Midnite in the Morning

Monday, I informed Craig & Mike I'd be cutting down my WPMD shows to every other Sat. because of changed Beachcomber deadlines...so they're okay with all that.

Shea was down, because of Rick's attitude, but a few days later, she was on top of the world.

Early this week, Tuesday, I believe, I met with Wagman and his friend, Leo from KCSB at Ferraro's, a pizza place of his choice and spent about 2 hours talking blues and such...good pizza too. Always learn stuff at places like this. Wagman wants me on his air, but no time at the present.

Little Eddie has been calling me for years, asking me questions about records, and giving me info., like f'instance, Huggy Boy's address. Not sure what to make of him, but I speak with him, because, well y' never know do you?

So, this past Weds or so, he asks if he can come on my WPMD show to pitch a concert...OK, why not? Can I bring Benny & Geo of Thee Midniters, asks Eddie, I used to be their road mgr. Sure, okay, if you can, fine with me.

On Friday, I did an interview for the Beachcomber that reveals some PD & FBI tactics re: what they considered a terrorist threat. Involves some heavy-duty folks in our city, not sure how to spin this. At the same time, Scooter was being charged.

So, Geo and Benny & Eddie of Thee Midniters did the show and basically ripped out the walls, it was so good. Eddie used to drive thee group's van, for one thing, and as I found out, when they flew from San Diego to the Paladium, Eddie drove and was set up before they got there, he ripped up the roads so bad. He brought in 2 Midniters CDs, which he gave to me. Spendid pair of guys.

On the way home, I stopped by Gary Peterson's garage sale and got some free stuff...notebooks, just what I need.

Tonight, Sylvia has her Red Hat Society party here, maybe a dozen wimmen...tomorrow, the O.C. Record Show. Picked up a few 45s today and have been busy cleaning house this past week.

Happy Birthday to Sylvia

Visit with Rip was great fun. That Sunday, we went to Barb's for dinner with Bob & Carol (Ted & Alice couldn't make it), Bev & Burt and had really a good time.

The absolute highlight of this week was Sylvia's birthday on Oct. 20. I had managed to find a nice book on Picasso and with some booze, put together a nice package...that with cards from Don & Louise, Lanie and a day-later card from Heather made it a nice day. Not to forget Barb, who took her to lunch at the LA Museum of Art, along with a fine Pizarro/Cezanne exhibit. She loved all of it. And the BB King CD I played, then gave to her.

She moved in with Rick on Monday, out by Friday, back to Dave. Wow, somebody's head is spinning. Meanwhile, Heather & Anders made a $475 g offer on a $500 g house and 2 lots property...hope they get it. It was orginally priced at over $700 gs.

Whew! Rest of the week was fairly ho-hum, tho I passed on going to a Peter Guralnik book signing at the L.A. Library brokered by Rip Spencer. Too late, too busy.

Beware of the Blob

Today, we drove to La Habra for dental exams...at 8 a.m. Sounds simple enough doesn't it? Well, the route I chose to take - see Labor Day with Brian & Sylv - is always indirect and as traffic free as possible. So the night before, we simonize our watches (Amos N Andy, 1957), set out clean underwear and other provisions and set the alarm for 6:30. Day of trip, Sylvia was already up when I arose at 6 to give me the news that her uncle Buck Liebi had died (his unforgiving daugher Martha proclaimed him "the devil" because he cheated on his wife of 25 years, then moved the new woman into the home.

At about 7:10, we set out on our journey. Windshield needed on-trip cleaning, mucho sun in our eyes as we went out Del Amo, then up the 605, slowly with lots of bad drivers waiting for us so they could demonstrate their skill-less-ness monster driving, out the 91 to to Bloomfield, up to Rosecrans, out to Valley View - didn't really view a valley anywhere - the right on Leffingwell to La Habra and finally Hillcrest, our destination.

