I was dog-sitting for Roscoe the Rottweiler all weekend, and we had a nice time. Chazz & Rio came by for a play date, and the beautiful weather made for lots of outings:
Winter in Los Angeles…dogs in the hood prefer fashion over function
Oh, and as for kids, Andrew always delivers. Here’s how he responded when, instead of asking him what he learned at school, I asked him about the questions he asked at school. Why this hasn’t gone viral yet, I don’t know:
OK, admittedly a sensational headline…but I did dream it! Let me explain. Saturday, my “wife” Sabine flew into Los Angeles from El Salvador on a short layover before returning to Germany and eventually Africa. We had a wonderful lobster lunch on the marina:
Back to LAX for the long trip home…as shot from my sunroof
And now for the reason you clicked this…the dream headline in the title. Before I left for the airport to pick Sabine up, I posted the following on facebook:
After 1 day, the post had nearly 60 comments, so it clearly struck a nerve with people. The lone right wing gun advocate who commented however, was no match for my liberal friends. After a while, I left the fray, and let the interwebs duke it out. I devote plenty of space on this blog to my views on Sarah Palin as well as gun control. My positions are well documented. Regular readers may remember the eyewitness accounts that Sabine and her friends provided from the Virginia Tech shootings several years ago:
As psychologist and neuroscientist Drew Weston said, “Saturday was not the first time Gabby Giffords — or countless other lawmakers, candidates, and elected officials, including President Obama — was confronted at a campaign rally or town hall meeting by gun-toting bullies [sic, Republicans], whose primary goal (at least until this weekend) was intimidation. That bringing a concealed weapon within that proximity to an elected official could be legal in the world’s longest-lasting democracy is both surreal and shameful — and now it threatens that democracy.“
“Mr. Kurtz is wrong. The killer is not “a lone nutjob.” He is one of us, clothed and fed on perpetual war and the dialog of destruction.
We have become a nation of, by …and for perpetual war. Perpetual war is our addiction and our language, and as Kurtz so chillingly admits – war is the metaphor of politics and business and daily discourse. But I tell you that a nation of perpetual war and constant fear eventually succumbs to self-hatred and self-loathing. It becomes consumed by the value of extremism in the maintenance of empty empire through the deceit of language. A nation of perpetual war numbs itself to violence by constant repetition of the rhetoric of death and mayhem and the slogans of militarism. A nation of perpetual war does not value human life – but rather the hollow rhetoric about human life. Mr. Kurtz and others would have us avert our eyes and avoid looking into the mirror and facing the reflection of our words and deeds. I can only imagine what Mr. Kurtz and others would have written had the shooter been named Mohammed Abdullah. Christina Taylor Greene was 9 years old. She was born on a day of death and madness, September 11, 2001, and she died on a day of death and madness. She is, in the flippant jargon of perpetual war – collateral damage. Words have power. Yesterday, 20 human beings were shot and 6 human beings were killed.”
“Southern California began 2011 with a traffic jam for the record books, as a powerful snowstorm stranded and stymied thousands trying to get between Northern and Southern California at the end of a long holiday weekend. Some motorists said drives that normally took four hours lasted 12 hours or longer as they inched through blinding snow, gridlocked roads and slippery black ice as well as a succession of accidents and stalled cars…“ So said the LA Times today, and they were right. After a wonderful week in Madera ringing in the New Year with GLY’er Eva and her wonderful family, my trip home was anything but uneventful, due to that snow storm in the mountains. In the 11 hours it took me to get home, I saw rain, hail, snow, black ice, freezing fog, a rainbow and a most beautiful sunset. Take a look:
The first rainbow, hailstorm and snowstorm of 2011…all taken while driving on I-5
It’s 2011. Shouldn’t we have teleportation by now?
The last sunset of 2010 and a joyous reunion with Eva’s family and Meghan’s new baby
The first sunrise of 2011 complete with frosty oranges!
Daniela still needs a little help staying up on her rocking horse from Mom and Aunt Eva
All bundled up, enjoying a walk in the Madera sunshine
Mugging for the camera!
New Year’s Breakfast
I love the way Mom & Grandma are looking at her!
A hearty breakfast before what I thought would be a four hour drive. Little did I know!
