I have been thinking of a song, written in the 80's by an old friend, Bob Walker, that the band I used to "work" for Manakin, used to perform. I say "work" in quotes because it was a lot of fun and there was no pay, except a few bucks for gas here and there and a post-show drink. It was the late 70's, early 80's and I learned a lot, doing that sort of "roadie" work. I used it when I was the " Move Coordinator" for the Library. In any case, the song, written in the early days of the Reagan Administration, spoke of our fears of a Russian invasion If I am remembering the lyrics right, it began:
When Ivan comes
with his megabombs
roll out the Red carpet
and you and I will scurry to the bunkers
The crescendo, if you will ,was the chorus, with the entire band singing "Who will be the loser? When Ivan comes When Ivan comes"
I keep hearing that in my head, every time I read some I-can't-believe-this-guy-is-going-to-be-president quote from the Orange Menace. I am both saddened and angry, incredulous that THIS person is allowed to be in charge of anything. The thing that makes me physically ILL is the arrogant morons like McTurtle, lining up behind him. To quote from "Wicked" "I hope you're proud how you would grovel in submission to feed your own ambition" The Republicans who said Trump was not fit during his candidacy who now are slobbering all over themselves so their wives can get cabinet posts. These "leaders" are an insult to democracy. Greed and avarice. The ultimate corruption.
I am afraid that in their quest to make themselves richer and more powerful they will destroy this country. Certainly a person as thin-skinned as Donald J. Trump has NO business being in control of launch codes. He does not understand that there IS no such thing as limited nuclear war and that ( to quote an old anti nuke song) "plutonium is forever."
Maybe I should send him a copy of Nevil Shute's classic "On the Beach" Naw. Rumor has it , the Orange One is illiterate. In the coming months, WE must prepare to fight back for the things we hold dear. We need to protect Social Security and Medicare. We need to protect Planned Parenthood and LGBT rights. There are so many battlefronts, it's going to be hard to choose what to do and we are going to be exhausted at the end of it all, but fight back we must. I am seeing cracks in the party unity and that consoles me. Reasonable people without a ME ! ME! ME! agenda will rise to protect us from this disaster and we MUST support them in every way we can.
Monday, January 9, 2017
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Rain
It's raining and that's both a blessing and a curse. We need the rain. Despite what the Orange Menace has to say about it, California has been in the throes of a HUGE drought for the last several years. I know it will take several years of this type of weather to make things right again, but we need the rain. When I wake up and hear rain on the roof, I think "ah, it's raining, then IMMEDIATELY default to "aw shit! it's RAINING!" Rain for me changes my day, especially a hard or prolonged rain. I am in charge of the maintenance or seventy-two ( yeas all of them are mine) branch libraries. My only comfort is I currently have NO responsibility for the Central Library. Whew!
When it rains, I think about people who live out in the elements and hope they find a place that is safe and dry. There are so many homeless people out here in Los Angeles and my neighborhood had become overrun with encampments. It's both sad and scary. Some people are on the streets by choice- there was a guy who used to panhandle in front of my building when I worked on Spring St. The local restaurant offered him a job and he turned them down, said he could make better "wages" panhandling. The owner was shocked and saddened. It happens. My Union does a meal service at one of the shelters in downtown every month and quarterly here in the Valley. Both have programs to help people get back on their feet. It's sad when you see the same residents, but Some of them look much stronger than when we first encountered them, so there is progress there. With the new administration, I fear the economy for the 99% is just going to get worse. I have to hold onto hope for all of us.
I'd better get moving. Rain and construction on the 210 promises a hellish commute, although I don't think they work in the rain. Still the lanes end abruptly and people don't take any extra care when the wet stuff falls from the sky.
It's cold up here in the foothills. I hope it doesn't snow!
When it rains, I think about people who live out in the elements and hope they find a place that is safe and dry. There are so many homeless people out here in Los Angeles and my neighborhood had become overrun with encampments. It's both sad and scary. Some people are on the streets by choice- there was a guy who used to panhandle in front of my building when I worked on Spring St. The local restaurant offered him a job and he turned them down, said he could make better "wages" panhandling. The owner was shocked and saddened. It happens. My Union does a meal service at one of the shelters in downtown every month and quarterly here in the Valley. Both have programs to help people get back on their feet. It's sad when you see the same residents, but Some of them look much stronger than when we first encountered them, so there is progress there. With the new administration, I fear the economy for the 99% is just going to get worse. I have to hold onto hope for all of us.
