Racking Up the Numbers

It was a good day. I had cake for breakfast. Once a year you should have cake for breakfast if you want. Or sushi. Or a smoothie. Maybe not at the same time.

Yesterday I took photos. Walking around the southland just seeing what there was to see. No reason just because I really like taking photos and it seems that I don't make enough time for that anymore.

Well, I shouldn't say there wasn't a reason. My goal was to take 57 photos.

Looking at color, form, what is and isn't being sad about a piece of steel. I walked and had a Metro day pass so I was hoping on and off, turning corners I hadn't been to in a while and checking out the doings of the world around me.

I started with Instagram but I find it hard to take a photo and type on a screen. I'm still learning how to use it. No need to ridicule; my prior phones couldn't install Instatgram and I held onto one of those phones for 6 years.

I won't post all of the photos but I have some nice shots. And I missed blogging. Messing around too much on Twitter. Naw, I can't blame Twitter. It has been hard being connected to social media. There is a level of hostility and flat out cruelty that is mind boggling.

Factor in overt and covert racism being flung proud as a freak flag and I've just about withdrawn from many paths of commentary. There are fewer places where women can express themselves without being threatened.

I'm about to jump back with a new project. Still in beta.

Yeah. My life in beta.

Waiting for Harlan at the Barbershop

It has been a few weeks since this happened. Maybe I have a better perspective from a distance. I don’t know. To recap, I had an opportunity to see Harlan Ellison in Los Angeles and I took it. This involved trains, Hollywood Boulevard and buses. And my ability to get lost when I think a place is other than where I think it should be.

After the tour barker incident and waiting 20+ minutes for the right bus I arrived at the 4300 block of Hollywood Boulevard. To say that this block has memories for me is an understatement. The last time I was in this area was the afternoon of the Rodney King verdict. There was a bookstore that I checked out from time to time. It is gone now.

So is the Circuit City and other businesses. There weren’t that many of them. It was the kind of street you walked fast to get to your bus connections.  It was a miracle that I made it home that night.

Now there are upscale boutiques. hipster hamburger joints and spray art on the sidewalk. I don’t see any winos or junkies. I don’t smell anything but air.

It is discombobulating. Not bad, but I occupy two different places at the same time.

This is not how it use to be.  I am adjusting.

There are a few fans lined up between the Sweeny Todd Barber Shop and the Luz de Jesus Gallery. We are older. Hair is grey in patches. Everybody has their phone ready to take a photo. Denim, spandex and tattoos are plentiful.

This is the cover of his new book of long out of print lad stories. Seeing as how I bough his  books at a stripped book store in the past (I had no way of knowing it was un-ethical at the time) this is my way of making amends. Should you be so inclined to read his early gang and men magazine stories of the 1950s and 60s you could visit Kick Books to find out how to obtain a copy.

(In the interest of honesty, I didn't care for the JD line of books so I can't speak to the quality of them. I was not in the demographic at the time of publication and nothing has changed since then.)

The game plan was that Ellison was supposed to get a haircut and then walk over to the gallery. I would have liked to gone into the gallery but it was a small place with too many people inside. There was plenty of action on the sidewalk.

The barber and Harlan come out of the barber shop. Harlan told the crowd don’t stand in the sun too long. Had on a nice lavender shirt, by the way. He looked good.

The barber was a right nice looking beefy guy with a traditional barber jacket that showed his tats very nicely. Poor fellow made a mistake; he asked Harlan how he was doing.

“I’m 79 years old. I feel lousy.” It is a known fact that Mr. Ellison can be terse. Caustic. They turned the corner and no one seemed to notice.

I’m still looking around clicking atmospherically evidence that as we go to hell in a hand basket a good time will be had if you know where to go.

Time marches on and I’m thinking it is mighty hot outside. Still, nothing can induce me to go inside the gallery and I sure wasn’t going into a $10 to $20 hamburger joint. I’m loyal but passing out on the boulevard is not a test I’m willing to take.

I snap up other items of interest and slowly move my body away from the festivities. Then I hear a horn, A old school horn and peep into the car. There he was in the back seat. I had this quizzical look on my face. I looked at him. He looked at me, shrugged his shoulders and I nodded back.