While much of America digs out from record snowfall from a storm that originated as 6 days of rare rain here in California; we ended up having a pretty beautiful Christmas Day. I am very glad that I did not fly anywhere for the holidays. The rain we had most of last week was complete with mudslides, hail and the now obligatory double rainbow. The week of crazy weather didn’t phase Santa however, and the kids in our family (including me) had a wonderful Christmas. It was certainly better than last Christmas, when 2 of us ended up in the emergency room and 9 of us came down with the stomach flu! Here are some images and videos from the week, including my favorite Christmas present:
If you’d like to know the story behind this, click here!Thanks Lisa & Joel!
I have mixed emotions about the events of this past weekend. As most people know by now, the draconian ban on homosexuality in the United States military has been repealed. Tomorrow President Obama will sign the repeal, paving the way for the inevitable Supreme Court ruling on Proposition 8 and gay marriage finally becoming the law of the land. That’s all great news. But on Saturday, as my friends and I stood in line at a movie theater and heard the buzz of cell phones and twitter feeds announcing the DADT repeal, I actually felt guilty about another far reaching piece of legislation that didn’t pass. The DREAM Act “would have created a path to citizenship for certain young illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children, completed two years of college or military service and met other requirements, including passing a criminal background check.” “Two Dreams, One Dead“, as Time magazine opined. That dream is dead, at least for now. But I for one am glad to know people like David Cho, whose tireless efforts on behalf of the DREAM Act have raised awareness worldwide, and caused him to be named one of the Top Ten Game Changers in education today (along with heavyweights like Michelle Rhee and Jill Biden)! People like David Cho are the leaders of tomorrow. Just watch:
The DREAM Act is the right thing to do! I’m glad there are people like David Cho and Dan Choi who fight tirelessly for what’s right, to make this country a better place for all of us. Keep up the good fight gentlemen!
Even though I’m an atheist, I’m inclined to agree with the postulate that everyone likes presents, Santa, peace on earth and all the things that come with Christmas and the holiday season. I mean, what’s not to like? That said, it’s hard to get into the Christmas spirit here in California when it’s 80° F (27° C) and sunny. It’s also hard to be optimistic with our country in such a state of shambles; thanks in large part to greedy Republicans and an inherited deficit too big to imagine. I was reminiscing with friends recently about the first Christmas I spent in Africa twelve years ago this week. It’s easy to forget that twelve years ago, Bill Clinton was in the midst of an impeachment trial over lying about oral sex. Despite that theatrical absurdity, our economy was strong and unemployment was at 4%. I was struck by the fact that twelve years ago, everyone I met in Africa thought the whole charade was ridiculous. Of course, Bill Clinton sailed through his impeachment, and 12 years later, he’s still in the White House taking charge. I was reminded of that fact when I watched President Obama introduce President Clinton during his press conference last week. Claudio and I were talking about it, and he had mixed emotions seeing Bill Clinton handling the room like always. He thought it was the most telling political picture of the past two years. I don’t necessarily agree with that; but it did produce strong and mixed emotions. Bringing Clinton into the White House was a good move for President Obama. Bringing him to the podium was a risky move. Leaving him to go “tend to Michelle” was a horrible move! (Click the link, it’s hilarious!) But it sure made for great political theater and a lot of nostalgia. Especially as Bernie Sanders was filibustering across the mall. THAT to me, was the contrast. Now if the president could just find some of Bernie’s zeal. (Though I thought he did a mostly good job at his press conference the other day, save for the hostage analogy which The Daily Show skewered so well!). I wish the President well. He’s in an extremely unenviable position. In the words of Robert Reich, “I urge congressional Democrats to remember the larger principles — not in order to be purist or make the perfect the enemy of the better, but to move toward an economy and a society that we believe in, that reflects the needs of the vast majority of Americans at this difficult time.” How I long for the days where all we had to worry about was a blow job in the Oval Office! That said, here’s how we tried to get into the Christmas spirit here in California this week:
Our Christmas Card, LOL
Chazz and Rio have become inseparable and sometimes hard to tell apart!
Happy Holidays from The Hotel Careyfornia! 4 years ago yesterday I started my humble little blog. In that time, I’ve written 692 entries and have devoted this space mainly to my photos and random musings. The Xanga community has been good to me. And though I micro-blog more often on facebook and Tumblr these days; I still try to come here once a week to summarize my life and write my rants. As I’ve said before, blogs are like clothes. Sometimes you look back at them and wonder, “What was I thinking!!??”
