I HATE SPAM!

I don't mind the edible SPAM (although it's a bit salty) but the junk mail kind is just EVIL!

To everyone who received one of those annoying "reunion.com" requests, I humbly beg your forgiveness! I got a request late last night from someone (Don Garza!!) and rather than sleeping on it, actually responded to it while I was thinking about it.

Unfortunately, I wasn't thinking enough.. had I been thinking, I would not have used my email as a search tool, which is, I gather what I inadvertently did. Thus sending unwarranted, unwanted, and just plain annoying spam to a couple hundred people at the least from my yahoo.

Not to mention since joining, I'm not a fan of the reunion.com interface. I'm rather embarrassed. I wish it was over.

Again, spam mail is evil. I apologize!

Downtown neighbors.. Memorial Day closures

While out trying to find my copy of Downtown Poet Laureate nominee Richard McDowell's book 30 Days on Spring at Metropolis (I was late! They were closed!) I noted they have a sign saying they are closed for the weekend from the 24th and will resume their hours on Tuesday..

Also while using the crosswalk at 4th and Main noted that Orlando's will be closed Sunday and Monday for Memorial Day as well.

Good News though is that the Market downstairs (Ray's place.. I don't know the correct name) is going to be open through the weekend so if you have a crazy ice cream fix or something, someone should be there. He was saying the only day they close is like a 'half day' on Christmas!

So just remember before you head out to maybe call ahead to see if what you are looking for is open.. Hoagies & Wings is also going to be closed Monday for Memorial Day.. (I know cause I had dinner there earlier).

Yeah I know, 2 Fridays in a row at Hoagies & Wings.. those cheeseburgers are good! I am going to need some intervention if I keep this up... ;)

*******

ps: wanted to make sure to congratulate Richard too! =)

Dave Bullock: Wired enigma?

If you were wondering what BlogDowntown's 3rd contributer has been up to around the neighborhood, you need go no further than say Mars, or Pasadena's JPL facility. Yep, the 3BN's Dave Bullock just published another article w/photos over at Wired.. pretty cool.


Inside NASA's MARS Mission

Inside NASA's Mars Mission
By Dave Bullock
05.23.08 | 12:00 AM

MOJAVE DESERT/PASADENA, California -- This Sunday, NASA's Phoenix lander will touch down on the surface of Mars. If everything proceeds according to plan, it will then start sending images and data back to Earth via one of two Mars orbiters and NASA's Deep Space Network...

Would love to see some of his techno writing over at BlogDowntown though.

From Hope to Main

nothing new! Yes there is.. just not too exciting for me (and some just downright depressing).

San Fernando Bldg during the 'short' but very uncomfortable for those living there power outage last weekend (Helman & the Continental weren't affected).

-several days of crappy heat
-a panic worrying about my next move,(not that far.. around the corner)
-several nights of insomnia
-cats getting hairballs on the TJ's catfood
-celebrated my 7th anniversary a night early by going to see "Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" at (you guessed it)the El Cap over at Hollywood & Highland. hmmm maybe I could do a review but then, what's the surprise in that?
-several walks to clear my head and not succeeding..
-wondering what's next?

Also around the neighborhood:
-filming at old bank dvd is still going on all day today;(rent a movie tomorrow?)

Cool stuff coming up in the next few days but wow! all at the same time after days of nothin' much:

-Streetcar coming to Broadway? Want to know more you can register at the door early a.m Thursday morning the 22nd. It's an all-day thing so hope your schedule is free! $25 for residents (otherwise it's $50).

-Art Festival at ArtShare in the Arts District, sponsored by LARABA and curated by Lilli Muller. Cool stuff and I hear Ed Fuentes is going to have a piece in it. ;) Not to mention about 30 other cool people... Susan Bolles, Emmerich, and Robert Vargas among the noted. That event is from 7pm to Midnight, so no excuse not to go and check it out and maybe contribute a little or a lot. Just saying. =)

-Also tomorrow night is the Zocolo event at the LATC.. for the taco truck! That is at 7pm and you need to be pre-registered for that. It's free and who doesn't love the ubiquitous taco trucks?

