...and where better to go on such a beautiful day than the neighborhood botequim?

One of my favorite questions to pose to hotel workers when I'm in a city for the first time is to ask where they would go for a pleasant walk, experience the sunrise, or to really capture the spirit of place. Need I say that I've received some contemplative or startled looks sometimes in return, as they stopped to consider what local place or activity that they would choose to recharge their batteries.

One of my obsessions of the past few days has been the botequims of Rio de Janeiro. It started with a single photograph in a book... as many obsessions do. The educational and wonderfully engrossing sites of Daniella Thompson (click on the header at top) or Maria Brazil will explain far better than I could (beware-if you plan on peaking in just for a moment, you may spend hours there... time well spent). In LA, we have to settle for our local Starbucks or the foodcourt in the mall-- a poor substitute in deed!

My score is 32 out of 101 - how about you?

Photo by Lactoso

Criticial Miami had a great post yesterday that got me meditating on a favorite subject of mine. Miami Beach 411 had a list of things to take out-of-town visitors to when in Miami. But why just visitors? It would be interesting to put locals to the test to see how much of their city they have truly experienced--whatever city they live in.

I'd bet there are at least 101 places to discover about whatever place you happen to be in that could change your state of mind, broaden your horizons, and make you a better resident. An entire blog could probably be dedicated to lists of places to add to their list (actually, I think there's already a bunch of 'em). Among the links to the left are any number of sites that list adventures for numerous cities. Why not make a list of your own?

I should bust outside and hit some of the places on my list myself, while the weather beacons...

These images may be of women, for women, but what do you want to bet some clueless men came up with this campaign?

It didn't take long to find Isaiah Washington's bunkmates in rehab. This campaign is almost as offensive as that Ridley Scott anti-SAG ad a few years ago (no, we didn't forget).

When saying, "I'm sorry," by itself alone doesn't cut it...

Jay Leno joked after Isaiah Washington's apology for his homophobic slur that 'he ought to be a entering rehab any minute now.' And now word is, that he has. I know that decades ago a group of sincere activists started a group for white people to examine and overcome their racism, but I wasn't aware of the existence of Homophobia Anonymous.

From the news stories of late, that recovery facility has tapped into a growth market with a lot of potential.

I've said some dumb things myself in the past that had me wondering, what the heck did I say that? There's probably not a human alive who can't say the same thing.

There were activists in the sixties who used to say something to the effect that the wringing of hands and all was well and good, but one's actions would said say more to their sincerity. As they say in twelve step groups, Washington has taken the first, major step in recovery by admitting he was wrong and attempting to do with it. And what if there is no Homophobia Anonymous, and Washington has entered a facility for good old fashioned run of the mill chemical dependency? In vino veritas.

If Washington completes his treatment, at least he won't have to fear every plate or drink a waiter brings him from now on. Maybe he might even end up bunkmates with Michael Richards or Mel Gibson or any one of the other number of high profile personalities who have publicly regretted the words they spoke just a little bit too late.

Too bad there's such a list of people I'd like to push into intervention.

I've said some dumb things myself in the past that had me wondering, why the heck did I say that? There's probably not a human alive who can't say the same thing.

Assuming all goes the way it should at whatever facility Washington's in, it's one down, a couple hundred million to go...

No child left behind...

Photo by Scott Schaeffer-Duffy

mini miami

mini miami
Originally uploaded by miami fever.

Is this cool or what? Wouldn't it be great to have a miniature model of Miami? I've seen ones of San Francisco, New York and parts of LA (done by the WPA in 1940); but I didn't get to see the maqueta of La Habana. Maybe after the soon-too-come-celebration dies down... In the meantime, miami fever's photos oughtta get him some kind of award from the grand Poobahs.

Post-holiday musings: America Ferrera, Marcos Sacramento, and "Hillary versus Obama"

Marcos Sacramento

I woke up this morning to NPR going on again about 'Hillary versus Obama.' Frankly, I'm beginning to get irritated by this pack mentality in political coverage.

A number of my friends dispute what I see as the greater good that Obama has already done for American politics. Since capturing the national spotlight, he has done for politics what Venus Williams has done for tennis or Tiger Woods for golf. To some Americans it may be their worst nightmare, but I envision an entire generation of students inspired to look at public service as just that: service.

