Did you know that Los Angeles was originally named: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles del Río de Porciúncula [The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels on the Porciúncula River]. I like the original name so much better.
Just got home from another awesome trip to LA. Good times with friends and colleagues.
I love LA so much, there is no other city like it in the world. From the beautiful mountains, to the incredible beach cities. Whenever I return to my ‘city of origin’ – It’s overwhelming. Sensory overload mixed in with a bit of emotional overload. Wherever you look, there are opportunities.
This trip was quite intense, with projects in Hollywood, Venice, Hermosa, Pasadena, San Clemente, Silver Lake, Glendale, Downtown, Lincoln Heights… It was awesome.
As with every trip back to LA, I try to find something new to rave about. A new place to eat, a new artist, a new song…
I had just landed at LAX, picked up my rental car and was making my way to Downtown LA. I was starving! My good friend Jamal recommended a little spot in Echo Park called Sage Vegan Bistro. Knowing I’m a vegetarian, he keeps tabs on the areas healthier restaurants and things.
I highly recommend Sage. As seen in my featured image above, the space is lovely. The windows are incredible, the exposed brick columns offer an authentic feel and it’s just a fun space. They did a great job of renovating.
The food is amazing.

I went with the “Tacos” – Chili seasoned jackfruit in corn tortillas with onion, cilantro, lime and micro greens served with black beans, gazpacho and sliced mango. – $7.95
I wanted to go back for every meal and have these tacos over and over and over and over and over again. They were so amazing.
The staff was friendly and the service was right on.
Other items I wanted to enjoy: Black Bean and Plantain Focaccia, Smoked Soyrizo Burrito, Macaroni and Cheese…
Be sure to go when you’re in the area and let me know what you think.
More info about Sage: www.sageveganbistro.com

To conclude, my trip to LA was fantastic. Thanks to everyone that helped to make it a successful one.
[from - www.duanefernandez.com]

The last set of photos from WoodyFest. Photos of our dude Maurice Baker [from Newcastle], Annie Guthrie, the incredible David Jacobs-Strain [take a look at his tour schedule, if he is coming to a town near you - be there], the wonderful and

I found some time to post a few of my favorite Woody Guthrie Festival photos. As most of you know, since meeting my wife, I have taken to Mr. Guthrie. She introduced me to him and my life hasn’t been the same since. It’s hard for me to think of a

Have you ever been to Arkansas? I have. A few times now. I’m typically heading that way for work, I rip right through the state and make my way to Little Rock. It’s always a quick trip, we arrive on set, shoot, wrap up production and head home. However, last weekend I had my first vacation to Arkansas. My wife and her mother and her aunt and I drove to Mountain View to visit the ground from which her mother’s family descended. It’s a truly beautiful place.

I love white water rafting. I need more of it in my life. I’m thinking about doing a 4 day trip next summer. This flick was from last weekend. The morning before my brothers wedding in Colorado. All of us [just the dudes]

Woody fest was perfect.
This year we spent a lot of time enjoying the music.
People watching was incredible.
We ate lots of good food.

Six states in seven days.
With that being said, there has been a lot of downtime to contemplate many different things. Including but not limited to: Patience, friends, life, social media, travel etiquette, photography, love, smiles, work, research, faith, perseverance, character, honesty, eyes, communication, hate, fear…

If you haven’t picked up an issue of Monocle yet – please do so. It’s a fantastic magazine.
“Complimenting their initial foray into the retail scene in London, The Monocle Shop LA recently opened its doors in Los Angeles’ Brentwood location. The magazine’s store now offers another brick and mortar point of retail for not only the

I was wondering the other day….
How long does it take for a train to stop?

It was my first trip to Little Rock. I was there for two days and from what I saw of the Hotel, (our make shift studio), it’s a fantastic place. I hope to go back soon and get to see downtown or the river or something…

Not sure if you can remember back in the day when NOT all fast food restaurants offered free refills…. It was lame. The moment one restaurant offered the service, ALL the restaurants should have offered it. The ones that did NOT,

Phoenix was grand. The sun was amazing. I forget how nice it is to be back home. Good times all around. Here are just a few of the photos… And yes, in a couple of photos my wrists are wrapped and I am rockin a wrist band – That’s because of Rock Band and Beer Pong. Also – who buys a handle of Crown?