LA Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

Yes, another pleasant visit to the LA Arboretum on its Annual Garden Show. As Wilde would have put it, there were so many people I couldnt see the flowers & trees and, at times, so many flowers & trees I couldnt see the people which is worse.

Regardless, It was a wonderful day. As you may know, there is great personal value in enjoying the Arboretum and Gardens. Even the great Musashi Miyamoto later found the peaceful calm and centering which nature gives to us.

So Kiss My Arse if you dont like a man who appreciates flora. Calm...centering.

SF Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum

There are few things I enjoy more than a Botanical Garden in nice sunny breezy weather. Ever more, a blooming garden near it peak is delightful. The SF Botanical Garden at Strybing Aboretum is spectacular with its grand trees, fragrant flora and ocean breezes. I was particularly fortunate to enjoy the bloom of the camellia japonica and magnolias.

Karate Exam-Shinsa; Tiny Tots Pass!

I'm very proud of my tiny tot (3-5 yrs) students who recently tested and were promoted to higher belts. I began by asking them if they wanted a quick review before the test and they all said in one voice "NO, now". They exhibited a steadfast discipline and focus. I was incredibly impressed with their demeanor. They didn’t complain once or speak a word out of turn. They demonstrated their curriculum with confidence and know how. No adult or teen class has been so on top.

Naturally, because they were well prepared I made it harder. Still, they pushed themselves and focused beyond any pain or discomfort.

These are young leaders. They naturally lead their class peers and assist them when they need help. They have reached an impressive level. Now, more challenges will come.

Black Cloud

Black Clouds represent renewal and cleansing. They bring rain water that nuritouses the earth and lightning that causes cleansing in nature.

When the darkness comes we must look inward to find the light and have courage. To understand what we see in the darkness may not be real but only shadows.

This is the emotional part of ourselves, like the flowing water we must learn to go with the flow of life. The time of the West is when we learn that we are responsible to all things and to each other. We gather ourselves and family, working together to prepare for what is to come. Black symbolizes change from this life.

Moz Retains the Faith(ful) in Years of Refusal

The patron saint of (YOR) universal trouble makers exerts his bold lyrical talents and reaches a new height in musical achievement.

The faithful, like me, grow fonder of our high regarded hero of anti heroes.

With out Morrissey who would be there to express how we really feel and loath?

I'm looking forward to catching his gigs in the Southwest.

I dont remember the Last Time I Spoke to Carol!

Morrissey Gracias!

The Others can kiss my arse.

I'm Dissapointed to Remark "I Told You So".

The wake of destruction has now arrived and the cause long gone. I'm still astonish by the blatant deniel and disregard for the consequences of a laisser-faire attitude.

Things of this maganitude were built over time and did not just occur overnight.

Will they relize thier huge mistake and turn it around?

I dont kow.

Peanut Greed, Bailout Billionaires, Cheaters! I'm Sick!

With the greedy peanut ceo, bailout billionaires who we are paying for, and all the cheats make me sick to my stomach. Time for a bailout "tea-party" in protest of those greedy grubbers. Who cares about the octuplet mom. What about jobs, and the unemployed Americans!

Im Sick.

Fund & Revive the Civilian Conservation Corp.

In time of economic depression, this is the BEST time to revive the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) that employed so many people in the Great Depression, rebuilt America, and lead to re-skilled workers.

I'm an advocate for the CCC's work with National Parks and our parks need conservation. Furthermore, I believe that working in National Parks will ignite a great sense of fundamental environmentalism for a new generation of Americans.

This is the time to begin to reverse environmental damage and employ Americans to do something now.

Not to mention, I'm all for restricting small occupancy vehicles in to Yosemite and only allowing busses and other large occupancy vehicles. Radical, ha?

Come Home Billy Budd!!

It's time for Billy to come home. Claggart is dead. There is nothing you can do about it. It has passed.

"Forty years after a battle it is easy for a non-combatant to reason about how it ought to have been fought. It is another thing personally and under fire to direct the fighting while involved in the obscuring smoke of it." HM

"The Care Of Human Life And Happiness, And Not Their Destruction, Is The First And Only Legitimate Object Of Good Government."

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Republican Citizens of Washington County, Maryland
Monticello, March 31, 1809

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As a life long student of philosophy, and political philosophy at that, these days are viewed with profound meaning and clarity. There is no mystic. It is clear as a rare winter’s day in Los Angeles. All of a sudden, to the east are mountains caped with white snow, to the north is the Hollywood sign, to the west is Catalina. Things never seemed so clear.


The impact of the "change" will reverberate throughout the world and have a lasting affect for America. I'm hoping that Americans embrace change responsibly and maintain it consistently. Environmental, health, economic and other changes most be held. We must not give up two months, two years or two decades from now. The change must be unwavering and part of our culture.

