fallen?

I was killing a little time before lunch, so I stopped by Macys to see if they had any new green offerings.

Finish: No more green shopping at Macys?

The Bucket in Eagle Rock

A northeast LA tradition

I've been going to the Bucket in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of LA for many years. In fact, my comadre (godmother white folks) once owned this place. So, my roots go back a long way.

Anyway, the Bucket is a burger joint.....

Finish: The Bucket in Eagle Rock

Rate your day 081008

How's your Sunday?

Im home alone today and I spent as much time as I could doing work. So, Im out and about right now trying to blow of some Sunday stress. Thus I can't complain right. I've got a cold one in front of me and a little Van Morrison is playing in the background courtesy of the Yardhouse. Ill probably have one more and to the 35er before catching the Goldline back home.

Finish: Rate your day 081008

Start interacting with RateYours

Rate my beard, or rate your art

So, I've been away from the Rateyours.com blog because I've been working a on new Rateyours.com. The goal is to get you involved. For example, you can rate my beard or upload a picture of your own beard for others to rate. Or, you can rate some art, or upload a picture of your own art for others to rate.

And, even better, this is just the beginning. Once we finish getting the bugs out of the new Rateyours, we're going to be hosting a number of contests and looking for bloggers.

So, stay tuned, and in the interim, rate my beard or rate some art.

Rate El Torito in Pasadena, CA

A good place for Mexican food

I go to El Torito in Pasadena every time I shop at Best Buy. Is it because El Torito has some of the best Mexican food in Pasadena? No.

Let's be honest. This is Southern California. I can find some of the best Mexican food, at the cheapest prices, at one of my local taco trucks. Still, sometimes you want sit down at a comfortable restaurant and have an Americanized-version of Mexican food.

Finish: Rate El Torito in Pasadena, CA