I understood. I think.

Harlan got out of the car. Two motorcycle people in black leather braced him as folks took photos. Then he entered the barbershop. And people proceeded to take photos of him getting a hair cut.

I’m looking at them. At the Lone Ranger billboard. At the neighborhood that sprung up from the old.

The colors of the buildings and the sky.

I couldn’t ask for anything more. Or so I thought. The driver of the car got out. He was a little tense. His only words were a frantic “I gonna have my beer.”

Back on Hollywood Boulevard proper, I came across another person who was throwing up because he was drinking fortified malt liquor in the 3 p.m. sun and that wasn’t a smart thing to do.

My center had been restored.

I went home.

Witness to a PUA Failure - My Testimony

Dear menfolk, I like you. I do. Really. Well, some of you. A specific few. Let's just say there are positive lights in the firmament of mankind. Emphasis on the kind part.

Some of y'all are doing things that make the boogie man look honorable. A small percentage of the tribe has issues that need to be work out with a therapist or six months in the wilderness with a guru.

I understand that many of you would like female companionship. Others just want a body or access to specific female body parts. We are not like a car, Ruby on Rails or a jigsaw puzzle. We are people.

The poem below is an interpretation of an experience I had on Hollywood Boulevard. I was just an observer. This is the sanitized version.

No, not really. I tried to remember word for word what the tour barker said.



Either way, you cannot go around and cuss women out because they:

• Chooses not to talk with you.
• Is totally afraid of you, your clothes or the saliva emanating from your mouth.
• Has other things to do that do not include you.

I have to say that the actual man who inspired this poem towers over most women. He is also wide, in a muscular way. Booming voice. Bull in the China shop kind of guy.

If a woman walks away from you and she is not interested,  game over.

Done.

Let it go.

You do not need to blast your disappointment up and down the street and casting aspersions on her character where 30 seconds before you were quite interested in getting warm with her form.

In conclusion, that page in the PUA handbook that tells you to annoy women to get attention? Burn that page. Well first rip out that page, burn it and stomp the ashes.

I'd tell you to burn the book but that is something I cannot promote. But should it accidentally wind up in the barbeque pit don't bother to retrieve it.

Or replace it.

Poetry In Plain Sight - Frank Mundo

I have to struggle to write. I can come up with ideas a plenty. I can write but I have to draw up from the depths. To write and tell the story solid takes a willingness to bust secrets and make them irrefutable.



In Frank Mundo's The Brubury Tales there is a path to the people and places we know and file away. Frank doesn't allow the memories to get filed. In this piece called Holiday Inn there are memories and feelings from security guards that are trying to win vacation time.

To keep up with activities of the San Gabriel Valley poetry community visit http://saturdayafternoonpoetry.blogspot.com

Psst: I got a new camcorder that records in high definition. If you are choking on bandwidth issues click the HD to have it downshift to standard definition.

Being 52 - Seeing and Not Seeing

There are times when we are on automatic. We go shopping for stuff. Generally for the stuff we need but we are diverted by the stuff we want. Or think we want.



Or didn't know that we wanted it. Me, I go looking for what I haven't seen before and can tote home in a shopping bag. I don't want a painted Buddah or a tarted up angels.
But I did see that kitsch really does have a price tag.

This is a lemonade video on account that I didn't know that the iPod Nano will record 480 x 640 if I record in portrait mode.

This is my day 12 video for National Videoblogging Posting Month. Check out the rest of the folks via Twitter using hastag #Vlomo10. You can also find some of those rascals on YouTube

Baby Got Back on the Finally Friday Freakout

I've got orange marmalade and leftovers in the refrigerator. I really like to mix food together. My derriere is not all fast food. Nope. I stuff it with veggies, pasta and other assorted food items.

Yet even I would draw the line at a Twinkie diet. And by Twinkie I really mean Chocodiles. Or Ding-Dongs. Chilled, of course.



And then I find this video. Merciful heavens. I've heard of cultural appropriation but this cuts the cake. As a funny parody example. I don't even like Gilbert & Sullivan musicals. I tried but meh, not for me.

