surfing cowboys

I am sure you have all heard of or been to the Surfing Cowboys vintage store in Venice Beach. So this isn't new to you. I on the other hand have never been. However, I do check out the web site a lot and I think of how cool it would be to furnish my apartment with the jewels found there. The vintage fireplaces, surf-themed art or just the vintage cowboy boots would all look great in any place. So, whether it's old or new, take some time for a fun distraction. Spend some real or invisible money there. Repeat often. I won't judge you.

my back pages

Thank you once again to the blog Big States for turning me on to the new Dennis Hopper photography book to be put out by Taschen! His photos really do capture the 60s unlike any others that I have seen. The book was written and edited by none other than art guru Tony Shafrazi (i.e. the luckiest man in the world). It is limited to 1,500 signed copies and will carry a price tag of $700. So save your pennies and sell your plasma. It comes out in October so you still have a few days.

It's here...

My favorite time of year is finally here! We celebrated the equinox over the weekend (I know it started officially during the week but things were nuts). We had a festive fall feast which consisted of fried chicken, roasted brussel sprouts with gruyere cheese and crispy onions, mashed sweet potatoes with carmelized onions, mac n' cheese and cornbread. Yeah. It was a lot and we have a ton of leftovers so we will celebrating fall for awhile around here. After dinner we tried watching a scary movie, The Strangers, on television but I chickened out. It was creepy. And for me, not the good kind of creepy. So instead we watched the first episode of Ken Burns' National Parks. Awesome.

Happy Fall - let the fun begin!

(Photos: Fake pumpkin patch, the fall colors creeping into the landscape outside my window, The Bird and her uncle at a real pumpkin patch)

where the action isn't

Oh, Hi! Long time no write.
I haven't been feeling my best lately and with trips to the dentist and the doctor's last week I was in no mood to make your guys' dreams come true with some awesome bloggin'.

Major hat tip to good friend YK for turning me on to this, the latest Nuggets release. Coincidentally, I was planning to do a minor review of the Children of the Nuggets boxed set which covered the 1976-1996 era of Psychadelic music. It took a while for the Children of the Nuggets to grow on me, but now I love it. Highlights from that boxed set include:
    The Lime Spiders - Slave Girl
    The Inmates - Mr. Unreliable
    Last - She Don't Know Why I'm Here
    The Godfathers - This Damn Nation
    The Prisoners - Whenever I'm Gone
    The Green Telescopes - Make Me Stay
    The Church - The Unguarded Moment
    Julian Cope - Sunspots

And now, for those of you Southern Californians who enjoyed any of the previous Nuggets comps, there is Where the Action Is!, a compilation of psychedelic, pop, rock and folk hits created in . . . Los Angeles.

WHERE THE ACTION IS! encompasses four discs arranged thematically to cover different aspects of the pop, rock, club and Top 40 sounds of the era. The first covers some of the most notable bands that performed in the clubs of Hollywood's Sunset Strip. Disc two features a sampling of the musicians who began life in South L.A., East L.A. and such far-flung suburbs as Riverside and Bakersfield. The third delves into the artistry of L.A.'s producers, arrangers and Wrecking Crew of studio players. The final disc takes us from the nascent seeds of folk rock to the first blooms of canyon rock, country rock and full-blown psychedelia in the region. It also shows how rock pioneers such as Del Shannon and Rick Nelson took their own stabs at fitting in with “the kids.”

I have placed a moratorium on spending, otherwise this would be mine already. However, this is certainly my next purchase.

mississippi records

Fairly short post (and quickly written) so I am adding extra photos for you to go ga-ga over.
Recently, a great friend to this blog, Jesse G, introduced me to a fantastic album entitled Love is Love, a compilation of African R&B and folk songs. As I tried to track the album down at the local record stores, I kept encountering the same problem: "Sold out. Don't know when we'll get another order from the label." The only answer was to track it down through the label. I had barely done any research when I got lucky. Local record store M Theory Music happened to have two copies that had not yet made it to the shelves! So I purchased them both and passed one on to my brother-in-law. But what about this label? Mississippi Records is a label and record store based out of Portland, Oregon. They have no website. All that is available is their Wikipedia site and a discography from librarian Bryan Sinclair. The artwork alone is enough to get me to buy another album. The musical genres sampled are also very intriguing. However, Love is Love is certainly good enough to get me to buy more (at a time when I should be buying less).

As I wrote this blurb, I discovered that the blog Big States has catalogued a few of their Mississippi Records purchases and even posted some sounds to check out. Of course, make sure to support Mississippi Records through your purchases as well. They are a small company and can use the support.

