careyfornia

  • Media Darling?

    Update: Here’s the link to the Wall Street Journal article I was interviewed for as referenced below. They  got a few facts wrong, but there’s no such thing as bad publicity, right?

    Every three to six months, when his most recent promotional deal expires, Carey Anthony blocks out an hour of his day to negotiate with his cable company. Each time, the president of a software company in Los Angeles says he can knock $20 to $30 off his monthly bill.

    “Negotiating works every time,” says Mr. Anthony,46, who estimates he has saved more than $350 a year over the past decade.”Sometimes you have to threaten to cancel service, or switch to another provider, or sit on hold for an hour, but I’ve never failed to get a discount,” he says. “You just have to be diligent.”

    As prices for cable services have surged over the past 10years and the faltering economy has pressured household incomes, a growing number of cable customers face skyrocketing bills. Read more…

    Also here are some photos from Christmas. I’m leaving today for San Francisco to spend New Year’s Eve with the GLY gang and look forward to more sunsets on the shore like this. Happy New Year everyone!


    Best of the rest!


    Video from Christmas Morning

    December 19, 2011
    Got the following email this morning. I called the reporter at lunch and did the interview. The piece should be in the Wall Street Journal late this week or early next. She said I was an amazing consumer advocate with a LOT to say. LOL, that’s an understatement. This is what I love about the age we live in. Power of the people truly exists. Tweets and blog posts can change policies. Keep up the good fight folks!!

    Gmail Carey Anthony
    Wall Street Journal Interview Request
    Schuker, Lauren  Mon, Dec 19, 2011 at 9:34 AM
    To:Carey Anthony

    Hi Carey,

    I’m a reporter for The Wall Street Journal. I was writing because I’d love to interview you for a story about cable service– I saw your post on Yelp and thought you’d be a great person for the piece.

    I’m at (212) 416-xxxx or on my cell (below) if you see this – please call me as soon as you can.

    Thank you so much, and I look forward to talking further with you.

    Lauren

    Lauren A. E. Schuker

    The Wall Street Journal

    office. (212) xxx-xxxx

    cell. (617) xxx-xxxx
    Here’s the full post she was referring to. Long, but worth the read:

      -  Sep 12, 2011  -  Public
    My Online Chat With Time Warner Customer Service Today:
    User Carey has entered room
    Analyst Serena has entered room