But I get it. The source video is from the movie The Pirate of Penzance and the musical adaptation, well go visit Mike Hightower if you want more of the same.



In the spirit of equal time for those us with the amp in vamp and roll in the stroll I convey to you the original Sir Mix A Lot version of Baby Got Back.

Me, I wonder if you can mix Orange Marmalade with pasta?

L.A. City Hall Protest - Day 7 Videoblogging Week 2010

Phew! I did it! Seven days, seven videos. I did not expect to end with this kind of recording. I was heading to Little Tokyo to check out the sights via the Gold Line extension. There are a lot of interesting things to see but you had to pay to get into the museums and restaurants.

You don't want to know how hard it is to record video in museums and restaurants on the QT. You can't. So I'm walking around and I keep seeing helicopters at City Hall. Nobody hangs out at L.A. City Hall on a Saturday unless there is a protest or something.

I first thought that it was an immigration rights protest but they know that to get TV air time they have to block traffic during the week.

I mosey on over and sure enough there is a bunch of people and police officers at City Hall. I scope out the action for a bit because (a) I do not like being anywhere near a potential police event and (b) I needed to know who was against what. There is no sense in wandering into a group of people who are primed to deliver a beat down.



Since this is Los Angeles you never know from where the beat down will come from. I still remember MacArthur Park and the police whacking on journalists, TV journalists with cameras rolling.

Yes, caution is advised.

I am not a journalist. I never claimed to be one and they wouldn't have me anyway. The fact that I bear witness to an event and record what I see make some of them queasy. I understand but I gotta do what I gotta do which is to walk into the crowd and try to figure out what is going on.

I saw all kinds of signs. There were supporters of the group wanting to take their country back. Not implying Tea Party affiliation just saying what I saw like one or two Obama caricatures of a negative nature.

There were others that wanted to reclaim the land for Mexico or Spain; not sure about that one. Actual Socialists were present trying to promote their point of view.

Anarchists and related supporters were there to encourage the downfall of everything so that it could be rebuild in their image. Everybody was talking so loud you couldn't hear what anyone said. I do know there were cameras and camcorders everywhere.

Seeing how I was height impaired I started to leave. All I was seeing was signs and the back of people's necks. I look over across the street and saw a sign. I go on over and talk to the gentleman for a bit. He smiles at me and I smile right back.

I asked him why is he the only one that has a sign about love. He said people keep coming up to him and asking him the same question. I point over yonder to the cacophony and said it might be a hard sell over there.

He knew that which is why he was across the street at the police station. Wasn't necessarily safer but easier to extract himself if necessary.

We both agreed that observing the hands of the officers was a good way to decide when it was time to go. If they are somewhat relaxed things are ok. When they as a group start to stoke something, a flashlight or baton, it is time to make that move.

I said goodbye and headed for the train station. Inside of the station it was like there wasn't anything happening out of the ordinary. All I had to do was cross the street and walk two blocks north to be in a different place.

Life is like that around here.

Eagle Rock Music Festival By The People, For The People!

Tonight in the northeastern section of Los Angeles the Eagle Rock Music Festival 10. will kick off at 5 p.m. The focus of this year's festival is giving exposure to local musicians and groups that are bubbling under the surface of so-called fame and fortune. It is free to all that want to attend.


This is a good opportunity to find out that Los Angeles is far more than Hollywood, Rodeo Drive or starlettes lost in transition. Eagle Rock worked hard to transform itself from being a pass through point from Pasadena to Hollywood. It is home and community to so-called middle Americans and the increasing ranks of the broke folk nation. Some drink beer, some sip wine and as for me, a smoothie will do nicely, thank you very much.

Some of the performers will not be on your local radio playlist because they don't fit the format. That alone is recommendation enough to attend. But wait, there's more!

• Folk and Experimental music is over at the American Legion Hall where the Cobra Lilies, The Antarcticans and Emily Lacy will get to strumming.
  
• For those on the Dub vibration there is Dublab and Very Be Cool on Casper and Colorado.
  
• If you are willing to step out on the composers edge there will be classical and contemporary music from Renaissance Arts Academy at 1800 Colorado.
  