When I look at my most common “tags“, this rings somewhat true. Here’s a look at the highlights of the past year, filled with lots of dogs, kids, sunsets, Xangalebrities and political rants:
Garbo & Ruby met director Michael Bay of Transformers fame, coming out of Starbucks the other day. He thought they would be great in his next movie with Shia LeBeouf!
And just to make sure I cover all of my bases, here’s tonight’s sunset!
I also went through a devastating breakup this week. After nearly 30 years of an on again off again relationship; McRib and I are finally finished. I broke the bad news to him in a “Dear McRib” letter last night. Both McRib and I hope that the media will respect our privacy during this difficult time.
Dear McRib,
I’m writing you to let you know that I can’t see you any longer. I couldn’t say it to your face tonight, so I decided to write it down. Trust me, it’s not you, it’s me. We’ve known each other since 1981. I was only 16 years old, and much skinnier. Even though we only saw each other once or twice a year, my friends told me you weren’t good for me. They called you offal (an admittedly clever pun). They said you didn’t have my best interests at heart (your were only interested in clogging my heart). I scoffed at them. I defended our love. When they called you “fake”, I called you “new fangled”. But lately, you’ve been calling more and more. I’m no longer the gangly 16 year old who fell in love with you all those years ago. It’s a new world McRib. A world filled with Tender Greens and Trader Joe’s Pad Thai. I’ve finally realized this is not a healthy relationship. I think we need to see other people (no, not McNuggets!). I don’t think we should even be friends any longer. You’re too tempting. It was fun while it lasted. I will always think of you fondly and I wish you all the best.
Last Thursday was Thanksgiving Day in America, so I donned my turkey hat, and told the kids that instead of the traditional turkey dinner this year, that we would be starting a new tradition. Then I showed them the can of Unicorn meat I brought:
“Unicorns as we all know, frolic all over the world pooping rainbows and marshmallows wherever they go. What you don’t know is that when unicorns reach the end of their lifespan, they are drawn to County Meath Ireland. The Sisters of Radiant Farms have dedicated their lives to nursing these elegant creatures through their final days. Taking a cue from the Kobe beef industry, they massage each unicorn’s coat with Guinness daily and fatten them on a diet comprised entirely of candy corn.”
The video tells the rest of the story. Andy was so cute in his polite yet steadfast refusal:
The rest of the weekend was filled with movies and dim sum and relaxing with friends. The dogs said it best the day after Thanksgiving:
‘Twas the day after turkey, Black Friday for some. But for Garbo & Ruby, Exhaustion had come.
The last time I saw Eli he was 16 months old and had just met Elvis. Now he’s 2 and talking up a storm, and cuter than ever. Thanks for the dim sum An & V! It was great seeing you all!!More pics here…
I dropped Mike off at LAX for his 6:30 flight on the busiest travel day of the year and the airport was surprisingly uncrowded. He said security was uneventful. The President must have read my email! At least his wife wrote me back! I snapped all of these photos while driving. Another pretty L.A. day!More pics here…
I am one of your biggest supporters. I believe what you have accomplished in two years has restored our country’s reputation around the world and helped millions of hard working Americans. I have sometimes wished that you could move faster on many things (Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, Guantanamo Bay & Afghanistan to name a few), but I trust your judgment and know that you are working as hard as you can.
That said, I must take issue with your recent stance on the tightened security policies of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You say you “get it“, but I’m not sure that you do. I know that the Republican Party and Fox News are up in arms about the new measures; and though I rarely agree with Fox News, I must yield to them on this matter. However, I don’t necessarily agree with them for the same reasons. I’m not really concerned with someone “touching my junk” when I go through a pat down; nor am I personally worried about:
What I am worried about Mr. President is the bureaucratization of terror. Starting with the failed policies of your predecessor, the TSA has become a laughing stock. They are inept at best, criminal at worst. Though America isn’t Israel, we could learn a lot from the Israelis. It’s called behavioral profiling not racial profiling. You can’t profile breast implants and shoes. It’s about being smarter, not reacting every time someone tries to ignite their underwear.
As someone who used to fly 3-4 times a week for 13 years all around the world, I can honestly say I’m glad I’m done. I will opt out of these ridiculous policies, because they are nothing more than theater of the absurd. We’re not safer. The terrorists are laughing at us. Every time I hear the words “I’ll put up with anything if it makes us safer…” I cringe. People who spew such nonsense don’t fly more than once or twice a year, and are woefully misinformed. If I were you Mr. President, I would immediately fire Janet Incompetano and John Pistole. Replace them with people who possess the same critical thinking skills that you do, and can respond to this mounting public outcry.
