Shaved Ice Cream Is a Mighty Good Thing

I wanted to walk. I got a chance at the October CicLaVia. I started in Chinatown, then past the courthouse and the new Grand Park across from City Hall.

 

At the Los Angeles Times building there were food trucks. I have learned to at least inspect them to see if it is the real deal or is somebody trying to push foo-foo food on me.

I wasn't supposed to go near those trucks in the first place. Trying to cut back on carbs and the lard of the land.

Over yonder was a truck that had something to do with shaved ice. Now I was raised a water ice girl, which is not the same thing. It is better. But I was far away from getting any rum raisin water ice anytime soon so you gotta go with the flow.

I was dehydrated. Which is why I ordered a stawberry, coconut and mango shaved ice concoction with a base of vanilla ice creme.

I ordered the small one but I got a huge ice cone of wonderment. I rested my body along side of the Times building and just slurped. It was hot, the bikes were bressing by and all was right with the world.

I walked around the corner I found a ledge I could sit on and continued to suck and slurp. I was indeed orally fixated.

There was a bike in the shape of a motorcycle. Then a  old rattly one just out of the garage. Expensive gear that must have cost a good $500 to start.

There were the sound of bikes. But it was also quiet. Peaceful.

You don't get that often in a big city. You have to work on it.

The above photo was when I was just about to break though to the ice creme level. I figured I should have something to show for my pleasure. It was small enough by that point that I could place it on the ledge to take the photo.

Shortly after the photo was taken there was nothing more to slurp. I walked and walked and walked.

It was a good day for it.

Creep on the Finally Friday Freakout

So he creep, yeah he kept it on down low... Well, how could I not? I have spent days with my fellow salt miners trying to wrap my head around two men, prominent richer than rich men get themselves into so much trouble.

It makes no sense. My saline crew members have evaluated the Creepenator's actions and behaviors to new analytical powers I did not know they possessed. We talked about it so much that we are taking a vow of silence so that we don't talk about it any more.

Cuz really, we'd rather not have certain images in our heads. And with the Rapture/Judgement day coming up we got stuff to do like go to the Red Bull Soapbox Derby or Silverlake Jubilee, which has nothing to do with anything spiritual unless fifty food trucks, a bunch of musicians and a plethora of art activities put you in a higher plane of being.



So hopefully this is the last of it. Let TLC get your attention but remember to creep outside of matrimony is a dang reprehensible action no matter what you station of life is or how much dough you have in the flow.

I present the above reminder to those of you who are thinking about taking a dip into somebody's else hip that is on gold band lockdown.

Don't do it.

The other guy? My fellow miners are content that he went from a $3,000 a night hotel to Riker's Island in New York City. We think the accomodations at Riker's will get his attention that long before this accusation there might have been behaviors that, in hindsight, might have lead him to his new position in life.

Go on and fool with the elementals if you want to. Those forces are patient. Their timing is impeccable. The ultimate booyah. I'm gonna hush up now cuz they don't like finger pointing either.

We send our love and support to a woman who is being stalked by Franco/American media and her life, no matter the truth, will never be the same.

Courage.

Tribute to Lee Morgan - Free Concert October 2nd

If you need something to do and don't have a lot of cash there is a way to groove and be frugal. The Luckman Jazz Orchestra is having a tribute to Lee Morgan on October 2nd at 6:30pm.

Who is Lee Morgan you ask?



The free concert is being held at The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at 5151 State University Drive in Los Angeles. It is on the campus of California State University, Los Angeles.

The event is free but you should RSVP, you can do that old school by calling 323) 343-6600. For more info on the many doings of The Luckman Fine Arts Complex visit their site.

Poetry In Plain Sight - Don Kingfisher Campbell

I recently wrote a post at BlogHer about poetry and poets as reporters. Yes, indeed there is much work for the poetry community to tell the rest of us. Great time to be a scribe.

Without hesitation, on to the video of the day. Don Kingfisher Campbell is too tall to be an mischievous elf. There are times when listening to him I have to straddle between the spoken and the intended meaning of his words. This can be a lot of fun except in situations where I'm not supposed to be laughing.

To quote the Second Sunday Poetry site:

Though often his poems have a message, just as often they are as fun and easy to take as a high-fat, high-fructose dessert. Nothing is off limits, no one is spared in Don's robust, luxuriant, maximalist universe, which we enter today.

He is also a very good poet. This is recording of Don reading his poem
Queen Mary at the Saturday Afternoon Poets meet-up in Pasadena.