• You want some blues or jazz with your chow? Head over to Columbo's for your fix.
• Indie Rock is setting up camp at American Tire Depot and the Eagle Rock Bowling and Drinking Club.
• HipHop is over Casper and Merton with DJ Grainshifter, Bambu, Akasha and more
  

The first note drops at 5pm and wraps up at midnight. As always I encourage you to take Metro but this is gonna be a little tricky. If you can take the #84 or #81 that will get you as close to some of the performers but you are gonna have to walk, there will be detours.

Those taking the #180/180 same deal, you can get into Eagle Rock but you might have to walk a block or two extra to find your peeps. Those of you using DASH to come to the festival know you will have find another way to get home, otherwise it is going to be a long walk back to the Highland side.

Go Metro and plan your route defensively. This means that you want to plan more than one way to get home.

Design and Structure - A Shot of Los Angeles

I have been trying to see. See colors, shapes and lines. See accidental art and intentional design. I did take a design class a few year ago. I think I failed it.

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I wasn't an "art-teeste" and I rarely see the same things that other folks do. Or I see more in the so called mundane. It isn't. There are levels and the environment to consider. There is form, function and a good looking bunch of bratwurst just aching for some spicy brown mustard and grilled onions.

So when I got the chance to play hooky from work I took old faithful to see what I could see in the real parts of Los Angeles. I found an angel and a bit more.

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Construction - A Shot of Los Angeles

Maybe I should quit this vlogging thing. There, I said it. I don't mean it but sometimes it is frustrating. The idea in my head and the execution does not always match.

I want to tell stories. I want to show stories. I want to show a bit of video and let you make your own stories.

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There are days when I have to be the grown up and I get so tired of that. What am I saying, I've never liked it. I don't mind being an adult. I like being a woman, you couldn't pay me enough to relive my childhood and teen years. But being the grown up sometimes means you can't take the opportunity to see the life around you.

Last Tuesday I got that chance. So for the next couple of posts I want to show you what I saw when I opened my eyes and saw hidden in plan sight views of downtown Los Angeles. So this is your opportunity to take time and just watch, see what you can see.

I've missed three weeks of making videos because of duties and responsibilities. I have to find a way. You'd think I'd have this figured out by now. It keeps changing. I keep changing. Ok, if you have every read "Writing Down The Bones" you will understand what I am getting at. If not, no worries.

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Rally Spirit With Mayor Norma Torres

One thing I occurred to me was that I usually don't get to hear politicians say their whole spiel. This isn't something that is usually encouraged because they can yack on for a spell or two.

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But with televised sound bites you rarely get to hear the full context of their speech unless you are in the room. Now I'm not naive, just because you are in the room doesn't mean you are going to hear solid talk. It just means you have the opportunity.

The other thing that occurred to me is that I rarely hear from Latina politicians. I didn't even know that Pomona had a Latina mayor. So let me introduce to you Mayor Norma Torres and by extension, the California earthquake stomp. She is making her case why she think Obama is the one.

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Why Do I Have To Choose?

Ah, the joys of rendering video. In the meantime I have photos and a wee bit of commentary on them.

It seemed as if I was in a constant state of waiting. Not blaming anyone in particular. Leaving at 8:00a.m. it took me about 2.5 hours to get to UCLA. Actually that is really good time on the bus. Thank goodness for the Rapid Lines.

I got there about 10:00 a.m. There was a line of folks wrapped around the Pavilion and the doors didn't open until 11:30am. I have to be honest. I didn't feel very social. I felt out of place because I wasn't a supporter. I came to hear why I should vote for this man.

Plus, there was this guy behind me yammering on about how frigging great New York is to Los Angeles. His friend did try to school him, "Manhattan is a smaller place. Things are more expansive out here. You are comparing apples or oranges"

It got old after 10 minutes and like I said we were standing out there for an hour and half. There was a diverse set of folks but not too much cross chatter. Folks were pretty much tribal.

We got inside and it was a bum rush for seats. A lot of folks headed for the floor area. I had a wee bit of problems navigating the steps so after scoping out a decent vantage point I plunked down and waited. And waited with loud music. And waited some more. The event didn't get started until 1:00 p.m.

