February 20, 2006

• There are some spots unique to L.A. that really have to be seen to be believed. Even though you have read about them in the tourist L.A. guide books, the surrealness doesn’t hit you till you are there.

  
  

  
  The Museum of Jurassic Technology

  
  

  
  …is a dimly-lit little labyrinthian house with lots of glass-box miniature displays. There are hologram characters; vintage trailer models; amazingly-detailed microscopic collages; taxidermied animal parts; video documentaries about obscure scientific/medical theories; rotting dice (?); and many more ‘esoteric Victoriana’ sculptural displays next to plaques of quoted ancient text, that keep you wondering WTF am I looking at?

  One of the ancient medical displays proposed that (I can’t remember the details of where and when)  – If a child cuts his nails before he turns 11 and buries them under an Ash Tree, he will be gifted with a powerful singing voice. The display included an eerie choral recording – apparently, of children from that bygone century with nails buried under an Ash Tree! 

  I’ll admit that most of the uber-esoteric stuff went whoosh over our heads even though it was fun to be pushing buttons and peering through special eye-glasses and microscopes…

  

  
  My favorite display was a microminiature figure of Pope John Paul (and Goofy!) in the eye of a needle. (there’s a book on the subject)

  Definitely worth a repeat visit, or several. There was also a room with an ecclectic collection of old books for visitors to browse through freely. Then go and have dinner at India’s Sweets and Spices on Venice Blvd for cheap authentic curries and sweet treats.
  
  Links:
  - Museum website
  - Wikipedia: Museum of Jurassic Technology
  - Someone has a blog post on this Museum with pictures
  
  

  
  The Magic Castle

  
  

  
  …up in the Hollywood Hills is one of those exclusive member-invite only mansions and I was very lucky to receive an invitation via a friend of a Magical Arts Society hotshot. Here again – another piece of Old Hollywood kitsch!  Photography wasn’t allowed inside, so this one was taken in the lobby….

  

  
  The bookcase moves when you say “Open Sesame”.

  Inside there is a restaurant, several olde-worlde bars, and dark-wood / velvet-curtained parlour rooms where the magic stage acts are performed. On the walls are posters of Houdini and magicians I had never heard of. And paintings of swarthy-looking gentlemen wearing fezs or turbans, handling cheezy magic props that you remember from your childhood,  like “cup and ball” and “handkerchief”.

  Well, what can I say about the Magic Shows… The typical magic stuff mixed in with stand-up comedy. Playing card tricks, escape-from-bondage acts, materializing stuff out of thin air (like white doves, eggs and flowers), making things appear and disappear, comedy interaction with audience etc.

  The funniest part was when a very drunk guy who volunteered for the Chainsaw Act freaked out and forgot he was in Hollywood.
  

  The Houdini Seance might’ve been interesting but that was outside our budget. After seeing two Magic Shows, we headed downstairs to visit Irma, the Resident Ghost. (we were told that she can play ANY tune you ask for)  But alas… at 1am, she had already retired for the night. Damn!

  

  
  Would I go back? UM…. I don’t know….

  Links:
  - Magic Castle website
  - Fortean Times review
  - Article: How To Get Into The Magic Castle

  And for more L.A. kitsch, here is Eddie’s report on…

  Clifton’s Cafeteria
  
  

  
  Yes, that’s turkey mashed potatoes, peas, fruit punch & JELLO!

   

  Ah, Clifton’s — the legendary eating place that just screams ‘old Los Angeles’.  For full effect, you need to park near 4th and Broadway, and walk the couple of blocks down Broadway, past the cut price electronics and fashion stores.

  Suddenly there it is, a little oasis of yesterday in downtown LA.  Inside you get your tray and make your way through the rows of food on offer.  They had at least six different types of Jello, and I was torn…

  The dining area is awesome; Clifton’s has a rustic ‘backwoods’ feel.  Three levels of logs, bear, waterfall (!) and beaver.  There’s also a small chapel  you  can walk into, look at a small forest scene, press a button, and hear the voice of God. 

   

  Will I be back?  Is the Pope a former Nazi?

  Link: Clifton’s Cafeteria

  • 2:10 pm
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