If I ever figure out how to post a few songs from Love is Love I will be sure to do so and update this post.

to whom i owe it all

Found: Garfield bookmark in my dad's old copy of Ivanhoe that now resides at my sister's house. I tried to read Ivanhoe sometime in junior high . . . the bookmark was found on page 20.

In 1988, my totally cool 3rd grade teacher, Mr. P, loved Garfield and so I loved Garfield too. That was a transition year for me. My family moved from LA to Orange County on Saturday November 5, 1988, exactly three years to the day after the greatest time travel event in the history of film. It was a devastating turn of events for my sister, but I seem to remember thinking it would be cool to be in a new place near the ocean, and I didn't have the attachment to my friends that she did. Put me on a little league team and watch me go was my way of thinking. I was not outgoing, but I was also a boy and far from incapable of having fun.
I made new friends and got into a lot of trouble at my new school, as had already become my custom. At one point I was even given detention covering every recess and every lunch over, I think, three weeks. Now, detention in Mr. P's class meant standing in the middle of the dodge ball circle in the unused upper playground normally reserved for the kindergartners. My co-conspirators in the never-to-be-named crime were Randy S and Jimmy S (no relation). They too were confined to the unused upper prison, though just far enough away to make talking impossible. So, to entertain ourselves we mimed a baseball game. This worked for about two days until Mr. P discovered our pastime, put an end to it and tacked on two days to our sentence. The only other memory I have from 3rd grade recess was when I scraped my knuckles on the ground attempting an atomic slider in handball. I suppose I am fortunate to have any recess memories at all, given how often I wasted those hours in detention. Still, considering how valuable recess is to a child and how vividly I remember the 3rd grade in general, it is very disappointing to have a black hole when it comes to recess.
The rest of the school year was memorable enough. I remember reading Superfudge, Mouse on a Motorcycle, Lou Gehrig: One of Baseball's Greatest and Abel's Island. My mom loves to tell everybody how Abel's Island was my favorite book. She pinches my cheeks as she recounts how I re-read it in the 4th and 5th grade (hey, it was short) and she ruffles my hair as she brags about the great lengths to which I went for the book report. In this case, the book report was a first person speech presented to the class. While my classmates were dressing up as Abner Doubleday, Nicky from Frecklejuice or Wally Morris from the Reluctant Pitcher, I had to dress up as a mouse caught on a deserted island. This meant jean cut-offs with a rope tail stapled to the seat, a tattered shirt and Mickey Mouse ears painted grey. I clutched the weatherworn scarf of Amanda, my dearest, and to the amusement of my classmates proceeded to tell about my longing for her love and earnest intentions to find my way back to civilization and her warm embrace. On my way down from the podium, I gave the boys a look expressing just how appreciative I would be of their comments and criticisms.
At recess I earned detention for another week.
As the end of the year and summer approached, the school provided us with popsicles due to the immense heat and lack of air-conditioning. We already had been effected by the disease that most kids contract in the last month of the year that stymies your focus, depresses your will to learn and subverts classroom decorum. It is called by many names but Mr. P called it "Summer-itis." Throw in a few popsicles a week and it's a wonder that the school wasn't burned down. At the end of the year talent show, and in the spirit of the jovial summer-loving atmosphere, Kevin C (I still remember his phone number!), James K, Jimmy S and I performed Kokomo by the Beach Boys backed by my Casio keyboard. We were up against such noteworthy acts as Brianna's drawing ability, Scott's dancing and Danny's impersonation of Mr P. But we won! We came in first in the musical category, just ahead of Chase S who failed to perform. Just kidding. Actually, there were no losers, we were all winners in Mr. P's eyes. Except Chase. He went on to be eliminated on the first question of Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
Given all the happy memories I have from that year, it seems surprising that this bookmark is all that remains. No books, art projects or trophies. No friends remain from that time. Jimmy S was a good friend through high school and I even ended up dating a girl from Mr. P's class after high school, but those relationships have followed the dodo into extinction. Yet, there is one person who still looks out for me all these years after the big move. One person who makes sure I am wearing the nicest coolest clothes. Only one person makes sure I know about all the latest doodads and gizmos. Somebody who encourages me to keep reading, writing and blogging. And it just happens to be the same person who bought me this bookmark way back when.
.
.
.

Then and now, the funniest person I know.

The little things...

I think you will agree that it is the little things in life that make it great. Well, as I have already established, I love me a list, and I love this list. 1000 little things that make life great. Reading them makes me smile. I hope you recognize a few things on the list and it makes you smile too.

a whole lot of life

The caption reads: "Medgar Evers' widow consoles her son at funeral service."