This was the only protester I saw after the rally. Part of the reason for my headache actually. It seems that despite our higher goals it comes down to race and gender. Or race and loyalty. Or gender in the mist of making history.

The focus has shifted from who is best for the job to "Who is going to be the first "?" in the White House". Not the right question.

None of which has to do with electing a president. Here is what I want. Somebody who can think independent of other people. Someone who can listen to others and make up their own mind. I'd like a book worm quality but people skills are essential.

There is a huge honking national debt. Infrastructure work is needed in every state in the Union. The "Recession" word gives me the willies. We can't keep ignoring immigration reform.

I don't care if the next president is faith based or not, I don't need to know about it. I don't want the next president's faith attempting to remove any of my rights as an American.

And most of all I want substance over rhetoric. Inspire, yes. But I want action on day three.

Both the Democratic candidates can talk a mile a minute with grace and intelligence. Their spouses are forces of nature and not to be dismissed as the "husband" or the "wife".

I still don't know who I am voting for in the primary. I do know that this country has a lot of work to do and it must re-united itself or we are cosmic toast. It isn't the President that has to do this work.

It is the citizens that need to transform our thinking. I'm not sure we have a collective clue on how to make that happen.

Food Language and Multicultural Groceries

I’m in the supermarket in the checkout line. I forget to put the separator between my items and the older gentleman ahead of me. I’m locked on to a copy of the Reader’s Digest promising me I can de-clutter my living space this year.

Next thing I know my groceries are being loaded into the older gentleman’s cart. “I think we have a problem here, he’s got my groceries.”

“Didn’t you use the separator?” the clerk asked disapprovingly. “No I guess not." The first time in 40 some years of shopping that it happened mind you. Meanwhile, my gracious benefactor is trying to leave. We both explain that there has been a mistake. He doesn’t understand.

The bagger asks “Spanish?” “I pipe in with “Is it Farsi?” “Armenian” he says as he is still trying to leave. The clerk puts out an SOS for Habib as I attempt to extract my stuff from his basket.

Habib never shows up but it is cool. I reclaim my turkey sausages and assorted other goodies. After much confusion and a good deal of gesturing the clerk refunds his money and I pay my own way with the reproachful eyes of my fellow customers.

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Language matters here in Los Angeles. Communities form and dissolve based on who you are and how you say it. It is a blessing and sometimes a tribulation but language gives all of us an opportunity to reach beyond what we know and see. Unless you don’t speak the other person’s lingo.

It is never too late so here are a few resources to resurrect that dormant language class or learn something new.

The Arabic Language Podclass is just what is says it is, you have the opportunity to download mp3 that contain Arabic speakers and poetry. This seems to be designed for folks who might be taking an Arabic class or are trying to increase their vocabulary. There is also an Arabic Wiki Language area that you can use as a resource.

The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) has oodles of tools, tutorials and mp3 files You can learn French, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese and you can download mp3 files to help you if you are just visiting. You can also follow BBC self-paced language instruction, for example Spanish or snag just enough to get you through a vacation.

I live in southern California. There are at least four Spanish language non-cable television stations, a bunch of radio stations and pound of publications. It is in my future best interest to re-activate my prior limited investment in my Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 classes. One way to do that is checking out Slow Spain Blog

There are far more resources but this will get you started. Bon Chance!

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Pasadena Bloggers Picnic - Day 6

It was a lovely afternoon. I didn't know any of these people. I knew one or two of their blogs but I felt like an interloper. I shop, work and go to school in Pasadena but I don't live there. Out of my current budget.

I bought some wet naps, Blood Orange Soda ( I really do like drinking that stuff) and something else I don't remember. I tended to stay near the tables because there was some good food on it and I didn't know what else to do. I don't have the automatic smoozing gene, I gotta kinda peculate up to it.

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Fortunately a very nice gentleman name Robin brought some excellent ribs of all permutation. I could her my doctor tsk, tsking me about wrapping my lips around those bones but me and Charlie understood that nature is not something to be defied. Unfortunately I couldn't slip Charlie any of the bounty cuz his human said he couldn't have any.

So this is simple video. No ribs, intense political debates or ants in the pants. A group of people who know, kinda know and don't know each other pose for a photo. Just like we did in grade school. But a little bit better than that.