I'd better get moving. Rain and construction on the 210 promises a hellish commute, although I don't think they work in the rain. Still the lanes end abruptly and people don't take any extra care when the wet stuff falls from the sky.
It's cold up here in the foothills. I hope it doesn't snow!
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Morning in my house
I am thinking of the Warren Zevon song that begins" I was sitting in the Hollywood Hawaiian Hotel, I was staring in my empty coffee cup" Yeah that pretty much sums it up. I need new knees or specifically a new LEFT knee. The trip down five flights of stairs in an emergency evacuation- the second one in a week- really did some damage. I was in agony last night and had to take extra meds to sleep. There was NO position that didn't send messages of howling pain to my brain. I don't WANT to take that much medication, but I was unable to sleep, so I gave in. I had weird dreams as a result- trying to get to the wedding of a friend and I kept missing it. I kept trying to get everyone dressed and out the door. She was getting married at four and it was like "Groundhog day" with the clock resetting in my dream as I tried to get everyone in my family, including people I do not know but in my dream they were part of the family, out the door. The second time we almost made it. I kept seeing Facebook posts from friends who were already AT the wedding. It was just.. unnerving. I don't think my friend Sandy is getting married anytime soon, and as we are Facebook friends ( we had been good friends at some point in our teen years but drifted in different directions, I am still quite fond of her) I don't think if she were getting married that I would be on the guest list ( no problem there, you can't invite EVERYONE to your wedding unless you are a Kardashian and can televise the freaking event).
I have an appointment with the surgeon at the end of the month. Am I scared? you bet. But remember my new credo is that FEAR means, Face Everything and Rise. It's ok to be afraid. My sister thinks I am a big ol' chicken and says so. A lot. Ok for her. SHE'S not afraid of anything. Me? I'm... cautious. Yeah. Careful. That's it! I look at everything then decide. But I DO decide. I need the new knee, sooner than later. It's gonna be ok. Everyone who has had it done says they are glad when it is over. I have had a lot of surgical procedures. I know what to expect. It's gonna hurt, but I am strong and will have good meds and loving support.
It's gonna be ok.
I have an appointment with the surgeon at the end of the month. Am I scared? you bet. But remember my new credo is that FEAR means, Face Everything and Rise. It's ok to be afraid. My sister thinks I am a big ol' chicken and says so. A lot. Ok for her. SHE'S not afraid of anything. Me? I'm... cautious. Yeah. Careful. That's it! I look at everything then decide. But I DO decide. I need the new knee, sooner than later. It's gonna be ok. Everyone who has had it done says they are glad when it is over. I have had a lot of surgical procedures. I know what to expect. It's gonna hurt, but I am strong and will have good meds and loving support.
It's gonna be ok.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Writing
hmm, only three days into the New Year and I have kind of broken my promise to myself. I said I would try to write something every day. As Yoda says, "There is no 'try' only DO" On a side note, I believe that was one of the tenets of EST, but as usual I digress.
We had breakfast with a friend I have not seen in a while and it was nice catching up. I will be writing a review of the little coffee shop we went to. It wasn't the first time I had been there, but I think I just got coffee and a muffin last time. I watched the Rose Parade and really missed the former hosts. One guy really needed a history lesson. The artist who built the Watts Towers was Simon Rodia, NOT Sam Rodeo. Sheesh. The floats are displayed in the park at the end of the parade. Maybe next year, if I am feeling stronger, I want to go and look at them. Apparently it is a real zoo. We went once, years ago, but got there so late we saw about four floats before the park closed. I would like to go to the parade, but with seats. I am too darned old to be dragging chairs onto Colorado Blvd and fighting for space among people who think they can show up late and stand in front of you- this happens to me at every parade I go to.