If you figure this out Mr. President, people will begin flying again. I was going to fly somewhere for Thanksgiving this week. I have canceled my trip. If I’m meant to die in a terrorist attack, so be it. I’ve had a good life. No amount of groping or probing will keep me safer. The terrorists are smarter than that. I do somewhat wish I was flying this week though, as I would love to have someone videotape me while I’m being patted down. Did you ever see the movie, When Harry Met Sally? Think of this scene, and then think of me being patted down by the TSA. Trust me Mr. President. I have a flare for the dramatic, and that would be one hell of a viral video.
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Ben Franklin’s Contributions to the Conference on February 17 (III) Fri, Feb 17, 1775
Speaking of government bureaucracy, I just posted the following on Yelp:
Going to West Hollywood City Hall at 8 AM on a Monday morning is the worst way to start your week. I needed to pull a permit to replace some windows in my condo. After waiting for the receptionist to finish a personal phone call, I was directed to the second floor. They have the slowest elevator I’ve ever seen, and no stairs for the public. Up to the second floor I went. There was one person at a desk texting on his cell phone, paying no attention, and another at a counter helping a contractor; who had blueprints laid out from hell to breakfast. After 5 minutes of no one acknowledging my presence, I finally interrupted the texter who then told me I needed to go to Planning. I went to Planning and waited until the most jaded, bitter, bureaucratic queen I’ve ever met showed up. He looked at my paperwork and let out a heavy sigh. He handed me a form to fill out, and started pecking on his keyboard, seemingly exasperated. He kept asking me questions about my windows and I kept referring him to the drawings and plans that I had meticulously prepared. After 15 minutes of dramatic paper shuffling, he sent me down to the cashier to pay $97.11 for “zoning clearance”.
I took the elevator back downstairs and gave the cashier my debit card and asked if I could also pay for my parking permits. She told me that Parking Permits were handled in another department. I walked to that department and met Junior Jaded Bitter Bureaucrat #2. He told me they only accept Parking Permit requests via mail. I informed him that it was the 21st Century and that I check my mail two or three times a year at best. I asked if I could just pay for the permit there, and was told they only accept checks by mail. I informed him I didn’t have a checkbook, because again, it was the 21st Century. I haven’t written a check in 10 years, and wasn’t about to go to my bank and request a cashier’s check as he suggested. The 80′s called. They want their payment methods back! He finally acquiesced and let me pay the $44 for the parking permits by debit card. A small victory, but it felt good.
I then had to take the elevator back upstairs to show my receipt to Planning, who directed me to Permits, where I had to basically start over. As it turns out, Jaded Bitter Bureaucrat #1 was delightful compared to Jaded Bitter Bureaucrat #3, who worked in Permits and clearly hated life. He looked at me, waiting for me to tell him what I needed without even asking if he could help me. The staring contest went on for several seconds until he finally broke down and asked what I was there for. I told him I needed a window permit. He asked if I had filled out an application, and I said I thought I had. He said it wasn’t in the paperwork, and directed me to a wall of forms where I had to search for the right one. He asked for a letter from my Homeowner’s Association, which I told him I had given to the Permits Department. He rolled his eyes and walked away. 5 minutes later, he came back with my Homeowner’s Association letter. He then asked how many windows I was replacing and I told him three, as documented right in front of him. He asked how many bedrooms I had, and I pointed to the clearly drawn layout right in front of his face. He found out that one of the windows needed to be lowered, thanks to a ridiculously archaic city code, so he had to get his supervisor and lumbered away. 5 minutes went by and the supervisor sauntered up. We’ll call him Ultimate Bitter Jaded Bureaucrat #4, who ended up being the most jaded and bitter of them all. He was clearly the highest paid too, as evidenced by his Dolce & Gabbana sweater and Botoxed face that had not smiled since the first Bush administration. (The other two were wearing Izod and Ralph Lauren accordingly. It was a chilly day.) He proceeded to look at my drawings and draw identical lines on them to accentuate my lines. He took his time, and shuffled a lot of paper even more dramatically then JBB #1 (He must have had a Master’s in paper shuffling). He basically did nothing but huff and puff for 10 minutes and ask me questions that I had already been asked 3 times; the answers to which were clearly documented. He then sent me back downstairs in the elevator from hell (to hell?) to pay $341.17 for my permit.
