another week, not too weak

Spent most of the week doing database work for a new L.A. r&r book, what else? and cleaning out of files.

Then at the end of the week, I found out about a major art theft from Wells Fargo here in Long Beach....looks to be a pretty good Beachcomber exclusive, tho I can tell the cops aren't too crazy about me getting the story.

Rained Weds. & Friday, still I did my regular Y workouts. Friday at 3, the gym was almost vacant, and except for me, so was the jacuzzi.

On Thurs., two things happened.

Robby Russell came over to help me with the CD burner, which he did well, so I put together a pretty good L.A. r&b CD from Ed Pickering's powerful historical cassette. Then Shea met Robby and they became fast friends...looks like she'll be going to his Super Bowl party in early Feb.

That night, while watching The Apprentice, I decided to shave! Thass' right, no mo' beard, which I felt great about when I saw a report on the evil David Berg of COG, who invented flirty fishing...he was a white beard straggler and I don't want to look anything like this idiot.

Onward to my WPMD radio show today....then I'll file my stories, rest for the rest of the day, then set out on a one-time swap meet tomorrow and maybe the record show. Life is so busy.

last week in review

For once, we got a whole week with no rain.

Saturday, did my show, getting into a groove, that's for sure.

Sunday, Sylvia and I went to Dale's potluck, and potluck was where it's at. Sylvia brought hot links and that being MLK soul food day, went over quite well, except for one Jewish guy, a Lowenthal operative with whom I argued a tiny bit. Sharon Cottrell, ugliness incarnate also showed up, big tits, red shirt and huge backpack, handing out flyers like I cared. Didn't. Darryl was there playing music, mainly women abounded. All in all, sterling evening.

Monday - Tuesday - Weds: went to community meeting at Water HQ where I heard about a burglary problem, spoke with O'Donnell about cable news idea - he's somewhat receptive.

Brian stayed Weds & Thurs, it's getting ugly on his job, uglier on his commute.

Worked out all week at the Y - feeling pretty damned good about. On Friday afternoon, went out on a record search, came home with 26 LPs, great cheesecake, some 20 jazz 78s - all for $25, guy who sold them to me was pretty good guy - actually, pretty good Joe.

That's a week, botchame!

mid-Jan update

Busy week, as of Thursday, at least. Regular workouts continue, no problem there. On Thurs., I went to a community meeting at the home of Herb Levi - about a motorcycle training class planned for Vet's Stadium pkng lot - got photos, etc.

Friday, went to eBay store, took photos, then to Beachcomber, left off photos...onward to Bagatelle's, then to the Cable Cmssn to screen some absolutely dreadful access shows...and a couple of pretty good ones. The Amy Semple-McPhearson one was aborted by the so-called neutral producer, she just couldn't stand it, neither could we. Pretty dire, split after an hour.

On Sat., did my WPMD show and worked out at the Y. Got a call about 275 45s in Downey, guy wanted to $300, OK stuff, but it was waterlogged...."guy said it's just the paper"...picture sleeves and labels are made out of paper.

progress

I had two ideas on Wednesday morning. A Long Beach History calendar, which Jay really likes, based on the LBPL newspaper files, should be a snap. Then to rerun the Chuck Niles special on WPMD on his death anniversary. I got Ken Borgers to get the OK from KCRW, talked with Mike Stark & Craig - though Mike wants Dennis Clare to be the only one consulted, to which Craig took offense. Can't say that I blame him, though we're all pretty sure he never listens to the station. Just a very mild guy. Or did all this happen Tuesday A.M., or did it happen at all?

Wednesday was a drag. Started OK. My first visit to the new 6th floor HQ of the Beachcomber, great views, pretty nice setting. Then to downtown to visit the new Renaissance H.S., over to Bagatelle's, then home in time to have a Chinese lunch with Sylvia on my way to Kaiser. That's when things went downhill in a hurry.

Eye doctor told me I need cataract surgery ASAP, so after stalling, after the appt., I decided to go forward...but surgery isn't what I had in mind for this season, but I'm led to believe it's a pretty good way to go.

Yesterday, Sylvia had her first day at the Y and I think it'll be great for her. I increased the # of machines to 11. Afterwards, I visited Tom Iacano, a very interesting guy on Loma, who collects 78s & LPs and sold me about 15 really good 45s for $20. I'll do a story on his photo bubble business.

Today it rained all day, promises to do the same, even more, tomorrow.

joining the Y

Okay, so today we broke down and Sylvia & I both joined the Y, over 62 couple membership...pretty good deal...and she seems to thrive on the idea. She checked with Dr. Stokes who was very positive. After showing her much of my exercise routine, we jumped in the jacuzzi. In it, were four players of the Long Beach Jam basketball team...therefore, I work out in the same setting as pro athletes...pretty cool, I'd say.

At the finish of speaking with one member of the team...Ben Adams...we talked about The Worm (Dennis Rodman). Per Adams, he's a good rebounder, scoring 14 the last time he played with them, and at age 39, he'll be rejoining the Jam, tho dubious as an NBA prospect, they're an 8-4, 3rd place team. At the end of our conversation, he told me and a female who was also in the jacuzzi, "I'm 15."

After he left, her comment was: "gosh, he looked older than that."

This afternoon, Sylvia rushed in and took me to an accident at St. Cornelius Church and I did a drive-by digital photo. Big pro, right? We shall see.

bye Y

My final day at the Y was the day before New Year's Eve. Did all the exercises quite capably, very crowded. theory: it was guys and gals making up for lost time next 2 days. Jacuzzi wasn't crowded, but sauna contained one absolute female...for the first time.

New Year's Eve at Barb & Steve's (we turned down Mike & Paulette Stark's loveboat where he DJed, too many improbables), game playing with about one dozen adults with great buffet that made our dinner unecessary. Happy New Year's, now let's get the hell outta here.

Weekend was very calm, and very rainy. Rick stopped by to help with gate, repaired it absolutely. Had problems with downloading to my i-River when the hardware icon didn't pop up. Struggled with that for 2 days. That kind of scene, took long walk on Saturday with Dorothy, first in several days.

Sunday was even less eventful, but on Monday, had Shea & Rick over for dinner, ribs, wine & such, great fun. Later....