I had no cavaties, Sylvia had one and a cleaning. We left, sound some weird 45s at the St. Vincent, then over to a Korean thrift shop...nothing. Just as we were thinking it was all clear roads and no problems ahead, we turned onto Rosecrans and two trains were blocking the street, so I u-turned to Valley View, a bad idea, since the southbound train was making life hell for them, so I u-turned a second time, back onto Rosecrans...the only difference was, #1, the trains were gone, #2, lots more traffic than if I'd just waited. That's when I regretted not waiting, until we got to another Korean thrift shop on the other side of the tracks ... a mirror image of the La Habra one, that was literally just being opened, so if I hadn'ta stopped at the first one, wouldn't have been delayed by the train, thus would've been there too early for the opening...found 4 45s, the very rare The Blob by the Zanies on Era...first label...some Hank Williams 45s and a Columbia custom sound check record.

Just imagine if I had to commute like this every day, like everyone else does. I need a nap.

This afternoon, visited Roland Kerr to look at 78s, boxes of them, all Mercury/Clef product from when he'd been a KNOB dj in '54 and the label was phasing out 78s. They sent him the discs, gratis. I recommended he donate them to the jazz archives and went on my way. Interesting guy tho.

Day after tomorrow, Rip Spencer of the Untoucahbles will be on to discuss Sam Cooke, as the new bio just came out. Will be fun.

car vandalized

On Sunday afternoon, I went out to a conservative bastard's house to look at records. He had a few goodies, the best being a Joe Turner EP sleeve with no record, laid a couple of bucks on the coot and wished him good riddance...a mean good luck in Havisu. He answered, harrumph. He still had a mint condition Bush-Cheney bumper sticker on his car.

When I got home, I went to check out my gas cap. The day before, I couldn't fill it because I didn't have the right key, so I found some replacements, but someone had vandalized the door, sticking a piece of metal into the slot so I couldn't open it and had keyed the car. Wondered seriously if it was a fan of mine from my writing, but can't prove a thing. I tried to open it, then talked with Brian who was supposed to show up that Tues, to help me release it. He didn't show.
On Tues night, I saw something amazing at the city council hearing: a black city councilwoman who didn't want to send aid to Mississippi, because of that reason, tho she couched it in all sorts of politically bullshit terms: diversity and demographics, sent it to New Orleans instead - better diversity. These poli's can't call a it what it is: racism or reverse racism, it's all based on one's pre-judged attitude. All week I tried to reach her, but she won't - and never will - call me back, because she knows how I hate hypocricy.

So a week from Friday, look out!!! We go to press.

On Wednes, went back to the car and the gas cap door popped open, but the scratches were still there, so Sylvia filled them in with bondo and matching - sorta - paint, but it looks like a dark marker went over the area, but it'll do. Don't park it in the street!!!

Got a new paint trim and roofing job from the daughter of Shea's boyfriend's daughter Paris and her boyfriend, Josh. Nice mild kids. Shea called: Dave's kicking me out...boo hoo. Calmed her down and found out her mouth got her there...things resolved, for now, at least.

How did we get here?

Sunday night next, went to a world famous Robby Russell Yankees vs. Angels party, left before the Yankees won. Okay time.

week in review

This week has been a blur, but my inteview with KO went very well, despite my misgivings based on his early reluctance and ES's advice to "forget K." Earlier this week, I had the monthly gab-fest get-together with the Wilson boys: Renning, Silva, Soon, McDougal with the addition of John Luther, all the way from Santa Fe, that's NM and Bill Armstrong and mom. Really good time was had by all of us.

On Weds, went to cable commission mtg. during which much was made of CSULB and the impending changes to access - either make it a non-profit, or lose it. It brings my potential conflict of interest into focus, in that I'd be reporting on it, not joining in its demise. What I do remains to be seen.

On Thurs afternoon, we went to a Chinese buffet where the Clover Room used to be: dynamite food! Thursday evening, we were full, but played host to Brian and Allison and had to leave the next morning, before Allison was up, so we didn't see or speak with her.

On Fri, went to chief of police briefing and Batts met Sylvia...she took some really good photos of the man. It was fine give and take. Then we rushed, 20 minutes late, to a water and salt affair at the Haynes Power Plant.