    Serena> Hello! Thank you for choosing Road Runner Internet Technical Chat Support. My name is Serena, How may I assist you?
    Carey> Fix my internet & phone service
    Serena> Hi Carey! May I know what is the issue with the service?
    Carey> We don’t have much time…it will probably go down again in the next 5 minutes
    Carey> It’s been going up and down for a week. Internet and phone
    Serena> I see, okay.
    Carey> If it goes down again you’ll have to call me on my cell which I entered in the chat intro.
    Serena> I apologize for the inconvenience.
    Serena> Let me run line test on your device.
    Carey> I have had no phone or internet already today at least 12 times…this is unacceptable
    Serena> I see, I understand your frustration.
    Serena> For all services down issue, we need to escalate the problem to our Cable Services Specialist.
    Serena> To fix the problem right away.
    Serena> Let me create a case id number for you here, okay?
    Carey> ok
    Serena> Please give me a minute.
    Serena> I just want to check, have you reset your modem recently?
    Carey> many many times
    Serena> I see, okay. 
    Carey> this has been going up and down for a week. Sometimes it stays down 20 minutes sometimes it’s back in 5
    Carey> crap, there it goes again
    Carey> call me on my cell…my phone just cut off
    Carey> internet will be next
    Carey> it’s back….are you still there?
    Serena> Do not worry everything we’ve discussed is documented.
    Carey> did you see that it just went down?
    Carey> crap, it’s doing it again
    Carey> Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
    rrrrrggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
    Carey> I can’t live like this
    User Carey has entered room
    Serena> Yes, I am still here, I am waiting for you to enter the session again.
    Carey> I’m back
    Carey> but it will likely go down again soon. What do I do?
    Serena> Great!
    Carey> I can’t live like this
    Carey> I rely on my phone and internet
    Serena> I am now completing all the line test and I will create a case number for you.
    Carey> what’s the problem??
    Carey> now it’s down again
    Serena> I understand Carey, this will be fixed as soon as we can,
    Serena> Yes, I can see it.
    Carey> now it’s up
    Carey> so what is the problem?
    Serena> We are currently checking what is causing of the disconnection.
    Serena> Please make sure all cables hooked up to your modem is securely connected.
    Carey> they are
    Serena> Okay.
    Serena> Thank you!
    Serena> I am now creating the case number for you.
    Serena> Here is your case number is: 7221706. 
    Carey> what do I do with that?
    Carey> I see a Time Warner truck outside. Should I give him that case #?
    Serena> That is for your reference.
    Serena> I just want to check, is your cable service goes down as well, correct?
    Carey> not my tv…just my phone and internet
    Serena> I see.
    Serena> Thank you mentioning the Time Warner Cable Truck, let me check our maintenance dashboard if there are on going outages,
    Serena> I see.
    Carey> This has been going on for a week though. I called last week and was put on hold for 40 minutes then cut off
    Serena> There is an outage in the area.
    Serena> I understand.
    Serena>The description of the outage is Multiple node outages affecting phone and Internet services.
    Carey> When will it be fixed? I’m this close to calling Verizon. I can’t live like this.
    Serena> Our Top Technical Engineers are currently fixing the problem.
    Carey> What are there names and emails? I’d like to write them.
    Carey> now it’s down again
    Carey> I’m back
    Serena> Good.
    Serena> I apologize Carey, I am not authorized to disclose the information you’re requesting.
    Carey> I assume this whole week will be taken off my bill.
    Serena> I understand you.
    Serena> For that you may contact our customer care to raise your concern.
    Carey> I CAN’T EVEN CALL OUT ON MY PHONE HALF THE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Carey> and I was on hold for 40 minutes last week before getting cut off!
    Carey> I am NOT calling customer care to raise my concern.
    Carey> I’ve just spent the last 40 minutes raising my concern with you
    Carey> and in that time, my service has gone down 6 times
    Serena> I understand your frustration, we need to wait until our field technicians fix the problem outside.
    Carey> If you can’t have somebody fix my bill, then just cancel the whole service3
    Carey> I’ve wasted enough time.
    Carey> 10 years as a customer and this is how I get treated??
    Carey> I am going on Twitter now to tell everyone to cancel Time Warner if this is the way I’m going to be treated after 10 years of loyalty
    Serena> To fix your bill, I’m glad to get you a billing specialist right now, for your service, we really need to wait until the technicians done with the maintenance.
    Carey> It’s been doing this for a week….just fix the bill! I shouldn’t have to waste any more time with your company
    Carey> Who’s the chairman of Time Warner?
    Serena> I’m afraid I am not authorized to disclose that information Carey.
    Carey> You’re not authorized to tell me who your boss is???????????????
    Carey> http://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2011/03/TIME_WARNER_CHAIRMAN_38_CEO_JEFF_BEWKES_TO_PARTICIPATE_03-03-2011.php
    Serena> Yes I am not in the position. I apologize.
    Carey> there, I saved you the trouble…I’m getting his email address too
    Carey> that’s absurd
    Carey> when will this be fixed?
    Serena> I understand Ma’am.
    Carey> It’s SIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Carey> 10 years as a customer and you don’t even know my gender?
    Serena> I am sorry.
    Carey> This whole transcript will be posted on my blog and on facebook, to show how absurd this is. Watch for it.
    Carey> What’s the number for Verizon?
    Serena> We do not have the number for Verizon Carey.
    Serena> Let me hand you over to Billing people to take care of your possible credits caused by this trouble on your end,
    Carey> it would save your ex customers time if you just transferred us to them…it’s the least you can do
    Carey> Fine, but when will this be fixed and how will I know? I’d like Jeff Bewkes to call me when it’s resolved.
    Serena> I understand, I will do it for you now.
    Serena> Please hold on to your case id number.
    Serena> I apologize again for all the inconvenience Carey.
    Serena> That is noted Carey.
    Carey> apologies mean nothing…you don’t even know my gender. I’m a human being you know. You work for giant conglomerate who is bent on making my life miserable apparently. If you’re really sorry, you should get another job.
    Serena> For now, since our engineers still fixing it, they haven’t posted estimated time of restoral but I assure you it will be fixed as soon as possible,
    Carey> What website do I enter the case # into to see if it’s fixed?
    Serena> The case number will serve as your reference for this conversation, everything is documented.
    Carey> What website do I enter the case # into to see if it’s fixed?
    Serena> The case number cannot be viewed on our web site, it will serve as your reference for this conversation where everything is documented.
    Carey> What good does that do me?
    Serena> It will server as your reference number for this issue and when I transfer you to billing.
    Serena> Please stay while I transfer you to our billing analyst.
    Carey>Please stay? What am I, a dog?
    Carey> This is gonna look good on facebook!
    Serena> I’m sorry. What I mean please wait and stay in this chat session while I get you a billing specialist.
    Carey> It’s a new world you know? You can’t treat customers like garbage any more and not be held accountable. You will lose customers if you can’t fix these problems. Don’t you realize that???
    Carey> Oh and tell the “billing specialist” to read the entire chat. I’m not repeating myself.
    Serena> I will.
    Serena> I will now transfer you.
    Serena> Thank you for contacting Road Runner Technical Chat Support, again my name is Serena, we value you as a customer. Have a nice day!
    Carey> You sure don’t show it!
    Serena> Please wait, while the problem is escalated to another analyst