Saturday In Pasadena - The Heat of the Moment

It was hot. It was 107 degrees hot. It was so hot I didn't want to go directly home so I was going across town to pick up a bus pass. If you don't latch on to a bus pass by Saturday afternoon you are SOL and you will be forking up $5 a day Metro pass.

I had gotten out of class early. I caught the bus in less than 10 minutes which was a blessing due to the heat. Made it to Lake and Colorado and that is when life got interesting.

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One of the most stressful jobs in Los Angeles is being a bus driver. The idiotic things people do with their cars and pedestrians will age you before your time. Things like a bike rider approaching from the left, getting off his bike and then expecting to board the bus.

The driver has the option of not allowing the passenger on the bus. Especially if you almost get yourself hit by pulling up in front of said bus. Rest assured you will not be allowed to board the bus if the driver told you to remove your bike from the rack.

But this isn't really about the bus and the bike. It is about men and women. Self determination. Fantasy thinking and when do you accept defeat honorably and go about your business? It was dang poetic.

I had to leave before the Metro (cough) police arrived. Actually the driver encouraged us to catch the next bus.

A brief explanation. Although the driver called the police the Los Angeles Sheriff department is the law enforcement agency for the L.A. Metro transit system. Pasadena police could not respond unless it is life threatening (don't hold me to that, that is just bus rider intuition.)

And although there is a sheriff station in Altadena there was no way of knowing where this particular sheriff would be coming from. It would be a long wait. Once the driver called for the sheriff she couldn't move.

For all I know they are still facing off. The music is by Ralph Wooden, the tune is Bent String Blues.

This is a Good Day - Pixelodeon Reminder

First order of business. It is just a few more days until the Pixelodeon crew hits Los Angeles. On June 9th and 10th Hollywood will be jumping with vloggers, bloggers and media folks of all permutations.

Just want to invite folks both corporeal and cyber-enhanced to the event which is free as in no cost to you. There are tickets if you want to sit up close and personal with the high tones, wisdom givers and connected with connections but it is not necessary to attended the event.

I am one of the curators of the event, my area is Social Justice, Community and Awareness. I promise it will not be like swigging on Castor Oil. It isn't gonna be a laugh riot either. What I wanted to do was show folks using video on the Internet for connecting communities, solving problems and how we can move forward.

Not to say that there isn't gonna be jocularity at the event. You want your funny bone tickled? Check out the schedule I'm sure there is something that will hit close to one of your particular persuasion.

Ok, some persuasions we can't do in public but you know you got Fleshbot for that. And Tiny Nibbles just in case you are really hurting about missing Pixelodeon for material of a certain type so long as you are over 18. (Psst, it is that sex stuff in case I wasn't subtle enough.)

Anyway, I hope you can stop by and check out the goodies. I have to double check but hopefully we can put up an online gallery so folks who couldn't make it can see what other people are doing.

There will be video recording. I will be toting cameras for sure as well as the other vloggers, bloggers and photobloggers who will be in attendance. The cell phone contingency will be completely represented. Trust me, it will be documented up the wahzoo and beyond.

The other reason why it is a good day? Well, I'll tell you. On June 5, 2007 this here blog was selected as a "Blog of Note" by Blogger. After a long day at the salt mine, after missing the bus, and pulling bills out of the mail box I see more comments than usual. I find out that for this day I was a "Blog of Note" (I love typing that!) If people clicked that link they found my blog. Yowser!

Thanks to everybody that every read or watch a video. Except for the creeps that keep trying to sell me to male enhancement pills. I feel like Esau at the moment. Just keep plugging, you'll get it by and by.

L.A. Anti-War Protest - Military Families Speak Out

This is a speech given by Pat Alviso of Military Families Speak Out. She is joined on stage with her family.

She talks about her son currently serving in Iraq and the contradictions of elected democrats that ran on an anti-war platform only to plead they have no power once in Congress. Pat got me thinking hard on this point.

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The only time the Democratic party wants me to know anything is when they want me to contribute money. In no way is this a two way conversation. I think they think it is business as usually.