-

See? I really didn't have anything to post.. how about some pix? =)


A present for the Higgins at 2nd & Main in the late evening.. a giant crane to wake you with more construction.

Bike or Bus.. (or walk!)

Near City Hall, while running errands yesterday morning.

this installment dedicated to White Boy/ White Dog and his noisy crane.

another sunday another meander..

of two?


yep. I missed the meander of 8 last week.. Insomnia will do that to a person. Above is Meandering leader Warren. =)


Yesterday was sunny and bright and there were folks out and about.. a lot of LAFD folks doing their job, or doing some readiness training..



We went as far out as the Cornfield park rode around the track there where several joggers were getting their exercise in, as well.


small part of a bigger piece.. "DOGTOWN Mural"


outside a nearby market



and of course.. more LAFD action in the Arts District.

Alexander & the Litter Robot

Basically the conversation went something like this:

Joe: so what did you think of my Dog Poop post?

Meeko: I ought to make a video of the cats taking a dump in the Litter Robot in response to that.

Joe: You should!

Here you go Joe.. (a serious how-to, meant in jest to Big City Poz & his How To Pick Up Dog Pooh post. Enjoy!

LITTER ROBOT DEMO: Starring Alexander Rouse..

disclaimer:
No cats were actually harmed in the making of this video, and hey.. I had to change the bag in there anyway! =)

something to be happy about

good stuff: LA BIKE MEANDER! (and the power is back on at the San Fernando).

ps: I got a fun video coming up I promised Mr Cornish. ;P Soon!

Ed Fuentes: graphic designer, muralist, photographer, and mega blogger

VFaL
"view from a loft" is his blog (and is on typepad).


Digital Mural "Main Street Recovery" ©Ed Fuentes
photo ©ps rouse

Richard McDowell: poet, artist.. gallery owner?

The things you find on Blogdowntown when you can't sleep.. one of the "this day in archived history" kind of posts.. an article from 2005 about the street signage that Richard had put up around the Historic Core.

A LITTLE PUBLIC ART

A friend of mine purchased one of his one way "drugs" signs and I got to see it up close. Those things definitely seem better made than some of the real street signs around town. =)

I would have liked to have seen that old gallery show review though. The things you learn on the internets. =)

Weird little item..

While scrolling through Friday's City Council agenda (what? You all don't do this too?) for important stuff up for consideration, I came across this little gem that made me smile just the slightest bit.

File it under.. "political humor" (which I don't have a lot of experience with):

ITEM 08-1192: CD9 G MOTION(Perry/Hahn) Relative to declaring the Celebration of Freedom on July 4, 2008 a special event, (fees and costs absorbed by the City= $1,226).

Granted it's just one of many serious things the City must do to make it all official and whatnot. I dunno.. fill in your own punchline. Mine was "wow! I thought the celebration of freedom already is a special event! (for those that have it)"

Yeah, I know, needs work.. NEXT!

A Helpful Reminder to my Downtown Neighbors:

LAPD: "CLICK IT OR TICKET!"

"Los Angeles, California – The Los Angeles Police Department will be aggressively enforcing the state’s occupant protection laws as part of California’s 2008 Click It or Ticket mobilization, taking place May 12-June 1, 2008. The campaign relies on heavy enforcement and public education as a means to help California achieve the highest seat belt use rate in the nation. California currently has the nation’s fourth highest seat belt use rate at 94.6 percent.

California has a primary seat belt law which requires that every passenger in the car, including the driver, is required to wear a seat belt at all times. If stopped and found to be in violation, law enforcement will issue citations without warning. Tickets for first seat belt violations range from $80 to $91 for adults and $330 to $401 for children under age 16, depending on the county."

One of the first things I learned in Driver's Education several decades ago (yikes! am I that old I can say that?) was before you do anything, when you get in a car, before the mirror adjustment, before the key goes in the ignition, before ANYTHING, you put on your flippin' seatbelt.

That's what the LAPD's "click it or ticket" program is all about. I linked to the article above so you would know I'm not just blowing hot air at you. EVERY SINGLE OCCUPANT in your vehicle needs to be wearing a seatbelt.