I then took the elevator back up to purgatory, where I watched JBB #3 slowly stamp all of my paperwork, and hand it to me without as much as a whisper. I asked if that was all I needed and he nodded affirmatively. I know that no bureaucracy is fun to deal with, but West Hollywood is supposed to be a friendly, progressive city. The staff at City Hall rivaled the TSA in terms of bitterness and rudeness. I’m surprised they didn’t pat me down! I payed them $482.28 for nothing but condescension and laziness. For those of you who think living in a city like this would be all pink roses and rainbow flags, this is a cautionary tale. I won’t even go into how one of the mayors here thinks that a ban on smoking is ridiculous, because West Hollywood is all about sex and rock & roll. Ugh. In the few short years that West Hollywood has been a city, the bureaucrats have made it no different than any other greedy, over regulated place to live. If property values weren’t still so low, you can bet I would be looking for another place to live. Until then, I’m going to manage with what I have. I have no desire to deal with the city again. The whole experience left me jaded…and bitter.
If you’ve read this far, you’re probably looking for some photos from the week. Here they are:
I’ve always joked with my family & friends that when I die, I want my tombstone to read: “Why Did I Bother”? Let’s face it, I’m a narcissistic blogger. Aren’t we all to some extent? As someone who pours their heart and soul into social media, I appreciate the ego boost that comes from comments and “Likes”. I enjoy sharing my photos, stories and views with the world, and that’s why I’m here. I’m admittedly insecure, and thrive on the constant validation that comes from social networking. I think I live a fairly eventful life, but I do know that the majority of people could probably care less when I run into OctoMom and her 14 kids out for a milkshake (as I did last week), or post a video of Chazz (America’s Cutest Dog) getting dive bombed by a bird. For those of you who do indulge me, I remain your humble servant. As an avowed atheist, I don’t really care what happens to me after I die. I will donate my body to science (if they want it) and that will be that. Recently though, I heard about this:
What better way to ensure all my sunset photos live on, even after I’m sunset? Does Xanga have a death policy for Premium members? Facebook allows accounts to be “memorialized” when people die. I wonder what will happen to my tens of thousands of photos on Picasa and other sites when I die? Speaking of death, I snapped this photo of a bumper sticker on a hearse last week, while driving Laura & Katie on a tour of Hollywood:
It Could Be Worse…You’re Not in a Hearse!
I guess if you do decide to be buried when you die, it would be good to have a sense of humor. My friend Doug took this photo at the Lake Oswego Pioneer Cemetery (not far from the Linus Pauling plot) outside of Portland, OR:
Care to trade places?
Speaking of sunsets…there were some pretty ones this past week. Also, aside from the previously mentioned OctoMom experience (which was surreal) and hosting Laura & Katie; I watched Daniel take 5th place in the CalTech Fall 2010 Rubik’s Cube Tournament, and secure his Top 100 World Ranking for one handed Rubik’s Cube Solving! Congratulations Daniel! Here are some photos from the week:
They even had people solving Rubik’s Cubes with their feet! More here…
A rose is but a rose…with a fisheye lens and focal b&w
I was talking with JC outside the hardware store, when a huge bus pulls up… The paparazzi swarmed. Elmo got out first, then OctoMom to pose for pictures…then all 14 of her kids. It was a sad spectacle to behold, watching her exploit her kids. I guess she has to make money though. A few of the paparazzi were yelling HORRIBLE things to her…even when the kids came out of the bus. I felt so bad for the older kids, who I’m sure were aware of what was being yelled. The young ones just seemed shell shocked. What a surreal experience.More here…
Laura and Katie showed up at The Hotel Careyfornia for a quick visit and a tour of Hollywood. More here…
repeal, paving the way for the 
season. I mean, what’s not to like? That said, it’s hard to get into the Christmas spirit here in California when it’s 80° F (27° C) and sunny. It’s also hard to be optimistic with our country in such a state of shambles; thanks in large part to greedy Republicans and an inherited deficit too big to imagine. I was reminiscing with friends recently about the first Christmas I spent in 
country’s reputation around the world and helped millions of hard working Americans. I have sometimes wished that you could move faster on many things (Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, Guantanamo Bay & Afghanistan to name a few), but I trust your judgment and know that you are working as hard as you can. 
I enjoy sharing my photos, stories and views with the world, and that’s why I’m here. I’m admittedly insecure, and thrive on the constant validation that comes from social networking. I think I live a fairly eventful life, but I do know that the majority of people could probably care less when I run into 
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