The America of the 21st century is already looking a heck of a lot different than it had in the past --or is the camera merely swinging around to show a truer picture of what has long existed but been denied exposure?

I like that Obama is of multiracial heritage. It may be the one thing about him that makes Newt Gingrich's constituency and the others behind his 'Contract With America' co-conspirators gag on their own bile. Yet he represents an America that has been in the forming since the first European presence in North America.

The chief difference between the current violence in Iraq dominating the news and that which is occurring here in America has more to do with how the media covers it (or doesn't) than the numbers of casualties.

There is a clarity to his style, a lack of bombastic rhetoric, and positiveness that is very much a part of what the rest of the world admires about America. And for all the troops we send around the world, the vision of Obama could do much more to assure people of our intent and motives being mutually beneficial.

About that violence in the Middle East... as I recall, during the Cold War it was common practice for the U.S. and the Soviet Union (and later China) to woo supporters with tanks and planes, but keep a short chain on the bullets and replacement parts. So where are these insurgents and terrorist groups getting their weapons? How are they being bankrolled?

Do we really think that the Arab League is bent on engineering its own annihilation through mass slow suicide? Why isn't there more media coverage along the lines of 'follow the money'?

Hamas and Hezbollah and Al Qaida don't make their own weapons nor bullets. They aren't manufactured in Iran or North Korea. So is the West actually engineering their own destruction by continuing to make the weapons of war available?

Why do we insist on continuing to manufacture gas-guzzling SUVs, and discourage the development of alternative energy sources in the face of dwindling supplies? It was widely reported in the media how those omnipresent gift cards have become an established part of our holiday gift giving... but has anyone stopped to consider that we might want to refrain for looking for more products to create from petroleum?


On a much lighter (and more lyrical) note, I discovered the work of Brasilian singer Marcos Sacramento over the holidays. Click on the header above for an article on him, or read the excellent profile of him on Daniella Thompson's website, or click on his name to a link to his website. I couldn't find him on the database at Barnes and Noble, though, so I guess I won't be able to use the gift cards I received over the holidays to purchase his albums. Just as well, I suppose. From what I've read of his work so far, I'll get more satisfaction spending my own money on him.

The Bright Star

While not predisposed to watching the Golden Globes, I got home last night in time to see 22 year-old America Ferrera's win. Her acceptance speech is the kind of inspirational dialogue I want to see more of in politics.

How about a government that encourages and supports women, single parents, immigrants, and those in need, instead of trying to force others to conform to their values?

And now for the Dark Star

Carl Karcher

Carl Karcher will be the second person to be honored by the city of Anaheim with a star along its walk of fame (the late Walt Disney was first), for his unwavering commitment to surpress the rights of women and ethnic minorities, anti-gay views, deliberate poisoning of American youth with his fast food (especially targeting ethnic youth), and insider trading.

Hmmm... that's not why he's being honored? You coulda fooled me.

Que bom! I KNEW this day would come back when I had my first set of Legos!

To think I gave up Legos before they actually started showing up as cutting edge buildings... This is just too cool. Maybe now that my nephew Miku is the logophile in the family, we can take a field trip down to Rio de Janeiro to visit this... assuming it gets built, that is.

With Friends Like These...

Somewhere under that mask is San Francisco artist Ron Travelletti, or so I hope...

brand new by tomorrow

brand new by tomorrow, the new album by Mark Nishita --aka MoneyMark is due out February 20th! Click on the link above for more information.

"A Writer's San Francisco" by Eric Maisel: my newest gift to myself

The illustrations are by none other than Paul Madonna, so not only does one get the wonderful insight of Eric Maisel and his ruminations on Everybody's Favorite City, but it has lovingly rendered images of The City by one of my favorite artists scattered throughout.

"Talking to the Moon" by Noel Alumit

Noel Alumit's new novel, Talking to the Moon, is now on the shelves! I hope you'll rush down to your nearest independent bookstore to purchase a copy.

A yucky thought I want to get off my chest...

Last night on David Letterman I heard, yet again, Donald Trump repeatedly refer to Rosie O'Donnell as 'a degenerate.'