I don't want to get anyone in trouble, but I know some folks in my family that are 'guilty' of this "I'm not driving, why do I need to wear that?" (ahem, mom..) but despite whatever discomfort one might have sitting in the backseat of a car, not having your seatbelt on might be a LOT more uncomfortable should (knock on wood it doesn't!) anything happen.

Be safe. Just a friendly reminder, and if nothing else, remember Downtown's Finest will be looking for that out on the street. If you drive, or when you drive. =)

Old Bank DVD hosts Prankster Double Feature!

Old Bank DVD for all your great dvd film rental needs.

For my downtown friends, a reminder that OLD BANK DVD is hosting a double feature of "Abel Raises Caine" and "Is there Sex After Death?" TONIGHT (the 10th of May).


Farmers & Merchants Bank Building on Main Street at the corner of 4th.

It's a fun night at the Farmer's & Merchants Bank Building. Tickets are $3 and doors open at 730pm.. FILM STARTS AT 8PM!

Read more at BlogDowntown Arts & Culture section:
Main Street Hosts Prankster

*drool* Hoagies & Wings *drool*

Forgive me while I clean up this mess I'm making as I'm recalling the delicious cheeseburger I just had for lunch at the NEW Downtown Hoagies and Wings location near 4th & Broadway (near Biddy Mason Plaza).



I had eaten here previously and enjoyed the Steak Hoagie, but upon reading the review on Erik's White Boy/White Dog wanted to give it a try.

I usually go to Weeneez for their cheeseburger, and I love their cheeseburger, but during the evenings of Art Walk when it's crazy/ busy, they may take the cheeseburger off the menu, so one needs a cheeseburger alternative!


I HAVE FOUND IT! Hoagies & Wings! OMG.. The seasoning.. the grilled onions! It's so good.

A really big plus besides them having great food, is the super nice folks that run the place. They're a family business and do a really great lunch crowd from the local city workers and the like, but in the evening, did you know they are still there serving up really great wings, steak hoagies & the burgers?

While I can't vouch for the 'greasiness' factor that "white boy/ white dog" mentions, I will say that if you are offered one of those 'wet nap' things, don't say no. ;)


My cheeseburger was juicy and seasoned and if I gave out an award for being "stuffed" they would have it. Unfortunately, they'll just have to live with knowing they have a really great burger! Now excuse me, while I finish off my diet soda and head off to art walk..

Hoagies & Wings
332 S. Broadway.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Tel: (213) 613-1212
Fax: (213) 613-1201

ps: call ahead or get delivery on order of $10 and up..

ART WALK tonight! =)

Just a kind reminder that today is ART WALK DAY! =) From about 12-9pm you can see and experience an amazing variety of art, music and performance at various Downtown venues. Don't wait 'til 6pm.. Get out and enjoy this lovely weather we're having downtown.

Things ramp up tonight with many of the artists receptions starting at 6pm and Comedy Walk at 8pm. But wait! There's more.. Just remember to be kind to the gallery owners and curators. Leave the alcohol and your wine glasses on the INSIDE, please! =)

We want to keep having safe & eventful art walks, without the glass hitting the pavement. =) yay! Art Walk!

ps: don't forget all the yummy food establishments that stay open later during art walk! I can personally vouch for the yummy Shish Kabob place up Main Street.. one of my faves, not to mention Marisco's on Spring and Pitfire Pizza on Main & 2nd.. omg good stuff. I'm hungry now, so no more updates from me til later!

Hair Today.. er.. Yesterday!

WARNING! GIRL-Y POST!!


The other day I mentioned having seen a really bad photo of the back of my head done by Don Garza, I was freaked & desperate to fix it soon! Having thus been mortified into getting my hair a much needed cut, I made into Orlando's Hair & Nails yesterday late afternoon.




I wanted my haircut of all those dead ends and funky fried things that happen when I've been coloring it and the fade and frizzies from the sun and carrying my backpack (which often catches my hair and pulls it by the fine breakable ends).


So maybe an hour later and some serious contemplation, I ended up losing about 4inches off the back of my head!




Was hoping my GilVille Neighbor would give me a 2nd opinion on this but heck.. it's a new me..