    Analyst Serena has left room
    Analyst Gustavo has entered room

    Gustavo> Thank you for contacting Time Warner Cable. At the end of our chat you will be given the option of taking a brief survey. My name is Gustavo. Please give me a moment while I access your account.
    Carey> You can either refund the charges for my horrible service the past week, or cancel it completely and I’ll go to Verizon. Your choice.
    Gustavo> Good Afternoon. How are you today?
    Carey> Horrible
    Carey> I feel as if I’ve been raped by corporate America.
    Gustavo> I am sorry to hear that. 
    Gustavo> I understand that your services are down. 
    Gustavo> Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
    Gustavo> I will be more than happy to assist you. 
    Carey> Everyone there is sorry, but no one is doing anything.
    Gustavo> Unfortunately, I cannot apply credits unless the problem is fixed. And as the last analyst mentioned, the outage is ongoing. 
    Carey> It’s been ongoing for a week. When will the credit be applied. I’m not calling in again or sitting on a chat for an hour. This is YOUR problem, not mine.
    Gustavo> As a courtesy, I am applying a $10 credit. You can contact us back once the problem is fixed to receive the rest of the credit. 
    Carey> And when will that be?
    Gustavo> Our technicians are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible. At this time, there is no known estimated time of repair. 
    Carey> As soon as possible? It’s been like this for a week! I need a better answer than that. I have to decide today whether to cancel this service I’ve had for 10 years. You obviously don’t care about my business or my loyalty.
    Gustavo> I am sorry but I am just giving you the information we have. 
    Carey> If you were really sorry, you’d try to find out what the problem was and when it will be fixed.
    Gustavo> As mentioned before, our technicians are already working, there is nothing else to do from our end. We need you to understand that this is something that cannot be handled online. 
    Carey> Then you should have told me that an hour ago before I started this chat!
    Gustavo> I gave you all the information I have in the system and applied the credit I could. 
    Carey> I CALLED last week and was on hold for 40 minutes before being cut off. If I can’t call or chat online, how is it supposed to be handled???
    Gustavo> We started the chat 15 minutes ago Sir. 
    Carey> I started the chat with Serena an hour ago!
    Carey> Don’t play semantics with me, because you will lose.
    Gustavo> That is a different department sir.
    Carey> So?
    Gustavo> It is being handle by the technicians who are already aware of the situation. 
    Carey> I’m still the customer. I’m still a human being. You cut me, I bleed. Have you no regard for your customers?
    Carey> So how will I know it’s been fixed? Will they call me? Send me flowers? Sky write? How?
    Gustavo> The services will start working fine. 
    Gustavo> And no, we will not contact you. 
    Carey> So basically you’re telling me I’m out of luck. Just wait, like I have been waiting for a week…for something I pay you $160/month for that should work and doesn’t!
    Carey> This is going to look great when it’s posted on facebook, twitter, tumblr and my blog. I’ll make sure to tag it with #timewarner #customerservicenightmare!
    Gustavo> Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
    Gustavo> It would be a pleasure if there is something else I can assist you with.
    Carey> OK, I’m going to call Verizon now to see if they care any more about me.
    Gustavo> Again, my name is Gustavo. Thank you for chatting with Time Warner Cable. We value you as a customer and are here to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you would like to take a brief survey, please click on “End Session” and the survey will load.
    Carey> LOL, that’s going to be a doozy of a survey.