Last night at dinner, Chris said we should not talk politics for the evening. It's hard to do. There is so much to fear with the new Regime. It's going to be a hard four years if the Orange Menace is left unchecked. I was thinking about fear and wondering if you manifest it by being afraid, as if that somehow draws the very thing you are afraid of to you. Probably. So I am going to think about fear as the abbreviation of "Face Everything And Rise" Rise is a great word, isn't it? It carries with t a hope and a longing. I like that word as a command. We wait for the sun to rise. We rise from sleep. We rise up against injustice. That's going to be the word I try to remember., I read quote from T. S. Eliot- a poet whose work I love.
“For last year's words belong to last year's language
We had breakfast with a friend I have not seen in a while and it was nice catching up. I will be writing a review of the little coffee shop we went to. It wasn't the first time I had been there, but I think I just got coffee and a muffin last time. I watched the Rose Parade and really missed the former hosts. One guy really needed a history lesson. The artist who built the Watts Towers was Simon Rodia, NOT Sam Rodeo. Sheesh. The floats are displayed in the park at the end of the parade. Maybe next year, if I am feeling stronger, I want to go and look at them. Apparently it is a real zoo. We went once, years ago, but got there so late we saw about four floats before the park closed. I would like to go to the parade, but with seats. I am too darned old to be dragging chairs onto Colorado Blvd and fighting for space among people who think they can show up late and stand in front of you- this happens to me at every parade I go to.
Last night at dinner, Chris said we should not talk politics for the evening. It's hard to do. There is so much to fear with the new Regime. It's going to be a hard four years if the Orange Menace is left unchecked. I was thinking about fear and wondering if you manifest it by being afraid, as if that somehow draws the very thing you are afraid of to you. Probably. So I am going to think about fear as the abbreviation of "Face Everything And Rise" Rise is a great word, isn't it? It carries with t a hope and a longing. I like that word as a command. We wait for the sun to rise. We rise from sleep. We rise up against injustice. That's going to be the word I try to remember., I read quote from T. S. Eliot- a poet whose work I love.
“For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.”
Interesting concept, that we have a whole new language for the new year, Maybe it means that new voices must come forward to create new ideas for the new year. I have to re-read "Four Quarters" I will try to get A book of Eliot's poetry today, although he can be a bit long winded, if I break him down in cantos, I should be able to get through him with a better understanding.
I really have to take a poetry class or something. I miss talking about poetry and books. I know there is a Poets Society here, but I don't think that group is for me. I need to look for something that will stimulate my reading and by extension, my writing. I COULD take online classes. Chris says I should be writing short stories and frankly I have been reading them to see if I can get a sense of structure. Some of the ones I have read recently, by well known authors, are gawd-awful. I think most short stores are a snapshot of a moment, not something with a beginning , middle and end, sometimes the story just leaves you with a "what was that about?" feeling, like eavesdropping on a conversation on the subway and having to get off before the teller finishes the tale. I think an online refresher might help. I took a class in college but that was about 37 years ago so I am a wee bit, shall we say, rusty?
In the meantime, I will continue trying to write here everyday as I collect my morning thoughts over coffee before heading out for work. I will do my best not to complain without thinking about what can be done and I will offer a peek into what's going on in my head; as mixed up and confusing as some of my thoughts may be.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Happy New Year
Happy New Year. We put a lot of faith in those three words, don't we? What is is about the turning of the calendar to a new year that fills us with hope. I am getting cynical in my old age, but New Year's Day is just another day. If you really want to hope, try doing it every day instead of waiting for some mythical dragon to appear and take all the trouble away in a fire-breathing rush on New Year's Eve. Baby steps. Every. single. Day.