One reason we started this blog was because we wanted an instrument to relive and retell some of our favorite and poignant childhood memories. Well, here is a scene I can only empathize with as an adult.
At the age of nine years old, Darrell Evers got a whole lot of life thrown his way. Can you imagine? His father, one of the heroes of the Civil Rights movement and a key contributor to the ruling that began the downfall of segregation (Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954). Just the previous year, in 1962, Darrell himself was a plaintiff in a case to integrate Mississippi schools. His was not the normal life of a nine year old. Responsibility chose Darrell at a very early age it seems.

That this photo even exists is shocking; that it was the cover of a national magazine leaves me speechless.

For another perspective ask Bob Dylan Only a Pawn In Their Game.

People of Wal-Mart

This is one of the best things I have seen in awhile. I can't stop laughing but I am also kind of crying inside. Seriously makes me want to go to Wal-Mart. But I think I would need a shower afterwards.

welcome to the club

Of course, spending my high school years in Orange County meant that I spent tons of time at Disneyland. So much time, in fact, that I got completely sick of it and I have not been back in nearly ten years. Oh my, how time flies. But, there has been a lot of chatter lately about going back, if only to be present when Anita makes her first trip. The mind races, once again, to uncover all the lost nuggets of nostalgia from those many trips to the happiest place. And, I must admit my excitement to watch her as she walks among those living monuments to our youth for the first time. But I still need a little inspiration to get me back in the spirit. So I go a-way back to one of the first secrets I discovered about Disneyland. Club 33. I never knew much about it except that it existed and it was high class and you had to belong to an exclusive club to get in. For years, I told what little I did know to most every out-of-towner I encountered. Well, there is so much more to know.
It still is fascinating. A secret dining club for Walt Disney to entertain dignitaries at Disneyland. You can't get in without being a member or a guest of a member. As a little boy this was a bit like a lost treasure. That certainly was all part of the Disney mystique. Everything seemed to have secrets didn't it? Well, discover for yourself. As for myself, from now until our grand visit I will look towards the secrets and the mystique to regain a bit of the old excitement. With any luck I can pass along a bit to Anita.

Space

Space is rad.

life lessons

Confidence is a good thing, right? Love conquers all, right? Not so fast my friends. Sometimes, life and justice have different designs for you.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Police said they arrested a suspected robber on Sunday after he returned to his victim's home to ask her out on a date.

Don't judge him too harshly. He, after all, is just a man.

best deli town?

Last night, while I was contemplating what to eat I got to thinking drooling about all the great places to eat in Los Angeles. But what would I have eaten if I were in LA? Mexican? Sushi? Jewish Deli? While I was contemplating the many types of food that I would kill to eat at that moment, I began perusing the most recent issue of the Jewish Journal (what is that weird?) and lo and behold, there is a book out on October 19 by David Sax proclaiming Los Angeles the king of the deli. Macaroni!

There has been no grand decline in the L.A. deli scene. Most are packed, sometimes around the clock…The delis out there are bigger, are more comfortable, and ultimately serve better food than any other city in America, including the best pastrami sandwich on earth. Los Angeles is both the exception to the rule of the deli’s inevitable decline and the example to the rest of the nation of how deli can ultimately stay relevant.

Oh David, if only you knew how important it makes me feel to think that all those beautiful moments of my youth that were spent inside LA delis, were actually spent in the country's best delis. So, be sure to visit your local deli and (if it is not in LA) remind them that they are inferior. Or, go out enjoy what you got and focus on the positive.

the fallen idol

It was about seven years ago that I first watched The Third Man, directed by Carol Reed and written by Graham Greene and starring Orson Welles. I was in a bit of an Orson Welles phase and had read about the famous cuckoo clock speech that Welles had written for the film and was very intrigued. Of course, it did not disappoint. It has been insinuated that Welles actually directed the film himself and you can see why such a theory took root, as the lighting and camera angles are very similar to those in Citizen Kane. The only other film by Reed I had seen was the Agony and the Ecstasy which is impossible to compare, both because it was in color and was made almost 20 years later. Naturally, when I read about another Reed film, made just a year before The Third Man, which supposedly contained many of the film techniques lauded in The Third Man, I had to see it.
The Fallen Idol is a 1948 British crime drama, again written by Graham Greene, that focuses on the goings-on at the French embassy located in England. It is both a children's tale and adult film. Young Philippe is the pampered son of the Ambassador who is practically given the run of the embassy while his father is gone to retrieve his mother from her extended hospital stay. His caretakers while his father are away are Baines, the butler, and Mrs. Baines, the head housekeeper. Mrs. Baines is cold and humorless and generally treats the boy like a pest, while Baines is the boy's best friend who regales him with tall tales of African safaris and quelled slave insurrections. With Baines' help, young Phil tastes the fruits of childhood fun forbidden by the seemingly omniscient Mrs. Baines; notably sneaking toffees, keeping a pet snake and running the streets of London. But life cannot remain idyllic forever and eventually the embassy becomes the focus of a criminal investigation by the police, thus isolating Phil and leaving him to lead his own investigation into the evidence. Phil's insight into the investigation are curious and often humorous. Is Baines the roughneck from the tall tales? Is Mrs. Baines only ever the witch she has made herself out to be? Should girls be trusted? Oh, the complexities of adult and married life. Plus, Phil must struggle with the essential code of children, namely how important is it to keep a secret? Even when you don't like the person? Is telling the truth more important? Does a child's opinion matter to adults?
The film isn't on par with The Third Man, and no it does not put to rest all doubts of Carol Reed's skill, but it is a very good film. I found it quite exciting and rather fun. Certainly, it is worth a watch especially if you enjoy the nostalgia of seeing the world from a child's point of view, as I do. It is available on Criterion DVD or for rent through Netflix.

