Childrens Hospital McDonalds Cafeteria

Disgusting - McDonald's cafeteria, the only food option at Children's Hospital???

During my trip to LA for the Holidays, I had an impromptu opportunity to visit Children's Hospital, when my baby cousin had to go in for a checkup. I hadn't set foot in a Children's Hospital since I was a kid, so this was a chance to see the hospital from a grownups perspective.

This particular Children's Hospital at 5000 W Sunset Blvd, features a McDonald's as the cafeteria. Surprised at this disgusting discovery, I decided to take some pictures as evidence. The thought of McDonald's inside a children's facility is pretty sickening, especially when you realize that it's the only place to get food, aside from the bagel vendor in the hallway by the entrance.

There's a sign in the main lobby that simply stays 'cafeteria' with an arrow pointing in the appropriate direction, which I tried following, but it just leads back to McDonald's.

Upon first look at the virtual tour of the Children's Hospital LA website, there's no mention of McDonald's their site. Though when viewing the interactive map, it reveals Micky Dee's, as being the only location for food within the building.

For a facility boasting some of the best medical staff, and equipment in the world, the sight of McDonald's, is nothing but disappointing. It works against the philosophy of good health, and healthy living for children.

Open 24 Hours to brainwash your child into thinking that McDonald's is a nutritious part of their diet -- an addiction rooted from childhood, fast food is the worst thing you can give children, let alone ones with serious medical conditions. Hardcore product placement even in a hospital is sick.

What annoys me even more is that when you click the camera icon on the interactive map above the McDonald's Logo, you get this message:

"Having a McDonalds franchise on our hospital's campus ensures that families are able to grab a meal in an atmosphere that children recognize as being child-friendly without leaving our hospital. For families with sick children, the golden arches are often a welcome site."

You have got to be fucking kidding me. Sure kids recognize the brand, that's only because they're bombarded with it, even in a hospital.

I couldn't help but notice 'ethnic minorities' being treated at the hospital, and lining up at McDonald's, and I felt like they were being targeted with fast food, a leading cause of childhood obesity. If this were a hospital for the upper class, in an affluent neighborhood, where patients and families were Caucasian I'm sure organic sandwiches, wraps, and healthy salads, would be served. Sort of like the Military advertising heavily in movie theaters located in low to middle-class neighborhoods, where the expectancy for college is lower, while next to no military advertising appears in upper-class theaters, where kids are more likely to go to college.

Reevaluating my opinion of Richard Kelly's Southland Tales movie

Subjecting others to Richard Kelly's Southland Tales.

Over the Holidays I thought that it would be a good idea to introduce some of my family members to Richard Kelly's Southland Tales, a movie that I picked up on DVD at some point in 2008, and which never really saw the light of day as a wide theatrical worldwide release, appearing in only select theaters. To my dismay, they never reacted as I had hoped.

Everyone knows Southland Tales was slaughtered by film critics, and fans alike, only a few oddball hardcore fans have really grown to appreciate it, myself included. It's entertaining. The movie makes me laugh. Some ideas presented in the film about technology, politics, and time travel were intriguing, and visually it's a nice looking film, with an atmospheric soundtrack to go along with it. Being most of my relatives have similar tastes to my own in humor, and movies, I felt it was a safe bet that they'd enjoy it. So I tested out the movie on them. I was curious to see how they'd react.

One of my relatives (female, over 40) is very political, hates George Bush, Republicans, right-wing conservatives, and loves debating anything to do with government, science, and medicine. Another relative (male, over 30) grew up reading comics, and science fiction novels, enjoys all sorts of movies from the arty, to cult classics, to mainstream, and from time to time gets into political debates as well. These two for the most part I consider to be very well educated, well-rounded individuals, who have an appreciation for the satirical. A third relative (female 19), is a college student, someone who soaks up pop-culture, and mainstream entertainment, who is neither political, or into science fiction. This person never saw Donnie Darko, but when I mentioned that Justin Timberlake, and Sarah Michelle Gellar were in Southland Tales, her interest was piqued.

Without any introduction, aside from "I gotta really cool movie for you guys to watch", I went ahead and popped it into the DVD player, preparing myself to watch their reactions like they were guinea pigs.

The opening of the film held their interest, but soon after that, their interest started to breakdown. Confused, and unamused throughout the movie, they asked that I stop the movie before before Act 3. I found myself the only one laughing at 'Teen Horniness is not a Crime', and other parts of the film. Something was missing, they just didn't 'get it', like I did. In short, they hated it. So I popped in 'Army of Darkness' instead to win back their trust in my film choices.

While I can watch Southland Tales, more than once, it seems some people can't even get through the first time viewing, without losing interest. Indeed, 'Southland Tales' isn't for everyone. I'm such an oddity for liking this movie. If you're reading this Richard Kelly, I tried to introduce more people to the movie, but they quickly denied it! I'm definitely looking forward to 'The Box.'

LA Favorites Mashti Malones Ice Cream

Mashti Malone's Ice Cream, a tasty alternative to Frozen Yogurt.

Over the holidays I had a chance to hit up some of my favorite spots while down in LA -- One of them being the local favorite Mashti Malone's ice cream in Hollywood. And every time I'm in LA, I make sure that I stop by this place to get my fix of exotic Rosewater Saffron with Pistachios. *Drool*. I've been going to this place for years, and it remains a definite favorite of mine, my friends, and family.

For those who are somewhat confused by the ice cream parlors name of 'Mashti Malone's,' just give this LA Times article a read to get a better idea. The name embodies diversity for the area it's located in, it's history, and it's owners -- brothers Mashti, and Mehdi Shirvani. The flavors are not your typical fair, which is exactly what you shouldn't expect when visiting this place. If you're familiar with Persian ingredients, these ice cream flavors would be right for your taste buds, if you're not, they will definitely grow on you from the first time you try it.

If ever you're in the LA area, it's worth a trip to Mashti Malone's.

1525 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90028 Toll Free: 1-866-767-3423 1-866-Rose Ice Tel: (323) 874 -0144 Fax: (323) 969 -8693 info@mashtimalone.com