Yes, it’s a burrito. And yes, it’s stuffed with nachos.

Although Taco Bell came out with an almost identical monstrosity around this time last year, we expected more of you, Baja Fresh. Take this:

L

And this:

M

And one of these: 

D

Using our mad journalistic skills, we got our hands on a couple of Baja Fresh concepts that didn’t make the cut:

---Burrito Nachos (bite-size burritos, smothered in nacho cheese)

---The Burrito Shake (one part burrito, one part smoothie)

---iNachos (for a quarter, they dip your iPhone in hot melted cheese)

I've always fancied myself something of a photographer. Who doesn't these days? But there’s nothing quite as frustrating as trying to shoot a rock show. The lighting is a bitch, you’re always in someone’s way and most of what comes out are dark blobs of nothingness and the back of some dude’s head. Ugh. I’m sure my point-and-shoot Casio is not helping the cause.

Every once and a while, you get lucky and snap something cool that makes you feel like you know what you’re doing (even if you obviously don’t). This particular snap taken of Tokyo Police Club singer/bassist Dave Monks is one such pic. The show was pretty cool, too. If only the crowd would’ve woken up sometime before the encore… 

Just got this from Showcave , the "feral art space in the heart of Babylon" that I so adore.

On this sleepy, drooly Thursday, I just might grab my co-conspirator, the elusive Gemini, and see what this "Mormon organ and fairy tambourine" bizness is about.

Perhaps I'll shoot down Temple to Chinatown for some grub afterwards! Food! Lights! Tambourines! Egg rolls!  

(And hey, if you're all booked for the night, hit Showcave this weekend for this photography closing party. High five!)

Post script: A glance at the excessive use of exclaimation points in this post can mean only one thing: that yerba mate Jiyoen wrote about is seriously cracking me out.) 

It's no secret that the the Metromix team has been working our little booties off lately. What? Oh, you weren't aware? Well, keeping on top of all the haps in the city is busy work, people!

No sleep, very little food—how do we keep up? I'd like to think our natural charm and effervescence. But taking stock of our desks just recently, I realize it's all about the maté. Lots and lots of yerba maté, a tea infusion of proto-caffeine loveliness that immediately makes you hippy-dippy in love with God's green earth. 

The collective obsession is thanks in large part to our events editor Alie Ward who's pimped her love for maté on her myspace page—so much so that an up-and-coming tea company pimped right back. Pixie Maté has maté of every sort: 100% pure leaf; infused with lemongrass, chocolate, or chai; maté concentrate to blend with your milk or soy alternative. All delicious and purposeful for an afternoon kick in the pants.

Pixie Maté—you with the adorable little name—you've swiftly made your way into our bloodstream. Forget Red Bull; Pixie Maté gives us wings. Just take a look:

Only nine more hours until the opening of Opera, David Judaken’s swanky new club that’s sure to be the talk of the town (and the tabloids) for years to come. Good luck crashing tonight’s event though. The hard-asses at The Alliance are hosting the bash and unless you look like Paris Hilton or drink like Lindsay Lohan, you won’t past their iron rope. (Even I don’t know if I’ll be able to crash because The Alliance is vehemently anti press and the prominent Hollywood club owner I was going to sneak in with just flaked on me because he doesn’t feel like dealing with tonight’s door drama.)

Here’s the scoop:
The club is located on 1650 Schrader Boulevard in Hollywood. Judaken has divided the space into two: Opera and Crimson. Opera is the elegant half, decked out with beautiful archways and fog screens. Crimson, which opens next Wednesday with an X Games event hosted by Travis Barker, is the rock ‘n roll side. What does rock ‘n roll really mean at an A-list club? Snakeskin and faux-fur décor.

Here’s what you can look forward to:
At Opera, The Alliance will hold court on Thursdays and nice guys Zen Freeman and Chris Paul will take over on Fridays; nightclub vets Chris Whalley and Herman Town will preside over Saturdays; and on Sundays, Icon will host hip-hop parties.

Over at Crimson, “David & David” of Teddy’s fame will hook up with Jean Paul to host a “hipster” night on Wednesdays and beginning Monday, August 6, youngster promoters Ryan Cook, Michael Bellisario and Brad Hoss will take over.

Here’s the hook-up:
You’ll notice I linked to just about every promoter’s Myspace page. Go make friends with them so that they'll let you in!

Oh Opera, how I can't wait to see what's behind your plywood shield.