By inference, he's saying that he thinks of all gay people as degenerate.

This from a man who has been married several times, to much younger women, which in the eyes of some religions, would make him a degenerate. Letterman tried several times to tell him that he ought not to say that, but Trump cut him off, and repeated himself.

There will be an interview with him and The Apprentice producer Mark Burnett in tomorrow's LA Times. I could give a flying rat's ass about his reality show or his opinions on anything else for that matter; and some reason I presume he'll be too wrapped up in his endless self-promotion to get into his ongoing feud with Rosie O'Donnell.

I don't much care how it all started; from what has been repeated second- or third-hand, Rosie had some thoughts about how Trump was handling his beauty queens. Am I the only one who finds it creepy that Trump "owns" these beauty pageants, anyway? Is picking cotton part of the official duties of the pageant winners, or do they vie for manumission?

I'm probably more upset by the whole affair than I might have otherwise been because the LaRouche people tried to ambush me again outside the supermarket. Either they don't know or don't care that they are working or volunteering for a homophobe, and possibly even getting off being in the heart of one of the largest gay and lesbian enclaves in the country trying to get people to donate money to their own detriment.

Since I have never watched The Apprentice, I won't miss not watching it. I'm beginning to wonder, however, if NBC shares Trump's viewpoint that gay people are degenerate. And I'm beginning to be concerned that some of the programs Trump has been on that have failed to mention (or edited out) any discussion of his use of the word may share the same view.

Trump won the right in court to develop property he purchased atop unstable cliffs in Palos Verdes...

It kind of makes you wonder if you REALLY want to live HERE, doesn't it?

Now THIS is the way to start off New Year... or the first day of the rest of your life

Wesley Aubrey photo by Felix Bryant

In a philosophy class once, I believe we had a discussion as to whether mankind could act in complete altruism.

I guess I have the irrefutable proof, that despite of some of the actions of some people, humankind has a chance.

I was all set to be ticked off at the Rosie-Donald feud (did he really just insinuate that we were all degenerate?) when I heard the news story of Wesley Aubrey's leaping off a subway platform to save a young man as a train was approaching the station.

So maybe I can't convince all my neighbors to recycle their garbage properly. I can take care to set an example, as imperfectly as I will, by my own small, individual actions. And once in a while, I may fail to hit the mark I set for myself. Yet I know what good humankind is capable of. It does happen-and I can tell the naysayers that there is irrefutable proof.

If you think that YOU'RE having a bad day...

Flying While Arab

This weekend I read an article in the December 2006 issue of The Progressive, about an August 2006 incident involving JetBlue and passenger Raed Jarrar. It seems another passenger was uncomfortable with his T-shirt, and reported him to security.

Frankly, I get a little nervous every time I hear a Southern drawl nearby... I start hearing "Strange Fruit" on endless loop in my head.

The Arab News reported that the Council on American-Islamic Relations has had an increase in complaints by passengers who were singled out because they were different.

If you feel you are unfairly targeted, whatever your ethnicity, race or religion, CAIR reminds you that you have the following rights:

1. Ask for the names and ID numbers of all persons involved in the incident.

2. Ask to speak to a supervisor.

3. Ask if you have been singled out because of your name, looks, dress, race, ethnicity, faith or national origin.

4. Ask witnesses to give you their names and contact information.

5. Write down a statement of facts immediately after the incident. Be sure to include the flight number, the date, and the name of the airline.

6. Contact CAIR (and/or your local human right commission) to file a report.


I wonder what would happen if indigenous Americans were to fly with European-Americans? Do they get nervous if the flight attendant offers them a blanket on red eye or inter-continental flights? And then, there's the sticky issue of the American invasion of Hawai'i which resulted in the overthrow of their monarchy and near complete decimation of their population. And that little incident where the CIA bombed the Presidential Palace in Santiago, Chile, resulting in the death of their democratically elected president.

And the list could go on and on...

It seems the rest of the world would have more to fear of Americans flying than we of them.

I guess we need to send our TSA people back for some basic re-training: like, what are those things on the runway called?

"You can't wear a T-shirt with Arabic script and come to an airport. It is like wearing a T-shirt that reads 'I am a bank robber' and going to a bank."