    Here are the rest of the highlights of the past couple of weeks:


    Birthday dinner with Dreamer David Cho.


    A visit with Arielle and Baby Hazel.


    Roscoe at Runyon Canyon. More here.


    Office Christmas Party.


    Movie night with Claudio & Ryan and Chazz & Rio. More here.


    Orange County thunderheads, followed by a rare California snow storm!


    Late fall in Southern California. More here.


    Thursday family dinner.


    It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. More here.


    My brother, sister in law and niece visit The Hotel Careyfornia.


    Merry Christmas from Chazz & Rio.

  • 5 Year Xangaversary

    Happy Holidays from The Hotel Careyfornia! 5 years ago today I started this humble little experiment in sharing my life with the world. In that time, I’ve written 707 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, Tumblr and Google + these days; this site will always have a special place in my heart. Though I’ve pretty much been absent from Xanga the past six months, I have not been idle. I’ve lost 45 pounds, hosted many foreign dignitaries (including President Obama!), and traveled a bit. Here’s a look at the highlights of the past six months; filled with lots of dogs, kids and sunsets. The captions will open links to whole albums of more pictures if you’re interested. I’m not sure when I’ll be back here blogging more often, but I’ll never be gone for good!


    Thanksgiving with the family. The kids are getting so big!


    Mini GLY Reunion in Santa Barbara


    Sweet Home Chicago


    Autumn in Chicago


    We hired Daniel to entertain when we rented out the Museum of Science & Industry!


    Fall on the North Shore


    Autumn Stormclouds


    Pumpkin Carving


    Trick or treat in West Hollywood


    Best Halloween Costumes


    Washington DC sunset


    President Obama’s visit to The Hotel Careyfornia


    More California sunsets


    Walking in L.A.


    Cider House Rules


    Here’s a video of one of the more spectacular sunsets from the roof of The Hotel Careyfornia


    And here’s a video I just made (12/13/11) of every sunset photo I took in 2011, set to music. Enjoy!

  • The Xanga Conundrum

    Update:  Just got back from Chicago and I hope to be back on Xanga this winter. In the meantime, friend/follow me on facebook, Twitter, Google + or  tumblr. Latest photos can always be found here. I’ve applied to be on the Xanga Product Council, so if that happens maybe some of my ideas will be implemented. Thanks! –Carey

    June 13, 2011 6:37 PM
    I’m sorry I’ve been so neglectful of my humble Xanga. Each time I would think of updating, it just seemed to be too much to fit in one post; but of course the less I update, the more things kept happening. For the past month, every time I wanted to blog about Sarah Palin or Armageddon (or the lack thereof) or the Dream Act or Xangan visits or road trips or reconnecting with old friends or birthday parties or frat parties or Rio or Chazz or celebrity sightings or customer service or red carpet events or holidays or fill in the ______; it seemed that it was easier and faster to just upload photos to Facebook with brief captions or write a short Tumblr (I know…traitor!) post or tweet a photo or two. That’s the thing about Xanga that I’m conflicted about. I don’t want it to ever be Tumblr or Facebook, but I wish it was a little more adaptive to the times…so my blog here could evolve and not just languish. (Xanga’s new sign in options for comments should help!)  Oh well, I’m still a proud Xangan…even if lately I’ve only had time for proper updates once a month. In the meantime, here’s what’s been happening the past few weeks:


    Eva received her Ph.D. yesterday and many of our far flung GLY friends from all over the world were in Santa Barbara to help her celebrate!