Thanks to Don in a backhanded way for pushing me into doing something about my split ends and funky fried hair.. and especially to Erik at Orlando's who convinced me to lose it all. ;)


Orlando's Hair & Nails
403 S Main St,
Los Angeles, CA(
213) 626-4247

How Many Bikes make a "meander?"

Today I managed to make the LA Bike Meander over at the Toy Lofts.. and very surprised that there was a meander.. of only 2! (Warren & myself).


colorful trailer Warren pointed out to me as we meandered


a gentleman out in front of his home practices his lasso technique.

However,it was of course still good and we rode around the Arts District and part of what might be considered the former industrial district and some of Boyle Heights,turning back to Broadway and to the Central Market where we were kindly treated to coffee and then I headed back to Main for a much needed nap.

Yeah.. two weeks off from the meander and I'm freaking out of shape. Better luck with my stamina next Sunday. I had fun though and appreciate the time spent! Thanks to Warren for being such a nice person and going on the meander with me, despite it being just two. =)

May Day 2008 cont.

This was as we were headed up into Little Tokyo following along with the American Apparel contingent. It's not everyday you see a lot of bike cops out together so I snapped it quick before the light and my zoom was pointless. ;)

MAY DAY 2008

Spent today somewhere on Broadway as well up by City Hall.. I have a small amount of photos of the hundred or so I took today.. and will be adding the ones from the concert at City Hall later.. There are so many images going out there of today's rally/protest, and I can't say that mine really add to that.. but it was cool.






It was my first time going to this event. I wanted to go last year but as with a lot of stuff 'blogging' related, I didn't want to go by myself, which is what I was facing at the time. After the thing at MacArthur Park last year, I was like "omg.. good thing I didn't go.." but this year was cool. This year was calm. Honestly, if the worst of it for me were those really bad pix of the back of my head Don Garza shot, it's not too bad at all. ;P ehh..

It's still the 3BN.. right?

This time is full of so much.. I know I was going to have some photos but I'm choosing instead to use ones I have already..

I still find it amazing my shaking hands took this photo.

Lost Souls.. I keep thinking I've lost my compass.. I'm making decisions I'm not used to dealing with.

Today I looked at a place in the Continental (still GilVille) and a couple hours later, having to still clean up & turn in the keys in South Park.. (a couple conference calls and a trip to the bank), not to mention we're still not 'moved in' or 'settled' into the one here on Main, I find myself in another flux.

I have a place. It's co-signed.. However, it will be mine. More changes to come in June. All this to enjoy the silence and the process of the thought. Quiet Writing and creation. Hopefully, a blooming of work as well.



Times like this I miss my compass. I'll be taking possession about a year & three weeks to the day. I'll have his namesake (Alexander), and Kiki to keep me company though.

EDIT: UPDATE: KEYS ARE TURNED IN.. No More "South Park" for this girl who walks/meanders downtown =)
this installment is again dedicated to BigCityPoz & perhaps to my Honorary Uncle LA & Tante Janine, who I still miss very much.

From Hope to Main

Dear bored or semi-regular readers (all 3 of you)

Today was another weird one in the moving process. I know moving, or any big life-changing experience is supposed to be stressful, yet cathartic, sad, joyful.. whatever. I'm having the stress end mostly. It's taking way too long, and there's just too much stuff. Much too much! This coming from someone who used to move a LOT and got used to the whole process.

I used to like moving. I found it a good way to clear the clutter and clear stagnant, non-productive energy and make room for new and amazing possibilities. The thing is, I'm not the only one making the move. While I have my own tendency to want things, I don't want too many things. The things that aren't mine or 'ours' or whatever.. it's not my decision to make. So the STUFF comes with us.

I find 'stuff' gets in the way a lot though. I'm not saying I want to sell off my worldly goods and go join a convent (hee hee) but I think when the focus is on the stuff and not on other things, there's something missing. For me, I can't think straight and I get overwhelmed. Like too many choices on a menu, narrowing things down and getting it right can be difficult. I have given up the desire to be one of those "collect the whole set" or MUST HAVE that, though again, there are times even I fall into that. I'm getting off track here, but you get the idea.