The code for responsible tourism is something I'll attempt to practice at home as well.

Remember those key words: "Please, Excuse me, Thank you, You're welcome, May I help you," etc.

Behave respectfully

Respect the dignity and privacy of others

Give with care

Consume local products when possible

Dispose of refuse properly

Minimize water and power use

Think about my impact

Ask what I will leave behind

...and don't beat myself up for my mistakes. I can always try again tomorrow!

Feliz Ano Novo!

With all the discouraging news in the year-end wrap up this morning on NPR, I came to the conclusion that the only 'non' resolution is to be the change you wish to see in the world.

Good bye, and good riddance

Two churches in Fairfax and Falls Church, Virginia have voted to secede from the Episcopal Church and join the Anglican Church of Nigeria Archbishop Peter Akinola over gay issues.

They'll be in good company, as the government of Nigeria is set to pass legislation that will outlaw belonging to a gay group, reading a gay book, watching a gay movie, visiting a gay internet site, and socializing by two or more gay people. Oh yes, and gay marriage, too.

Perhaps someday Akinola's statue will join Arthur Ashe as the only monuments honoring men of African descent along Richmond's Monument Avenue, lined with memorials to the Confederacy's attempt at a violent overthrow of the United States.

Maybe they could even put up one of those toppled statues of Saddam Hussein while they're at it. I'm sure Putin has some old statues of Stalin stored away somewhere that he could give 'em for good measure.

I'd just as soon have them relocate to the island of Lohachara. It would be more fitting.

Merry Christmas to all... and to all a good night

fresa_y_chocolate_(1993)_(cuba).avi

La Cuba de Ayer / Yesterdays Cuba

A promo documentary about Cuba before Castro, when I came to the US... from www.cuba-junky.com

Havana Cuba Satellite Fly-Over Images

A satellite flies over Havana Cuba (and Fidel says the gringos are watching!) and records these images in movie mode. Resolution 30CM!

A strange wind's a' blowin' ...must be a backdraft from all those holiday shoppers

I was surprised this morning by a light shower outside my door -barely more than a mist, really- that by breakfast gave way to a clear crisp powder blue sky. The wind, though, was something! What kite weather! I can only imagine how strong it must be down at Point Fermin or atop Twin Peaks.

We've been promised that this will turn into a mild Santa Ana that will last through Christmas. For now, the wind seems to blow west on one side of the boulevard, and to the east on the other.

I didn't find the pirate chantey CD I was hoping to play in order to combat the relentless onslaught of Christmas carols. My November Global Rhythm CD was more in line with the windy weather, which almost snatched the cap off my head.

Hopefully, if you're reading this, you had enough sense to stay out of the mall for your Christmas gifts. Vicki, Scotch, and Phideaux all have wonderful music you won't hear everywhere; and for books, Eduardo Santiago's Tomorrow They Will Kiss or Noel Alumit's Letters to Montgomery Clift.

You'll definitely be giving someone a cool gift they would appreciate!

Have a safe holiday, and be sure to hold on to your hats...

Happy Winter Solstice!

The Roberts home in Solstice Canyon, "Tropical Terrace," was designed by architect Paul Williams in 1952. By the way, he warned them of the possible consequences posed by fire danger, and balked at introducing a non-native site into a pristine environment. Thirty years later, the house did burn in a forest fire, and the Roberts family sold the property to the National Park Service to become part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Ironically, amid the ruins of the Roberts home, the tropical vegetation survived the fire and still lives on today (the rest of the hike is relatively pristine with native flora to shade your hike to the waterfall).

It is one of the few year-round waterfalls that is a short distance from LA, just off Pacific Coast Highway, easily reachable by a pleasant hike. Millions of tourists to Malibu pass by it every years without even knowing it exists.

Photo by Eric Richardson

The newest bookstore in Los Angeles, Metropolis Books, has opened at 440 South Main Street, between Winston and Fifth Streets, to the West of Little Tokyo and the Toy District. A link to their website may be found to the left.

I've also added a link to blogdowntown, which is a great source of stuff about Downtown LA (yes, there is a downtown) who heralded their grand opening.

I've shoveled my last walk, I hope... THIS is my idea of how to spend the holidays...