Happy New Year: Same Priortities with Greater Focus

Priorities really havent changed for 2009. Balance, happiness, decisiveness and compassion continue to be high values. However, focus on standing priorities will be greater this year.

There will be no time for hesitation. Attainment of Goals will be decisive-quick.


Fudoshin:
A spirit of unshakable calm and determination,
courage without recklessness,
Like a willow tree,
powerful roots deep in the ground
and a soft, yielding resistance against
the winds that blow through it.

Nov. 11. US "Sound of the Smiths" release!

I'm heading to Amoeba to get my full disk copy!

I feel like an awkward nerdy teenager again. I recall my excitment in buying Smiths Albums, little changes.

>
REVIEW AFTER LISTENING TO COMPILATION:

Wow! This is beautifully remastered. The track order is brilliant and flowing. Tracks have been well balanced and reemphasized that only comes with maturity and wisdom of an accomplished musician like Marr.

I feel sixteen yet mature in my listening taste buds which make this compilation delectable.

Looking forward to our listening party with my brothers (longtime Smiths fans) to sing our hearts out and drink merrily.

Sturm und Drang in Los Angeles:Wagner Rings Festival

It's about time that one of the Largest International Metropolitan Cities strives to host a world class International Arts and Cultural Festival specific to an artisan like Wagner. Excellent choice. Salzburg has Mozart and Los Angeles will have Wagner.

Waiting and hoping for Wagner to appear in LA Phil and Opera's repertoire will be no longer and the "fest" shall ensue.

P.s. Thanks to all those with the foresight like L.A. Opera General Director Plácido Domingo, my county Supervisors Gloria Molina, Zev Yaroslavsky, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and philanthropist Eli Broad.

Footprint Challenge Update: Walking

It's been two weeks since the begining of my Carbon Reducation Footprint Challenge:

Here is my walking data:
Week One: 10/16 - 10/23
steps: 83,235
miles: 42.3
calories: 2365


Week Two: 10/24 - 10/31
steps: 63,591
miles: 30.8
calories: 1716

Powell endorses Obama for president

Colin Powell is a respected figure in America and in American history. I have always felt that Powell has been the social conscious in the Bush Administration, at best under the circumstances.

Powell tells it straight, with honesty, and with great concern for the conscious and future of America.

I almost weeped with pride for Mr. Powell. I hope that those who maybe undecided look at this as a sign to do the right thing for America.

30 Day Carbon Footprint Challenge

For 30 days I'm going to significantly reduce my carbon footprint by doing the following:

1. Walk to local places around the community within 4 miles. (Markets, etc)
2. Use local transit for distances more than 4 miles.
3. Use regional tranist (Metro rail) to get to places more than 8 miles.
4. Cutting plastic bag use from market shopping.
5. Requesting recyclable materials from establishments I frequent.

At the end of the 30 days, I will total the miles walked, travel using public transit, use of recyclables and calculate my carbon footprint.

"The Sounds of the Smiths". Compliation Release

I was always reluctant to purchase compilation releases, especially unsanctioned. However, I'm certainly going to acquire this Smiths compilation and possibly the box set.

I grew up with the Smiths. As my karate students and karate peers in the 80s would attest, the dojo was filled with Smith tunes before classes. I was in about 8th grade when I was introduced to the Smiths by my elder brother who was attending Whittier College and active with college radio. All my formats where on tapes and I had warn the hell out of them till they stretched and winned.

The sounds of my youth!

From Manchester United to Westham to Millwall: Where's your Hooligan Pride?

Moz cant be loyal to one crew? May the best hooligans win.

No One Likes Us, No One Likes Us, No One Likes Us – We Don't Care! (Millwall)

Yosemite National Park via Amtrak

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint trekking to Yosemite via Amtrak is an excellent way to do so. Conscious if the many motor vehicles that burn fuel and spout exhaust throughout the beautiful national park, I wanted to reduce my own carbon footprint. Amtrak.

The Route
With backpack gear and all, Norwalk Metro Greenline Station (Blueline to Redline) to Union Station Downtown Los Angeles. Board Amtrak thruway bus (spacious I might add) to Bakersfield. Board Amtrak Train to Merced. Merced board YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transit) to Curry Village where the adventure really begins. Lou from YARTS was very cool and friendly. I missed my bus back at Curry Village (coming down from the backcountry) but Lou picked me up and gave me a ride to the Lodge where I met my bus. Thanks Lou!

The connecting Train and busses are cordinated well and no worry in missing connections because Amtrak assures that (they own the busses, to from Bakersfield and LA). Very smooth.

I offset my carbon footprint. By car I would have burned 0.200 tonnes: 772 miles.

By rail burned 0.075 tonnes of carbon: 772 miles

If it were up to me, I would close access to motor vehicles and restrict access only to busses and shuttles. If.

Off I go to Yosemite

Packed and ready to hit Yosemite via rail. Near Carbonless.


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