Pithy and Forthright

Monday, June 29, 2009

Next Stop Yreka

I'm lying. It's actually Orinda in the East Bay. At least for Tuesday night. Then north singing the I-5 blues all the way to Yreka on Wednesday. Basically 30 miles south of the Oregon border. Think Mt. Shasta, evergreens, deer in the back yard, small town, Wal Mart. THAT's Yreka. It will actually be hotter than LA because of the altitude but the noise factor will nearly be eliminated. No police helicopters, emergency sirens, or constant traffic din. The BEST part is that each night I'll be able to see stars. Lots of them. Something you NEVER see in a city. It is a simple pleasure that I adore when I'm there.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Beg Pardon

With All Due Repsect

Out earlier this morning to join a friend for breakfast. Headed for the West side of LA. For me the easiest route is West on Hollywood Blvd, then cut over to Sunset Blvd and finally onto Wilshire Blvd. This is LA and I'll always go across town before getting on ANY freeway, any day, any time. Living here you plan to minimize time spent in traffic on an hourly basis. It's rote. For a Sunday before 10am, my route rules! So I'm listening to KJAZZ and wonder for the briefest of moments "why are there news trucks in front of Grauman's?" HELLO!!!!???? Not quite awake yet are we? As the few cars in front of me slow for the light at Orange I'm right in front of Grauman's, exactly where the sidewalk shrine on Michael Jackson's star is located. I never travel without my camera. Down goes the window. Click. Light changes, traffic moves and one block later as I approach La Brea, there are more flowers but only one fan. They're Farrah's.

Hooray For Hollywood

One of the joys of living in Hollywood is the constant presence of low flying helicopters. Either the police or the media. It's nearly noon on a Sunday and a police copter has been shaking my 3 story apartment bldg for about 10 minutes. Constant circles above my "hood." So common is this air POV of my neighborhood that the intense noise of the rotors no longer terrifies the cats. In fact they now sleep through it. For the copter to be so low, it's either a car chase (the exit from the 101 Fwy is just around the corner ) or someone fleeing the scene of the crime on foot. I'm always listening for gun fire, screeching tires or a bullhorn. Never hear anything. Just that VERY loud noise of the chopper, swooping around in circles before it finally flies elsewhere to disturb the peace. THAT my friend IS Hollywood, not a glamorous image but the real reflection of the pit it is. Happy Sunday.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

My Dog

Okay, it's my cat Cooper but he acts like he's a dog. He listens to what I say and obeys. What cat does that? In an earlier post we met Emma, his sister. She KNOWS she's a cat. She lives in Emmaworld. I am but a visitor. Coopaloop lives in my world and dare I say, is madly in love with me. Miss Peel, shows affection but I know I'm only the hand that feeds her. I am fascinated by how completely different they are. The were from a litter of four. Only 3 weeks old when I got them. The mother had been killed by a car. I chose Emma first. Her markings were different. The others looked liked identical triplets. Cooper was the only boy. They'd not been socialized at all and spent the first 2 days beneath the bed, hissing and mewing. Cooper was the first to emerge and explore. That sense of curiosity remains. Emma Peel still acts the scaredy cat. She'll take to her "safe" place perched high in the closet when she feels threatened. To this day the comforter, the one I've had for 7 years now, causes her consternation. She's certain it's alive. Amuses the hell out of me. Both notice if a shoe is out of place in the closet. They'll look in, crouch, Emma behind her brother, "You go first....I'll follow." Cooper then extends a paw tapping at the offending item to be certain it isn't alive. He then turns around and leaves. Emma remains crouched, ears alert, watching the offending shoe. Slowly she backs away and runs. If I'm bored I'll move shoes around, sit back and wait. Part of me truly thinks they know I'm amused and humor me.