Don has got books, chapbooks, audio recordings for sale on Amazon and is popping all over the Southland. If he is not hosting an event he is reading at one.

I'm going to miss the next couple of poetry readings but you don't have to, it is open to everybody. Just plunk your butt in a chair, bring some cash just in case you want to buy a chapbook or something and go with the flow.

Here is a quick run down of current events to soak up some goodness:

Monday, August 2nd, 8 to 11pm - Don Kingfisher Campbell, features with CaLokie as part of the open mic for Da Joynt poetry reading series @ The Attic Theater on 5429 W. Washington Blvd. in Los Angeles, J. Evert Jones (AKA James Maverick) hosts, also offering kick-ass blues from Tokyo Mississippi! Beer/Wine and a $5 cover.

Saturday, August 7th, 4 to 6pm - CaLokie, Don Kingfisher Campbell, Marvin Dorsey and friends Thea Iberall, Pete Justis & Angel Uriel Perales plus Special Guests Peter Lewis & M.L. Liebler perform on the Center Stage @ Frazier Park Fiesta Days Celebration on Frazier Park Mountain Road in Frazier Park (3.7 miles west of Interstate 5)

You can also check out what is going on by visiting Don's blog and other places such as Poetic Diversity, his Facebook page, and certainly at the Emerging Urban Poets blog.

Saturday Stuff To Do

If you can't find something to do Saturday July 17th you need to be shamed.

On the poetry tip there is a reading by three fine representations of So. Cal poets at the Santa Catalina Branch of the Pasadena Public Library on 999 E. Washington Blvd. The lyrical flow starts at 3 and ends at 5.

L.A. BlogHers are meeting up at Mel's Diner in Hollywood on July 17th as well. If you can take the Metro Red Line and save yourself some parking grief. This is also a 3-5pm event. And no, I haven't figured out how to be in two places at the same time.

In-between Pasadena and Hollywood is Glendale and they are going to have a downtown Vintage Car and Rock Show starting around 6pm I believe.

Have that urge for meat on a stick? OC County Fair is also in play with Weird Al Yankovic involved in some way or another.

Korean BBQ Festival & Cook Off - Summer of Staycation 8

'Cue? as in BBQ? A festival about the smell, the smoke and dare I say it, the joy of eating hot juicy seasoned meat? Er...to my veggie and vegan friends, skip this post.

I'm an Omnivore and I do slip over to the dark side every now and again. I did buy snow peas and carrots yesterday. It is a process, okay? I might not even make it over there, I'd have to take four buses or a train or two on a Saturday. It is supposed to have some serious K-BBQ masters though. I do like pickle Kimchi.

Where was I? Oh yeah on Saturday, August 8th from 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM there will be a Korean BBQ Festival in Koreatown or thereabouts. The skivvy on the location is:

Parking Lot at The Summit on 6th
3223 West 6Th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90020

I got the scoop from Yelp with the details on Facebook.

I don't do Facebook. Sorry. No. Not even for potentially good to excellent'Cue.

To be specific, the Festival is free but if you want to scarf upper level Korean Beef Tacos you need to bring cash money.

Hey I do what I can but for $5 - $7 you can wrap your mouth around something hot.
In a culinary way of course. This is a family event.

Malibu Art Festival - Summer of Staycation 6

Well yes some of us will be out of town but no need to be bitter about it. Plenty of things to do if you are in the Malibu area, check out the Malibu Arts Festival on Saturday and Sunday.

There will be food, drink, crafts, high toned art and stuff for the kiddies. If you can hoof it that is fine otherwise $7 for the parking.

The Malibu Art Festival is located at the Malibu Courthouse which is located at 23525 Civic Center Way, Department W Malibu, California 90265.

Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles - Summer of Staycation 5

Most reality television is toxic to your brain. Real music and performers will make you healthy and engaged in real communities. Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles has 50 count them 50 summer events so what are you waiting for?

Consider this your invitation to bus a move out of the house. This is the New MacArthur Park. Not only can you breathe but you can dance, rock your body and enjoy free music five nights a week.


Depending on where you live you could hop on the Red Line, get off at MacArthur Park Station, pop in the 99 Cents Only Store for picnic items and hippity hop over to the Pavilion. There may or may not be vendors on the street selling fruit, roasted corn or other items.

I cannot say yes but I won't say no. If you see LAPD approaching said vendors the answer is no.