    Here’s a video of the 12 x 12 photo book I made for Eva, that contains the photos of celebrations we’ve had all over the world the past 14 years. (This can’t be viewed in Germany, so if you’re German, you can view it here).


    After the graduation ceremony last night we went to the beach for a sunset picnic while the Germans played a game of slow motion volleyball!


    We celebrated Tommy’s 10th birthday last week at Farrell’s where I used to work when I was 16!


    Chazz & Rio had a great month in the urban jungle of Los Angeles!


    Reconnecting with old friends is always fun…seeing pictures of yourself from 20 years ago, not so much!


    The unofficial start of summer was spent again in Santa Barbara on Bassam’s oceanfront villa, Unfortunately my dogs got skunked!


    Xangan David (Fongster8) paid a week long visit to The Hotel Careyfornia and enjoyed himself!


    Dinner with dreamy dreamer David Cho who I previously wrote about, is always a treat. He’s such a bright light in this world. I can’t say enough about this guy!

    That’s it for now. For more frequent updates, friend me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter or Tumblr. Have a great summer everyone!

  • The Busy Season

    It’s been a busy few weeks at The Hotel Careyfornia. Lots of visitors…lots of great meals and very little sleep. If you’re thinking of visiting Southern California, make your reservations soon; as we’re getting quite full for the summer, LOL! I’m getting great use out of my new camera. Here are some shots from the past two weeks:


    B & L brought the kids up to Hollywood and we had a blast! Click here for more photos


    The next weekend, B & L had us over for an oceanfront barbecue in Santa Barbara. Click here for more photos


    Beautiful Santa Barbara, CA. Click here for more photos


    The kids had a great Easter! Click here for more photos


    Jennifer cooked a great Easter dinner! Click here for more photos


    Hugo arrived from NYC last Wednesday and between that and the Royal Wedding, I haven’t slept since then! Click here for more photos


    Of course Claudio hosted a Brazilian barbecue! Click here for more photos


    Hooray for Hugowood! Click here for more photos


    More satisfied guests! Click here for more photos


    My neighbor’s new puppy…she’s a Chiweenie (Dachshund and Chihuahua mix!)


    I managed to squeeze in dinner with Owen last week. Click here for more photos


    Our traditional Thursday family dinner. Click here for more photos


    No, I WILL NOT fix your computer! LOL Click above for video


    We were driving home from the Hollywood Sign last night when the Twitterverse exploded with the news.
    I was with these guys on 9/11 and the year after in NYC. We all watched the President’s speech together last night.
    Now THAT’S what I call “mission accomplished” GW!

  • T’was The Day of the Oscars…

    Apologies to Clement C. Moore:
    (For this year’s poem, as well as last year’s, the year before and the year before that!)

    ‘Twas the day of the Oscars,
    And all through H-wood.
    Celebrities were fasting,
    Making sure they’d look good.

    The statues were polished,
    All shiny and gold.
    Hoping Natalie or Christian,
    On Sunday would hold    .

    With their crash diets over,
    The celebrities came.
    And fans whistled and shouted.
    And called them by name.

    There’s Marky Mark,
    Looking fresh from a fight.
    And there’s Annette Bening,
    I hope “The Kids Are All Right”.

    Who’s that over there,
    With only one arm?
    Oh just James Franco and Anne,
    No cause for alarm.

    And there’s Colin Firth,
    Just out of reach.
    Stuttering and stammering,
    Preparing his speech.