We only have so many days and we're running into glitches.. elevators going out at the old place, parking gates non-functioning, street closures, work schedules (not mine, but the spouse is still having work things to deal with) and on top of it all, there are scheduling issues with the various organizations that we considered donating the big stuff rather than take it to the new place.

When all of this is done though, it will be worth it and we'll get to go back to normal hopefully, that being what "normal" is these days. Then maybe in another month I get to do it again.. Times like these, I can't help but think of George Carlin and his routine on "stuff"..

Enough from me..

installment 5: dedicated to: SkidrowScribe and Central City East bloggers. =)

cable guy

waiting on the cable guy er, direct tv guy this morning..

Wonder if they'll have Channel 35?

edit: unfortunately, they don't have channel 35 (city council TV) *grumble* something I'll take into consideration should I have the option to get some sort of subscriber service for myself in the future. =(

They do, however carry BBC America.. which is my guilty pleasure when I do get to watch non-network TV.

installment 4

neither here nor there, the milk isn't spoiled

checking the dates of low-fat milk..

We are neither moved in or moved out.. Wednesday night at Ralphs

3rd installment

From Hope to Main

this installment dedicated to BGFA

something looks different..

could be the day.. or the tint..



could it be the sunlight outside?

this first installment dedicated to Big City Poz & Ruby =)

Ruben Salazar Day & First Day of Issue Stamp!

Breaking away from the move to Main Street to take in the Ruben Salazar exhibit over on Spring St, as well be the first person to purchase my sheet of stamps and get my first day of issue cancellation.

Other events going on today, and I'm sure I'll be checking a few of them out, (it is after all, Earth Day!) I'm "DASH-ing" over to Union Station to check out the concert I heard is going on over there.

I have more everyday tasks and photos I owe people, but if you can see the sun or feel the nice breeze Downtown is getting today, I'm sure you won't blame me for putting off the photo essay another day. =)

Ruben Salazar Day

LA Times Ruben Salazar is remembered with day commemorating his life and the USPS stamp unveiling.

Ruben Salazar remembered (LA Times)

You'll see many articles and news coverage today about his life and legacy to the city and people of Los Angeles. Being new here myself, I still encourage folks who have heard it before to pay attention.

It's people like Salazar who worked to make the world better in their own way, and there are people today you might recognize yourself, doing the same good things.

stay tuned.. watch this space..

something..something Downtown!

So since I was thinking to post something about it,and it's not a one day thing, I plan to do some kind of photo essay or series "a la Bert Green" maybe, of the move to Main Street.. the entire process might take 1-2 weeks.. so a 'PotD' might be in order.. or maybe a brief description with vague images. I haven't decided yet, or perhaps a mix of both.

so yeah, stay tuned.. all 2 or 3 of you that read this thing. ;P

EDIT: a little cat nap

Alexander knows something is up.. so he chews on the moving boxes to make sure they are properly marked and waits it out. He had a long wait when this photo was taken on the 14th of April. =)

Royal Claytons re-visited..

bbq tenderloin sandwich paired with sweet potato fries $12.


short end: good stuff!
long story:

I was out and about walking the afternoon and around 630 or so I realized I was feeling rather woozy and out of sorts. I called the hubby and asked him when I ate last, (because honestly I couldn't recall) and he reminded me it was around Noon. Well no wonder!

There was no way I was going to make it all the way back from where I was (which happened to be.. *shock!* the Toy Lofts) over near the far end of the Arts District not the Industrial District as some folks might call it.. I mean, what is that? Industrial District? That sounds more like Vernon to me, but what do I know? OK, I'm getting off track!

Anyway, I had just finished getting water but that wasn't doing the trick, so I figured some food would help. So here I found myself in front of Royal Claytons. I was wanting to come back here and eat because the place recently got some bad rap that I didn't think it deserved, not entirely. So here was my chance!

Technically this is the third time I visited here, the 2nd I really didn't have food so much as visit, but the first time I had the Cobb salad which was great! The second time was for Cpt Andy Smith's going away party.. and that was a short visit. The sodas were excellent as was the pizza I heard. =)

So then last Saturday I guess some folks went and had a bad experience.. a horrible one you'd think by the level of sarcasm they reserved for this place. I won't discount their bad experience but it seems a bit reactionary.. Service in any place can be spotty based on who is or isn't working that day. One doesn't necessary know the conditions that the kitchen and wait staff are under necessarily.. that given, the service and food should be somewhat regular..

