David Given Schwarm

Married, Father, United

Tag: Review

  • Pirates of the High Seas

    Lisa, Jack, Kate, my Mom, and I went to see this kids classical concert at the New Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. It is not that new, but the have added a new sculputure since I was last there in November.

    The sculputure is horrible and actually detracts from the awesome architecture. Additionally, they have added some white flagstone sitting areas that look horrible.

    The concert ruled–lots of ocean classical stuff, ended with Yo-Ho Yo-Ho A Pirates Life For Me from the Pirates of the Carribean. The kids really enjoyed it.

    Afterwards, we had lunch at Macaroni Grill which ruled and then went to California Scenario by Naguchi which is still one of my favorite art pieces in Orange County.

    A great time was had by all.

  • Flushed Away

    Saw this with Lisa, Jack, & Kate. Lindsay & Scott were in the theater–which was completely filthy with trash (it had not been cleaned all day).

    The movie was good–the soundtrack was better–the Dandy Warhols were actually used!

    The character Sid was fantastic, a rude gutter rat who moves in–very comical and meaningful to the entire film–Sid is the one who forces the main character to be honest.

    My mom was staying with us this weekend and the movie was a great family break.

  • Getty


    Lisa, Jack, Kate, and I went to the Getty on Friday night. It was a total blast. We drove up around 2:00 PM — it took ~two hours to get there because of traffic, but that was even OK because we spent the entire time listening to the Beatles and talking.

  • Vincent Desderio – Sleep

    I am really excited about Sleep. A picture that I really think that I understand–how it plays with past painting, how it move painting in some direction. The creativity and the precision. The very real desire to intend something.

    The book I have includes an excellent article on the painting, that stresses the linguistic effort that Desderio goes through to make paintings into something–the progress of his art, the unfinished aspect of this painting–all sorts of good stuf.

    I have been talking a lot about his painting of his son, in which he attempts to magically make his son healthy by using art as wish fulfillment, or something. He paints his son, healthy, stepping from the canvas–I do not know if this helped the kid, but I do know that it helped Desderio. I am not sure how to measure if it helped the kid since all this may be interrelated. Something very interesting is going on.

    Sleep, on the other hand, does not appear to be wish fulfillment–I do not get the desire to sleep from the painting, nor do I see a celebration of sleep. The genocidal nature of sleep is there, clearly, the AIDS metaphor is also very alive in the painting. But most importantly, the notion that sleep can be captured in a painting, without reference to Dream seems to me to be most of the point.

    I will try to get to see some of this guys art as soon as possible.

  • Identity Crisis

    This was a great episode in the Justice League. Great Batman development. The “mystery” is so tangential to the story that by the time the villain is revealed I did not really care.

  • Charlotte’s Web

    Took Lisa, Jack, and Kate to this at the Westpark 8. Snack line was brutal. Even had to go get a water after it started which took another 15 minutes standing around.

    The movie was great. Literate. Not scary. Very fun. I think Kate like it more then Jack. I think that there is a lot to say in the three words that Charlotte writes:
    Some Pig
    Radiant
    Humble

    A very fun family film.

  • Z’Tejas

    Again, this year at the Annual Christmas Shopping Trip, we had lunch at Z’Tejas. Lisa, Jack, Kate, and I ate for about one hour waiting for the Ely’s to show up. The food was better then I remember, but still very over priced & not that inventive.

    We started with Corn Bread and Quesidillas. Lisa had a glass of Red, I had a San Paligrino, Jack had water, and Kate had a Shirley Temple. The ‘Dillas were ok–one cheese and one grilled veggie–but the salsa sauce stuff was difficult to scoop onto the tortilla. Not a good sign.

    We also had a House Salad. The salad was pretty good–it had tortilla croutons and was large.

    I really do not have much to say about this chainy feeling tex-mex place. We had a good time, the food was ok, and I predict that I will eat there again next Christmas.

  • Veggie Grill

    After Jack, Kate, and I went for a hike at Moro Canyon, we headed over to the Veggie Grill for some 3:00 PM lunch.

    I really like this place a lot–not only because it is close & vegan, but also becuase the service is really friendly, the owner is always there, and we can get in and out quickly without any hassle.

    Jack and Kate had the chicken nuggets with yam fries. Jack liked the fries, Kate did not. Kate liked the chicken, Jack said he did to, but he did not eat it. They both like the Chipotle Ranch and Bar-B-Que sauces for dipping–they are spicey, but not too spicey.

    I had the Papa’s Portobello and Sausage sandwhich with cole slaw–it was ok. I am never that blown away by vegan sandwiches. I prefer things like Veggie Bowls or Pasta stuff. But it was good if not inspired. The cole slaw was lame.

    We also had some Kale Salad thing which was ok. The dressing was awesome, but the Kale was served warm & I am not that big a fan of warm salads.

    I left a suggestion in the suggestion box to change the music–they need to hire a KUCI dj to make them a soundtrack–something much more Moby then the pop that they are currently playing.

  • Neil Gaiman: Anansi Boys

    A very fun quick read. About a kid who has all of his dark side stripped from him as a kid & then learns to be an adult anyway. Has some classic Gaiman god stuff, a la American Gods, not as much brilliant social observational stuff, but overall a fun good read.

  • Scrouge

    Austin and Emily (Jimi’s Kids) were in this great musical Christmas Story creation. It was based on the Dickens classic. It was over at the Musical Theater Village. Lisa, Jack, Kate, and I had a very good time. Karen B was there as well.

    The Ghosts freaked the kids out a little. Lisa and I were tired from a long week, so it was not ideal–but we did have a very good time!

    Austin and Emily were in the Chorus & Jimi also had a nephew and niece in the musical as well. This show was a little more adult then other plays–most of the principles were adults, but Jack and Kate did an amazing job staying focused for the entire time.