    So off to the Kodak,
    I went with my guests.
    We took lots of photos,
    And here are the best!


    After a rare Oscar weekend rainstorm on Friday night, Saturday gave way to a clear but cool morning. This photo went viral on Tumblr! 


    Though the forecast called for more rain, the sun peaked through the clouds and stayed with us all day! That wasn’t the case just over the Hollywood Hills though. In fact in Burbank they had 1/2 inch of snow, only 6 miles from Hollywood! That hasn’t happened since the 50′s!


    Even Chanel was in her Oscar finest (channeling Bjork?) up on my roof!


    After a delicious Filipino breakfast, our VIP Guests readied for a day in Hollywood!


    We were granted insider access to all the pre-events!


    This afternoon, this road will only be open to limousines!


    Atop the Kodak Theater, home of the Oscars


    This is what the stars will see when they get out of their limos


    Robin Roberts of Good Morning America. There are also photos of Maria Menounos, one of the other ABC hosts, in the slideshow below.


    And the Oscar goes to…


    Dogsitter of the year!  I’d like to thank the Academy!


    My brother and sister in law win Best Couple!


    What Oscar weekend would be complete without a trip to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills to pick our outfits and jewels for the big day?


    The sun sets on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills


    Click here for a slideshow of the best of the rest…

     
    Here’s a quartet of sunsets from the past 2 weeks. I’ve been out of town for work, and absent from Xanga all month (better to help my SP boycott). I have to leave again tomorrow at 4 AM, so no Oscar parties for me tonight. Hope everyone enjoys the Academy Awards!

  • The Dog Days of Winter

    No politics this week….my family has forbidden it:

    So without Sarah Palin to bash again, I’ll have to resort to the other main topics of this blog:

    “Kids, Dogs & Sunsets“

    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


    Another satisfied guest of The H.C.


    Ryan’s holding up the present I got him for Christmas


    Hot dogs in Beverly Hills…where’s the Perrier?


    At the dog park around the corner from my house


    Hooray for Roscoewood!


    The dog that ate Hollywood…in 3-D


    At the dog park under the Hollywood Sign


    Click here for more photos…


    Self Portraits

    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, I think that’s enough Carey!”

  • Happy Xangaversary & A Bad Breakup

    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!!??”


    Future Xangan CareyGLY

    It’s often been suggested that I rename my blog:

    “Kids, Dogs, Sunsets & Sarah Palin“ 
    and the occasional rant against corporate America


    She ain’t all that “hot” close up, is she?

    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:

    And here are some photos from the past week with links to photos past:


    Look how Andy has changed in four years!


    Favorite Cousins!


    My new family mantra :)


    Look at him just a year ago!


    He was actually looking in these presents.  LOL


    Look Jin!  New snowmen!


    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.

    Sincerely,

    Carey

  • Why Do I Bother?

    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:


    Sunset from the roof of The Hotel Careyfornia


    Sunset from CalTech in Pasadena last Saturday.  More here…


    I taught him everything he knows…as I attest to in the video below


    How to solve a Rubik’s Cube in 12.72 seconds.  He can do it one handed too in 21 seconds!


    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…

  • Viva La Vie Boheme!

    What a week!  After arriving from Africa, Darlene & Jay left California on Monday and Rob arrived on Tuesday.  It was a whirlwind week, and he made me realize I’m not as young as I used to be.  I think I slept a total of  six hours all week!  We had a great time though, as these photos will attest.  It was exciting to have him here on Wednesday when the California Supreme Court finally ruled that Proposition 8, the ban on gay marriage, was unconstitutional.  My feelings on this are well documented.  It was nice to be able to attend the rally in West Hollywood with Rob and celebrate this small victory on the road to equality.  For those of you who don’t agree, please watch this:  :) 


    The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
    How to Ruin Same-Sex Marriages
    www.colbertnation.com


    For more of my photos from Wednesday’s Prop 8 Rally in West Hollywood, click here.  For last year’s star studded rally (where Chazz met President Obama), click here.