I don't expect much in the service category, especially if there is only one person running the place. The food on the other hand should be alright to good to excellent. I wouldn't go to someplace like Applebee's and expect good food for instance. If on the other hand, I'm going someplace that has a chef on staff maybe it's to be expected the food turn out hot and edible.

As for me, this was the case. I got seated rather promptly with little to no wait (if you call waiting for a minute while the bar staff served another customer then came to seat me).

As far as seating it wasn't too busy and I had a choice of seating options. I sat I ordered a diet coke (I got a water almost immediately) and then looked over the menu. They have a huge selection. I was trying to find something energizing and not too heavy. I wanted to have protein but not pass out on the way back to South Park, which was a considerable walk.

I opted for the bbq tenderloin as you see above.. OMG too much food! The sandwich was piping hot and the sauce sweet and with the jalapeño peppers a nice tangy kick to the sauce. The sweet potato fries I opted for (you can get your choice of regular fries or salad or something else, I think) were so good! The server/bartender served it up with ketchup but I gushed to her that the fries really didn't need it. They were so good!!

I couldn't finish the fries although I tried, and against better judgment I took some home with me.. They were correct in that they lose their crispness when reheated, but the flavor is still there!

My advice is maybe share the sweet potato fries with a friend rather than bring them home to reheat.

I didn't have room for dessert but I hear they have excellent desserts. They have them listed on the menu, however you should probably ask the server what desserts they *do* have because they change sometimes daily.. so something might be gone or just not available that day. No worries, with stuff like "cookies & milk," cheesecake and "red velvet cake" making appearances, I'm sure there is something!

cost:
bbq tenderloin sandwich $12 and with diet coke & tax came to $15.70 plus tip
sandwiches run in the $10- $14 range, there's various salads, pastas, pizza, fish and pub fare as well.

Royal Claytons is located in the Arts District at Toy Factory Lofts:
1855 Industrial Street
Los Angeles, CA 90021

meandering night & day

NIGHT
Friday night I meandered on my own.. checked out the LA vs War firehouse (but didn't go in..lots of action going on though!) and rode around, took a couple shots, including one of my fave buildings in the Arts District.


space for rent.. but how much? ;)


recently ubiquitous Obama "Hope" seen around town.. made more interesting (IMHO) by the streetlight and shadows.

**

DAY

Today was the "LA Bike Meander" over at the Toy Lofts in the recently expanded Arts District, so before I passed out from heat exhaustion, I met up with folks and had a quick ride to Nokia & back..


new paint is going up in a couple places around the Arts District including what looks like a contract job over on Mateo.


Here's today's crew of meanders (we're a small group today.. 4 of us) making the turn back onto Olympic and back toward the Toy Lofts. It was about an hour and then some of us checked out the LA River Bridges tour going on today and some of us (that's me) just went home to recover after a quick stop-off for iced tea. ;)

LAmeander

Here we go.. Sunday Meander =P

April Art Walk (or maybe in some cases: 50 bottles of beer on the sidewalk)

I just want to preface this by saying not everyone was drinking, and yes, I do imbibe myself,(not when I'm 'working') but I do enjoy a glass now & again and maybe some good microbrews.. so with that prefaced... my little comentary on the larger number of folks drinking at Art Walk..

Temporary gallery space at the Rowan Lofts (open during part of art walk but not associated with art walk). This photo has nothing to do with my post, btw.. just thought it a good photo.

Thursday found me at the April Art Walk. I didn't see a lot, but I did get around and basically spent most of the night looking inward to the galleries. So many people! Art Walk had many more people than usual,(and Art Walk is usually pretty busy). However, this night there were so many people in for all the different goings-on by 9pm or so it was easy to see that these new folks were drinking and clogging the doors and sidewalks. So much though, that it kind of put a damper on my good mood.

I'm glad folks are coming downtown, and I'm glad they're attending Art Walk. I just wish they didn't drink so damn much! I wish if they did, that they would just have some sort of dignity and respect the rules that have been set up to not only protect them from getting arrested for open containers, but they would also respect the rights of the gallery owners to not have drunk gallery patrons.