Maybe, if we have failed to learn the lessons of non-engagement with our elected officials. Maybe not. But it don't smell good from here.Once seated into the chambers the RepDems are so scared of doing anything to upset the status quo they put out non-threatening (to themselves) non-binding resolutions.

Dubya has ignored a bi-partisan panel, his military advisory committee and the even his own boys who are trying to point out things aren't going so well. What the hell does a non-binding resolution do anyway but document the passion of in-activity?

To be fair, I'm just as angry at Republicans who all of the sudden have seen the light. Wrong is wrong and why did it take losing the election to see that? Who removed the scales from their eyes? I doubt it was conscious or a latent strain of ethics.

But don't they look good in those shiny contemporary presidential cut designer suits.

For more information about Military Families Speak Out visit http://www.mfso.org

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Downtown On Ice - Skate and Swing

In Los Angeles you have to be ready, flexible and above everything else open minded. The week before it was very warm. There is a month long event "Downtown on Ice" It is coming to an end so I wanted to snag a video.

The possibilities spin in my head so I hop on the Gold line and then the Red Line to Pershing Square.

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Pershing Square is a contradiction within itself. It is a place for homeless people to gather unless there are special events being held in the square. Then the security guards or police chase them out.

It also has a criminal element but name me a place that doesn't. Toss in growing renovation projects, the contrasts between money and poverty and you could get very perplexed. The city is trying to change the perception and image of the area. It is changing, at its own pace.

Anyway, there was warm weather, ice skating and Pershing Square. Something is missing. Ah yes. Swing dancing. So without further ado I bring to you a little taste of Los Angeles.

P.S. January 14, 2007. It is no longer warm in Los Angeles. Special plea to Washington state or Washington, D.C. Please come get your weather and take it home. I do not function well at 20 degrees Fahrenheit and I am almost at the point where I need to buy a new winter coat. I have not bought a winter coat in years.

Global warming or El Nino it does not matter to me cuz I am really cold and the cactus are very upset.

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I'm back! Whew! I had some technical difficulties, mainly when I'd tried to post the beloved Blogger would not recognize the new stuff. Tried to go to new Blogger but it didn't want me just yet. Finally found a way to kick old Blogger in the pants and just as I did, new Blogger opened the door and I raced on through.

Dancing With MySelf - Kinky The Band

Trying to catch up with my video backlog. This is a goody. This band rocks the house, the neighborhood and any loose crowns you might have in your mouth.

It is a fusion between Mexican music, pop, rock, soul, hip-hop and anything else you want to throw in the stew. Everybody was rocking up to these fellas. Serious business, this music will knock the plaque off your cardiac walls.
For those of you in a dreary winter or rainy wonderland I'm telling you this stuff will snap the life back into you. There is hope, spring shall return. When in doubt, find some positive music and move something. Body friction is good for you, no matter what they say. Solo or with a friend rub a dub dub.
Dance fever, yeah.

In other news, I think I have discovered a vlogging sub-specialty in recording older gentlemen who want to sing and dance. I say, don't wait until you cross age sixty, start now and shake that thing!




For more info and to catch their videos visit http://kinkymusic.com or for something a little more work safe http://www.sonic360.com/kinky

Hey, That's Amore for Soldiers In Iraq

In the Pasadena Weekly there was an article on page 24 about Supporting Our Troops. Normally I take that to mean, "Stop reading, you are the other and you are not invited. But the sub-head caught my eye, "Musicians and volunteers put politics aside to create care packages" for those doing active duty in Iraq. I knew that I wanted to document that kind of cooperation and positive action.

Here's the thing. The event started at 11 a.m. and I was diverted by art and motorcycles so when I arrived at 1 p.m. they were finished. Forty volunteers showed up at Hey, That's Amore coffeehouse and packed boxes like they were on mission.


The owner of the store was still a little amazed at how quickly things happened but they you go. Ask people not political labels to do something and you get a powerful result. But the job is half done. They still gotta ship those boxes overseas. So, if you are so inclined send a buck or two to:

Hey, That's Amore Coffeehouse & Store
27 E. Holly Street
Pasadena, CA 91103-3906

But I got no video. Some days I feel like Maxwell Smart, "Missed it by that much."