    The fabled sign will never be the same!


    Psychedelic Rob!


    Hooray for Hollywood!


    At the historic rally, listening to Ted Olson, David Boies and Chazz’s buddy, Dustin Lance Black


    We even managed to meet Thai Elvis at The Palms!


    Our friend August’s back yard in Perris, CA was stunning!


    Apparently guns are allowed in Perris! :)


    August making a ninja catch!


    Trying not to laugh or move!


    At The Abbey with Ryan & Claudio


    It’s late!


    Snuggle buddies!


    Here’s to good times at The Hotel Careyfornia!


    Click here for the best of the rest…

    The week was topped off last night with a performance of “Rent” at the famed Hollywood Bowl.  Directed by Neil Patrick Harris, who originated the role of Mark in L.A. in 1997, and starring Vanessa Hudgens, Nicole Scherzinger, Wayne Brady, Tracie Thoms, Gwen Stewart and other Rent veterans, the show was a dazzling, sumptuous feast, set amongst the tranquil Hollywood Hills. Even though this was my 16th viewing (in 7 countries and 5 languages), it never gets old. “There’s only now, there’s only here. Give in to love, or live in fear. No other path, no other way. No day but today.“

    rent

    The underlying themes in Rent” have resonated with me for nearly 15 years.  When I first saw the play in 1996 in New York City it spoke to me like nothing I had ever seen.  The story is an old one, 159 years old to be exact.  1851 was the year that Henri Murger published the book Scènes de la Vie de Bohème a story about his friends; so called “Bohemians” or “starving artists” living in the Latin Quarter of Paris in the mid 1800′s.  His friends had the same names as the central characters in “Rent” (with American updates; Rodolpho became Roger, Marcel became Mark, etc.).  50 years after the book was published, Puccini turned it into the famous opera La Boheme, which in turn, 100 years later became the musical “Rent“.  The central themes of all three were the same, though the times, plagues and vices were different.  Wikipedia presents this chart:

    Character in La bohème Character in Rent
    Mimi, a seamstress with TB Mimi Marquez, an S&M dancer with AIDS
    Rodolfo, a poet with TB Roger Davis, a musician with AIDS
    Marcello, a painter Mark Cohen, a filmmaker
    Musetta, a singer Maureen Johnson, a bisexual performance artist
    Schaunard, a musician with TB Angel Dumott Schunard, a gay cross-dressing drummer with AIDS
    Colline, a philosopher with TB Tom Collins, a gay computer whiz and Anarchist philosopher with AIDS
    Alcindoro, a state councillor Joanne Jefferson, a lesbian lawyer
    Benoit, a landlord Benjamin ‘Benny’ Coffin III, also a landlord

    No matter how hard the characters try to fight it, they all come to the realization that love is the strongest force we know.  Stronger than heroin, AIDS or even death.  Be it the “starving artists” in the Latin Quarter of 19th Century Paris, the American Bohemians like Jack Kerouac in the 50′s or the drug addled, AIDS victims in Jonathan Larson’s masterpiece “Rent”; they all knew this “fact”, and they lived their lives accordingly.  Even in this age of social networking and a truly wired global technosphere; it’s good to be reminded that we are all connected by the powerful force of love, and that a broken heart universally hurts.  “We don’t own emotion, we rent.”  How ironic, that Jonathan Larson, the composer and playwright of “Rent”, dropped dead of an aortic aneurysm the night before the show opened on Broadway in 1996.  After all, “Rent” is about living for today, because you never know what tomorrow might bring.