I made "Aquarela do Brasil" my unofficial holiday carol for the 2006 season. This is what happens when you hang around with South Americans. Sunday, December 17, there will be a street fair of sorts at the Brasilian Market in West Los Angeles, and I'm due for my acai fix...


Thanks to Daniella Thompson for having the image of "Aquarela do Brasil" along with the lyrics on her site...

Happy Hannukah!

I had fun making this paper menorah with my niece as well as a small version of as a Christmas tree ornament (how's that for multiculturalism?).

Whatever you choose to celebrate, enjoy. Just do yourself a favor and stay out of the mall. Today is the last scheduled day of business for Equal Writes bookstore in Long Beach, one of my favorite 'brick and mortar' stores. Independent bookstores are a very special place, and I'd like to think that we won't lose any more of them if we don't have to.

Downtown Los Angeles, as it happens, just had a grand opening yesterday for a brand new indie bookstore, Metro Books. I didn't hear about it until after it had happened, or I would have tried to get there; I understand that award-winning author Naomi Hirahara gave one of their first readings.

For the nincompoops who run Sea-Tac

These are religious symbols. A "Christmas Tree" is not.

Although Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky has apologized for starting the whole furor in Seattle (and elsewhere) over his request for a menorah at Sea-Tac Airport which temporarily resulted in the airport removing all their Christmas trees, I've noted in a number of discussions over the past few days that most people are unaware of the origins of what we commonly refer to here in America as "Christmas trees."

Observances of the change of seasons from Babylon to Scandinavia for thousands of years have included putting up trees in homes, sometimes decorated, sometimes not. The pagans converted who converted to Christianity who had evergreen trees didn't happen until rather late in the middle ages. Early clerics were very much against the practice, as a matter of fact, as it detracted from the religious observance they were trying to cram down people's throats.

...NOT a religous symbol. Okay?

Because jewelry is no good after an earthquake or hurricane

I've had to limit how much of the coverage surrounding the James Kim tragedy I watch. Yet, at the back of my mind is the fact that for all those years in scouting, and my Dad's stint in Search and Rescue during his Air Force service, more times than I care to admit, I've gone out hiking without telling anyone where I'd be, or without having any emergency supplies in my car.

Last summer, a park ranger and I exchanged incredulous glances at each other as a seriously dehydrated biker in 100-plus degree temperatures had come up to us in search of water.

A few holidays ago, Dad gave each of us one of these Red Cross backpacks (we thought was kind of funny at the time). Now I know it's a very sincere gift to tell someone that you really care about them.

This Sunday up just past the chicken corner....

Peter Shire and Robert Berryman will host a holiday open house this sunday, December 10, from noon to 5 p.m., at Echo Park Pottery, 1850 Echo Park Avenue. At 4:30 p.m., there will be a live acoustic set featuring (drum roll please)

Vicki Randle and Robert Berryman

Vicki will be performing music from her new CD, "Sleep City."

Just when I was about to blare my Halloween special effects CD to blot out all those Christmas Carols from popstars I'd never heard of... some music I want to listen to! You will, too.

Refreshments will be offered up, alongside the works of some 20-odd local artists for sale. It's the perfect antidote for anyone who in the last few weeks had to stumble out of the mall to get away from the fake snow while gasping for a breath of fresh air...

Even if you missed "Buy a Friend a Book Week" it's not too late to get a signed a copy as a holiday gift

Eduardo Santiago will read from his novel, Tomorrow They Will Kiss, on December 10th at 6 p.m. at 8853 Santa Monica Blvd.

If you have the good fortune to be in Miami for Art Basel/Miami, click on Critical Miami to the left for a great overview guide and links to the goings on all over da Beach.

Yes, good things DO happen

We celebrated Mara's birthday a day early feasting on delicious homemade lemon cake with cream cheese frosting. I gave her a package of maple vanilla tea and a picture book of Nantucket.

It seems to be so rare that we have the opportunity to celebrate our mentors. I have a hard time thinking of Mara as being about the same age as my Mom. I can't even imagine what it must be like to retire from one career, move across a continent, and pursue your dream at long last.

Good things have happened to a number of people around me. If nothing else, what a great feeling it is to see dreams come true for good people who worked for them.