I got up and got ready to watch the parade,only to remember this is Sunday and they don't run the parade if New Year's Day is Sunday. Hmmm Now what to do? I have been wasting a lot of time with online games and things that don't matter. I need to write. I try not to do New Year's Resolutions that are either impractical or impossible. Sure, EVERYONE resolves to spend less, save more, eat better, lose weight... blah blah blah. I remember a book I read in my teen years, where the family was writing down resolutions. One child was developmentally disabled. For him, they resolved he should be happy. So there. I resolve to be happy- or try my best to be. I resolve to accept things I cannot change, but more importantly to change things I cannot accept. The political news is terrifying to me in the "plans" to eliminate Social Security and Medicare; to restrict reproductive rights and the rights of the LGBT community. This year, I will choose the thing I feel strongest about and join together with like minded citizens to protect OUR rights against the growing tide of hate and bigotry. I am one person. But together we CAN make a difference. My father used to say "your rights end at my nose" How dare anyone decree what I am to believe. This is NOT, despite what some people think, A "christian" nation. We have the freedom OF and the freedom FROM religion. I am afraid that the incoming administration will chose one form of Christianity that we must all follow. Not going to happen. They WILL try.
So, Happy New Year. I wish us all peace and prosperity in the coming year and may your dreams become a reality.
I got up and got ready to watch the parade,only to remember this is Sunday and they don't run the parade if New Year's Day is Sunday. Hmmm Now what to do? I have been wasting a lot of time with online games and things that don't matter. I need to write. I try not to do New Year's Resolutions that are either impractical or impossible. Sure, EVERYONE resolves to spend less, save more, eat better, lose weight... blah blah blah. I remember a book I read in my teen years, where the family was writing down resolutions. One child was developmentally disabled. For him, they resolved he should be happy. So there. I resolve to be happy- or try my best to be. I resolve to accept things I cannot change, but more importantly to change things I cannot accept. The political news is terrifying to me in the "plans" to eliminate Social Security and Medicare; to restrict reproductive rights and the rights of the LGBT community. This year, I will choose the thing I feel strongest about and join together with like minded citizens to protect OUR rights against the growing tide of hate and bigotry. I am one person. But together we CAN make a difference. My father used to say "your rights end at my nose" How dare anyone decree what I am to believe. This is NOT, despite what some people think, A "christian" nation. We have the freedom OF and the freedom FROM religion. I am afraid that the incoming administration will chose one form of Christianity that we must all follow. Not going to happen. They WILL try.
So, Happy New Year. I wish us all peace and prosperity in the coming year and may your dreams become a reality.
Friday, December 30, 2016
Post Christmas thoughts
So, for all intents and purposes, Christmas is over. The tree still stands in the cornet of my living room, but I don't dare turn the lights on. It was a nice tree. I always get a "real" tree", the smell is nice, but I find the needles wedged under the couch in July. Seriously, I sweep the living room clean but those things seem to appear as if they have been hiding for a while and decide to appear at odd times. Just a little Christmas all year long, I suppose.
It was a weird Christmas. Sometimes I long for the magical Christmases I seem to remember as a child, but then I remember it's MY job to provide the magic. My grandson is ALMOST old enough to understand and anticipate Christmas, next year should be a hoot. NEXT year, he will either run to or from Santa. Somewhere, I believe my ex-husband has the video of Kate running through the mall to get away from Santa. Silly and bittersweet. She squeezed through the little faux picket fence that surrounded his chair and ran like hell. I'm laughing and chasing her, along with one of the elves, who said it happens all the time. I suppose I should remind her of that at some point, so she and my son-in-law are ready if Bobby takes a powder as well.
I read an article, complaining about how"politically incorrect" Christmas songs were. I can't remember all of them, but they singled out "Jingle Bells" for the sledding accident,"Gramma got run over by a reindeer" because seeing Gramma with hoof-marks would traumatize any child ( it's a SPOOF for goodness sakes- I wonder what they would say about a childhood favorite of mine "Camp Granada") They talked about "Baby it's cold outside" being about... date rape. Sheesh, listen carefully. She's not trying to get away, she's trying to keep her 1950's reputation where "good girls" didn't spend the night with a man. You need to look at things in context, she keeps saying, "well. maybe I can stay for a few minutes more" not LET GO OF ME AND DID YOU JUST DRUG ME. The line "what's in this drink" is a toss off to when people blamed their behavior on having had too much to drink, not that he slipped her a mickey. The article also complained about the extreme consumerism of "Santa Baby" c'mon. the character is a classic"gold digger" and while it's not a flattering portrait of anyone you need to take it in the spirit intended, an adult version of a greedy child; it's NOT serious. I spent a lot of time singing more "devotional" Christmas songs this year, although I did listen to Jette Betrue sing "Santa's on vacation" more than once. She made me smile. Mostly I listened to Corrine May's "the Gift" in my car and a Pandora mix of Nat King Cole holiday tunes at home, which heavily featured him and Bing Crosby. Those were what my parents listened to as they prepared for the holidays. I did a LOT of baking- more than I really needed to - but a bit of the holiday spirit still eluded me. Christmas was here and gone before I knew it. Things in Casa Myers got a bit frantic. Chris and I are planning on doing NOTHING and I mean NOTHING for New Year's eve. I plan on watching Netflix and having some snacks and a glass of champagne at midnight. No parties. No going out. A quiet few days at home together. He was gone for a month and I just need to hang out with him.