    Last year I had a conversation with an acquaintance I first wrote about in this post, entitled “Perceptions” three years ago (she’s also an evangelical Christian).  She told me that I would be proud of her, because she finally watched the movie, based on the musical “Rent”.  I asked her how she liked it, and she basically thought it was “disgusting”.  At first I was taken aback by her response.  I know the movie wasn’t nearly as good as the play, but it was unfathomable to me how anyone could find these ageless, central themes anything but life affirming and beautiful.  She admittedly shed tears at the sad parts, but implied that all of the tragedy and sadness of the movie was a result of the characters (“Lesbos” was one of the words she used), not seeking the “love of God”.  They were seeking love in the wrong place.  Their addictions, (heroin) and diseases, (AIDS) were their own doing.  I fail to see the Christ-like thinking in this sentiment and told her so.  Coincidentally, the initial person I referenced in the “Perceptions” post in 2007, whose family fled from tyranny, starred in the ensemble of “Rent” this past weekend at the Hollywood Bowl.  A full circle moment.

    “To sodomy
    It’s between God and me.
    To faggots, lezzies, dykes, cross dressers too.
    To me….To you….
    To people living with….not dying from disease.
    Let he among us without sin,
    Be the first to condemn.
    La Vie Boheme.
    Anyone out of the mainstream.
    Is anyone in the mainstream?
    Anyone alive with a sex drive.
    Tear down the wall.
    Aren’t we all?
    The opposite of war isn’t peace.
    It’s creation.
    La Vie Boheme.
    Viva La Vie Boheme.”

    Here are some photos and a video from last night:


    Sorry for the shoddy video…I was trying to be discreet…but you get the idea!

  • It’s Their Elephant Cloud

     
    August is shaping up to be another busy month at The Hotel Careyfornia.  Tomorrow, Rob is visiting for the week before heading to the Philippines.  This past weekend, my friends Darlene & Jay arrived after spending the past year trekking throughout Africa.  I’ve been following their adventures on their award winning blog:  http://elephantcloud.net all year, but it was so great to have them here in person relaying their remarkable stories. (You can read why their blog is called The Elephant Cloud, here.) 

    Anyone who has ever visited Africa knows the hold it takes on your heart.  I have written about my own journey there, but what Jay & Darlene have done this past year, surpasses all of my humble exploits; and they have surely left Africa a better place.  Darlene, a physician’s assistant by trade, and Jay a software developer; brought their unique blend of talents and compassion to the farthest reaches of the continent, to the people who needed it most.  The most recent example, before they left, involved Darlene treating patients for a newly rediscovered and debilitating foot disease at the Adventist Hospital in Gimbie, Ethiopia, while Jay followed the progress of the Podoconiosis treatments which the hospital was sponsoring.  Through publicizing this on their blog, they were able to get over 900 pairs of shoes donated to the cause.  See for yourself:

    Their adventures are truly inspiring.  Whether it’s helping Tanzania’s forgotten children, being mobbed by Egyptian paparazzi  or communing with lions and giraffes in the Serengeti, they are living life full force.  How many of us have secretly desired to sell our homes and all of our worldly belongings, leave our jobs and travel the world to make it a better place?  As someone who explored the world for many years without a home, I can somewhat relate; but Darlene and Jay’s journey is the definition of epic.  I’m honored that they stopped here to share their wonderful essence and remind me what matters most in this life.  Here are some photos from our weekend together:


    They flew from Africa to New York and then made their way west with all of their belongings.  I wasn’t sure what to expect when they arrived, but I was picturing the opening of the Beverly Hillbillies.  Sure enough they drove right through Beverly Hills and made it to the world famous Hotel Careyfornia!


    A LONG way from Africa!


    In good company!


    The bouganvillea in bloom against a stunning foredrop!


    They hadn’t had sushi in a year, so to say we “feasted” would be a huge understatement….I’m still full 3 days later!  It was great though!  Thanks guys!

     
    This was our second star sighting of the weekend…it’s Busy Philipps from “Cougartown” and E.R.  Our first sighting happened the night before as we walked home past the House of Blues and someone asked us, “Hey, do you want to get high with a celebrity?”  We turned around to see Andy Dick in a dark corner…getting high.  LOL.   Needless to say, we passed.


    Chazz waiting for leftovers from Claudio’s Brazilian barbecue


    Making s’mores!

     
    Ryan and I enjoying the s’mores and the company


    Guess who’s up to his old tricks again??  He made his placemat an oxymoron!


    Click here, for the best of the rest…