Hat tip to ALW for turning me on to the article that started it all.

Interview

Can you imagine arriving in New York, for the first time, and on your very first day in the city happening on The Factory, having Andy Warhol make you lunch, helping him create an installation and speaking with and making a lunch date with Roy Lichtenstein for the next day? Yeah, neither can I. But I guess that is why my life could not be described as "literally fabulous." Fascinating.

gif party

Sorry. Again, no time to post anything worthwhile. In the meantime, entertain yourself with Gif Party. It is about half funny.

What do you think Wee-Bey, is it funny? Well, think about it. You have plenty of time to decide.



Warning: Definitely not safe for work.

Laborless Weekend

Our weekend consisted of cookies, cupcakes, graphic novels, cookies, frozen yogurt, "Sugar" (and sugar), sand and sun... and cookies. Oh yeah, and in what surely can be considered a major childhood milestone, Anita met Andy and Duckie for the very first time.

and now i know

I have always been awed by the mid-century building at 3200 6th Ave.. It's an amazing looking building and the huge windows are like the department store windows of old. So many times I have driven by trying to imagine what the spaces look like inside. How do the tenants furnish them? Well, my questions have been answered. Want to rent one of the streetside apartments with a view of the park? Only $2,200 a month. I will be honest, I am a little disappointed. Not that I wouldn't like to have that kitchen. But, the light wood cabinets, the grey countertops and marble bathroom is just not that appealing to me. However, notice the exposed brick in the bedroom (behind the bed). That is too cool.

Thank you Modern San Diego for answering all my questions. Modern San Diego is one of my favorite blogs and a daily read. I am always impressed with the research done and mid-century architectural knowledge on display. I intend on highlighting a few of my favorite posts from their blog in the future. Thank you Modern San Diego, keep up the good work.

Before and After

Doesn't this make you want to re-vamp all of your furniture until you have the perfect mid-century-ish abode?
The idea of doing something like this has occurred to me before but I never expected such fantastic results.

uncle milton

Sorry for the infrequent posts. It has been a busy week. But, it's Friday, loose ends are starting to tie themselves together and I think I am leaving work early to get a head start on the weekend. Before I do, I wanted to share some eye candy from the renowned Milton Glaser. I was lucky enough find the Dylan poster a while ago and it's hanging on my wall. Still looking for the Elliott Gould magazine however, just waiting to find a nicer copy on ebay.

I can't wait to see To Inform and Delight, the documentary about his life. Coming soon to DVD I hope.

R.I.P. Ellie

Ellie Greenwich passed away last week. So many songs that I hold dear, that I have sung since I was a little girl and now sing to my little girl, were written by Miss Ellie. In fact, I think the first song I sang to my little bird was, "Be My Baby". R.I.P. Ellie

big georgia, little georgia

Georgia Hubley, of Yo La Tengo fame, is the daughter of acclaimed animators John & Faith Hubley. Below, she and her sister Emily voice the characters in the Hubley family short film Windy Day which was nominated for an Oscar in the "Best Short Subject, Cartoons" category in 1968.

And, in 1997 she was just acting like a child alongside Mr. Show in the video for Sugarcube. The typical hilarity ensues.

that kodachrome color

Do yourself a favor and check out the collection of about 1,900 color slides by Carl Van Vechten at the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Did you notice that was Billie Holiday hiding behind the flowers? I didn't at first.

Major hat tip to the wonderful Nothing is New for turning me on to this collection. Check out their site for a few of the finer portraits including Eartha Kitt, Pearl Bailey and Alvin Ailey.