Wine is for imbibing, not for getting shit-faced drunk. I think there's a difference in there somewhere. Your mother isn't here to tell you your limits, it's your job to know when to stop.

arts district sunset

After a day of being out & about (and technically still out and about as I'm warming my hands on a cup of cafe au lait over at Banquette as I write wrote this) I got treated to this lovely sunset as seen from just outside the Toy Lofts.

I had dinner at Royal Claytons where the Cobb Salad was pretty darn good (mmm bacon!) and the dessert rather scarce (must try coming here for lunch when the Red Velvet Cake is still available!), but that bodes well for the yumminess factor,no? I would have liked to have spent more time here so I guess it'll be something to look forward to another time.

It's all good I guess and despite any complaints I might have about the fading light, it was an alright day. I need to learn to appreciate the moments I get a little more, rather like this beautiful sunset. It really was lovely.

Now I need to finish my coffee and warm my hands back up. Thanks for reading and letting me go on. I really do babble too much, I guess so thanks for your patience. =)

busy weekend! busy week!

What can I say, it's been a busy weekend, and it's going to get even busier! (which is good for good reasons!)

This past Saturday was the Cherry Blossom Festival in Little Tokyo (which I attended briefly before heading out to Anaheim,CA). We all next headed over to the Block at Orange,where we had a nice & very filling meal at Koji's with friends (there were 7 of us) for shabu shabu, and a special treat to get to see our friend Kimmie who was visiting home from out of state for a couple days.


Happy belated bday to Kimmie-cat, who doesn't read this anyway. =)

Sunday found me on a 6 hour bus ride through kitsch-y Los Angeles thanks to the LAST EVER Charles Phoenix "Disneyland Tour of Downtown Los Angeles." It was not so much a tour of "LA as Disneyland", but more like a historical romp through town with a very brave & intrepid travel guide, (he was wearing Mickey ears and carrying a bullhorn which he wasn't afraid to use!) I would have loved to have taken this tour when we first moved to Downtown LA, but alas I would say that this would be a great treat for the out-of-towner's and new to Downtown folks, (assuming the tour was to continue).



More on that later.. I got a write-up to do on it and TONS of pictures to edit or upload or both. Just thinking about all those photos wears me out! LOL

This coming Thursday is the Downtown LA Art Walk & Comedy Walk.. not to mention a couple other treats in store, including a future move to the Historic Core,(good thing I didn't change the name of my blog!).

Today was an alright day, and not just because there's a new place for hot-wings in town.. I feel like there's been a small movement forward, not just for myself but for others around me. Kimmie is a good example and I'll just leave it at that. =)

Skid Row Watch Walk..

First Wednesday Every Month!

I just made it in time to go on the Skid Row Watch Walk with community activists and our LAPD this past week. I almost didn't make it because I got confused about what street to go to and I usually have one or two friends walking over there with me.

I did find the location (Midnight Mission at 6th & San Pedro) as I was only a block away, and I always seem to find a nice person to ask for directions. I've been lucky in that for such a rough and desperate area that Skid Row can be, there are many decent folks that are there, that are willing to interact and reach out. Those scared of going to such an event, it really is ok. If you've never been in a community that makes you uncomfortable or puts you out of your element, then you really haven't left your comfort zone.



Me, I don't like walking out of skid row at night by myself. I've never had to do that yet. I'm very grateful to those kind souls who have either walked with me, or, like this last time, given me a lift. =) Thank you!

Cesar Chavez

I'm running late, but I'll be here! Will you?

Port Chicago

While poking about the LA Central Library for other research materials I was looking into the other day, I walked by the Periodicals section which had the current issue of whatever magazine the LAPL happened to have. That's where I came across the Winter 2008 issue of National Parks Magazine and the Port Chicago article.

Little to no funding has been given to this almost forgotten piece of California (and Bay Area specifically) WWII history. Those who are familiar know of Port Chicago as the Naval Munitions Depot where in July of 1944 over 300 African-American Sailors lost their lives during one of the biggest munitions explosio