If you are wondering about the state of my car after last Friday's accident GOOD NEWS. There was NO damage, except a few scrapes on the bumper. I need a new bulb for my headlight, but it looks like it just burned out not that i's damaged. I would be willing to bet the guy I hit will get a mew bumper from the incident but that's how it goes. I have good insurance and AAA treated me kindly NOT like I had committed some kind of crime and was trying to rip them off ( I'm talking to YOU Mercury Insurance!) Don't get me started on how they treated me when I got hit by a truck and the truck ran. They refused to cover me, because I could not identify the vehicle, even though the CHP verified it. It was a long time ago.
It was a weird Christmas. Sometimes I long for the magical Christmases I seem to remember as a child, but then I remember it's MY job to provide the magic. My grandson is ALMOST old enough to understand and anticipate Christmas, next year should be a hoot. NEXT year, he will either run to or from Santa. Somewhere, I believe my ex-husband has the video of Kate running through the mall to get away from Santa. Silly and bittersweet. She squeezed through the little faux picket fence that surrounded his chair and ran like hell. I'm laughing and chasing her, along with one of the elves, who said it happens all the time. I suppose I should remind her of that at some point, so she and my son-in-law are ready if Bobby takes a powder as well.
I read an article, complaining about how"politically incorrect" Christmas songs were. I can't remember all of them, but they singled out "Jingle Bells" for the sledding accident,"Gramma got run over by a reindeer" because seeing Gramma with hoof-marks would traumatize any child ( it's a SPOOF for goodness sakes- I wonder what they would say about a childhood favorite of mine "Camp Granada") They talked about "Baby it's cold outside" being about... date rape. Sheesh, listen carefully. She's not trying to get away, she's trying to keep her 1950's reputation where "good girls" didn't spend the night with a man. You need to look at things in context, she keeps saying, "well. maybe I can stay for a few minutes more" not LET GO OF ME AND DID YOU JUST DRUG ME. The line "what's in this drink" is a toss off to when people blamed their behavior on having had too much to drink, not that he slipped her a mickey. The article also complained about the extreme consumerism of "Santa Baby" c'mon. the character is a classic"gold digger" and while it's not a flattering portrait of anyone you need to take it in the spirit intended, an adult version of a greedy child; it's NOT serious. I spent a lot of time singing more "devotional" Christmas songs this year, although I did listen to Jette Betrue sing "Santa's on vacation" more than once. She made me smile. Mostly I listened to Corrine May's "the Gift" in my car and a Pandora mix of Nat King Cole holiday tunes at home, which heavily featured him and Bing Crosby. Those were what my parents listened to as they prepared for the holidays. I did a LOT of baking- more than I really needed to - but a bit of the holiday spirit still eluded me. Christmas was here and gone before I knew it. Things in Casa Myers got a bit frantic. Chris and I are planning on doing NOTHING and I mean NOTHING for New Year's eve. I plan on watching Netflix and having some snacks and a glass of champagne at midnight. No parties. No going out. A quiet few days at home together. He was gone for a month and I just need to hang out with him.