Coming up this week:

• July 15 - La Charanga Cubana - you know there will be dancing on the grass and hands swinging from side to side.
• July 16 - West African Highlife Band - another opportunity to bust some arterial grease out of your body and sling it Afro Old Skool style.
  
• July 17 - Locos por Juana - a little Reggie, some Ska and a dash of Hip-Hop. All this and some bacon wrapped jalapeno scented hot dogs someplace in the vicinity.
• July 18 - Jim Lauderdale - for those of the Country music and Bluegrass persuasion come on out and get your twang on with pride.
  

Shows start at 7:30p.m. but check the schedule just in case something changes. Levitt Pavilion MacArthur Park is located at the intersection of West 6th Street and S. Park View Street.

Twilight Dance at Santa Monica Pier - Summer of Staycation 2

Dance, dance and dance some more! Turn off the DTV and go do it for yourself without judgment or national humiliation. The Santa Monica Pier has a Twilight Dance Series from now until September 3rd. This is the 25th year and the hipulation will commence with the Playing for Change band.

Am I psychic or what? Yowser and pass the Ginger Beer. Yes, some of those folks. And if they can get that Belgium brother over here I might book a hotel room to see him.

Cuz there is no way I'm gonna get home from Santa Monica after 11pm without added to my life experiences. Yes, take Metro if you can but ladies, this is time you need to hook up a ride if you live more than a half hour's walking distance from the pier.

No fooling. Last trains leave at 11:30pm, buses if they are running are on a hour or hour and a half schedule and catching a taxi home might equal the cost of the hotel room.

So, barring a thunderstorm, quake, fire or somebody doing something supremely stupid check it out, dance it out and you know, enjoy life while the clock is ticking.

Uptight Citizen's Brigade - Summer of Staycation 1

Sunday nights in Hollywood are not generally associated with entertainment unless you want to watch the dads with baby car seats in the back troll for fresh meat. Yes, way too much non-verbal information that is shared by all.

Anyway, if you are not doing anything around Sunday 7:30pm and, you want to keep it legal, you might want to check out the Uptight Citizen Brigade Theater. If you are outside of L.A. you can check out comedy and improve videos at UCB Comedy.

Always double check event listings but I hear that on Sundays there is a freebie performance. All you have to do is get yourself there about an hour or so before the doors open and it is a bum rush to the seats.

Now, be fair. Don't expect to sit and view improve comedy without being repeated encouraged to buy libations. Pony up for a drink or two. I'm sure they have ginger ale or something.

So if you and best bud need some place to go but the lint is taking up room in the wallet then go for it. It is cheaper than making bail.

Inspired By Miss Johnnie - Free Events for Staycation

Miss Johnnie was one of those kick in the pants people. I'm still kicking myself for not recording her and our conversations. By the time I met her she was about 80 something living in a residence that had a stripper pole and stage. Miss Johnnie had traveled the world and done things I could only read about.

She needed help to work on her computer. It was a finicky Windows 95 bucket of bolts laptop that refused to yield to the herald of change. The purpose of this post is that Miss Johnnie wanted her friends to really know the joys of Los Angeles. She wanted them to get out of the house and live not rot away watching informercials.

To see the life that surrounds us. To that end and that old pokey laptop created and mailed out a newsletter with the list of all the free events happening that month. Cultural, political, entertainment - didn't matter to her so long as they were free.

This is video I shot at Grand Avenue a few years back. Never heard of the band before and the vibe of the folks was way cool.



Life.

With people dying all over the joint I thought about her. Maybe we need to have more connection to each other than just electronic. Maybe we need to be among a group sharing an experience. For our mental health we need to do more than the chores, the day job and fretting about doom and damnation.

A'int no use hollering about your misspent tax dollars. Citibank has given a portion of your tax dollars in raises to all of its employees. I'm not kidding. What, you thought they would not tap into that money?

See this is why we need to get out.

Here is a quick lists of ways to keep tabs on the L.A. freebie cultural and social life:

• Grand Performances kicks in starting in July. You can now follow them on Twitter or their blog. Old school can go to the website to see the list of events.
• Many blogs cover free events and doings such as LAist. I'll compile a master list when I get a chance.
  
• Also keep your eyes open for events happening in the Leimert Park area.
  
• For Pasadena area doings I check out the Pasadena Weekly.
  
• I do like to keep my eyes on Yelp for L.A. events as well as Yahoo's Upcoming.

I got more but you get the idea. No matter where you live there is a freebie event waiting for you near by. And if there isn't, then you could do a video visit of some of the places you could have gone, you know, if the money wasn't given to Citibank but you directly.