If you are wondering about the state of my car after last Friday's accident GOOD NEWS. There was NO damage, except a few scrapes on the bumper. I need a new bulb for my headlight, but it looks like it just burned out not that i's damaged. I would be willing to bet the guy I hit will get a mew bumper from the incident but that's how it goes. I have good insurance and AAA treated me kindly NOT like I had committed some kind of crime and was trying to rip them off ( I'm talking to YOU Mercury Insurance!) Don't get me started on how they treated me when I got hit by a truck and the truck ran. They refused to cover me, because I could not identify the vehicle, even though the CHP verified it. It was a long time ago.
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Saturday night in Tujunga.
I went to a memorial service for a friend this morning. While I knew Michelle from our work on the Board of McGroarty Arts Center, it seems there was so much I did not know about her. I did not know, for instance, that she had a son who did not live, She touched so many lives in her therapy practice and her other community work. The room was packed. My take-away was something someone said.. I have forgotten the exact words but it was something to the effect of "That stuff doesn't matter. Go and live your life" Ok. I will try to do that. There are things I have been fighting to change, but realized that I have to let go and let the Universe, of God do whatever it is supposed to be. Everything in its' time.
Living up here in the Foothills is a mix of peaceful and crazy. I swear "Tujunga " is the Tongvan word for "bad driver" Driving down Foothill, sometimes you take your life in your hands. People either tailgate you or swerve around you, even if you are going above the speed limit. There are so many accidents,one of the local papers has a "Wreck of the week" column. This is the same paper who prints local recipes and I kid you not, once had a recipe for Squirrel stew. I believe it was NOT a satirical piece.
This week, for personal reasons, I resigned from all volunteer duties at my beloved McGroarty Arts Center. I had dedicated close to twelve years of working to keep the Center healthy. Now it's time to step away and focus on me. Selfish of me, but I need more time to focus on what my goals are. I wish the Center well. It is an important place in our Community, the goal I strove for was "affordable arts education for all" I hope this will remain the purpose, as so many people in this community do not have access to art classes. Creativity is so important to healthy people. We focus so much on Math and Science, we forget that art give balance to a scientific mind. We devalue artists as being a drain on society, when we need beauty around us. Good art, of any sort, whether painting or drawing or theater or poetry, heals the soul and opens the mind. We pay sports figures an astronomical amount to "entertain" us with their feats, but someone who paints is just "dabbling" and the cost of a painting is unrealistic. When you buy a piece of art, you are buying someone's hard work as well ( except for Jackson Pollock, that looks like a drop cloth to me- ah well to each his own)
I'm going to try to bake this weekend. So much has been happening, I am not sure I want to have Christmas at all. I will try to get into the spirit by baking and listening to Nat King Cole. It's not Christmas till he sings.
Living up here in the Foothills is a mix of peaceful and crazy. I swear "Tujunga " is the Tongvan word for "bad driver" Driving down Foothill, sometimes you take your life in your hands. People either tailgate you or swerve around you, even if you are going above the speed limit. There are so many accidents,one of the local papers has a "Wreck of the week" column. This is the same paper who prints local recipes and I kid you not, once had a recipe for Squirrel stew. I believe it was NOT a satirical piece.
This week, for personal reasons, I resigned from all volunteer duties at my beloved McGroarty Arts Center. I had dedicated close to twelve years of working to keep the Center healthy. Now it's time to step away and focus on me. Selfish of me, but I need more time to focus on what my goals are. I wish the Center well. It is an important place in our Community, the goal I strove for was "affordable arts education for all" I hope this will remain the purpose, as so many people in this community do not have access to art classes. Creativity is so important to healthy people. We focus so much on Math and Science, we forget that art give balance to a scientific mind. We devalue artists as being a drain on society, when we need beauty around us. Good art, of any sort, whether painting or drawing or theater or poetry, heals the soul and opens the mind. We pay sports figures an astronomical amount to "entertain" us with their feats, but someone who paints is just "dabbling" and the cost of a painting is unrealistic. When you buy a piece of art, you are buying someone's hard work as well ( except for Jackson Pollock, that looks like a drop cloth to me- ah well to each his own)
I'm going to try to bake this weekend. So much has been happening, I am not sure I want to have Christmas at all. I will try to get into the spirit by baking and listening to Nat King Cole. It's not Christmas till he sings.
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