And so it begins

For only the third time in American history, articles of impeachment have moved to the Senate for trial.

While I hold no love for the current president this is a solemn and incredibly serious occasion. It brings me no joy that our country will have to witness a trial for "High Crimes and Misdemeanors" by the man who swore to uphold our Constitution and protect our nation on January 20, 2017. I hope that serious consideration and thoughtfulness will prevail in the Senate and justice for the American people will happen.




But, I'm not holding my breath that will happen.

A quick revelation shared

I've been having beaucoup plenty strange dreams lately. I'm not sure why, but I'm starting to think it has to do with moving back to Lalaland. The dreams have nothing to do with the Krewe, just being back here! It dawned on me that we lived in Savannah longer than we'd lived in any other place in the world! We left California the first time when we were 20, came back for a short stay in San Francisco, moved back down to L.A. for a few years,  left again for overseas, came back and stayed until super nana went off to college. 

Then we left...

for what we thought was forever!

We lived in Savannah for 23 YEARS. I didn't even live in my mother's house for that long. Being back in L.A. (for good and not just a vacation) has been a combination of being incredibly joyful and being incredibly overwhelmed! So much has changed and yet there is this feeling of sameness as if the real L.A. hasn't changed, it's just become a bit more adept at hiding that reality. This is a constant source of conversation as we drive around town. So, with all of this in mind, we're slowly narrowing our search area down for housing, but it's still a chore. 

On the upside, this city is a fantastic place for sustainable (don't you just love that word instead of saying "used"?) (UPDATE: additional terminology is thrifted) furniture to replace what we either sold or gave away! I am looking forward to that little exercise. 

**********

Since my post the other day, I'm finding it easier to stay away from that other social media site, but thanks to y'all's comments I'm not shying away from political posts or even thinking about reactions! As the saying goes, I have no more fucks to give at this point.

Be well, my lovelies! I'm off to do something...

constructive.

It's 2020 and I can see clearly now...

So, here we go!

Over the last few weeks, I've learned a few things that slightly unnerved me! On that other social media site someone reported a post I'd shared and it was removed because it "violated community standards" according to Facebook that other social media site. Then, I heard that I was being "muted" by some friends because I'd become too much of a "political downer" as far as they were concerned. (Go figure, right? I'm the political downer??? Do they not watch the news?) And finally, the MITM heard from some old neighborhood friends that my social media posts were the topic of conversations (and not always favorably) about me, but never with me! All of this has perplexed me because I thought it was clear that anything I shared or said was to keep ME from falling into complacency and accepting the insanity here in the USA as normal! 

What to do?

I noticed that one of our Blogville pals said he was sort of switching over to Instagram and instead of blogging. I totally get it! It's image-based and doesn't really require a response from the poster. I like it, but I'm more of a scroller and not a poster on that site. Then there's Twitter! Another place for "hearing" different voices without actual involvement. I'm a "liker" and "retweeter" there with the occasional post or response. There are other sites, but I'm not ready to commit/get involved. *sigh*

So, here I am back to my safe place! I'll be making the rounds to visit all y'all and also, trying to be a slightly more consistent Blogger!

***************

I had a birthday celebration on NYE at super nana and Mr Matrix's home. All of the Krewe, family and a few friends showed up to help celebrate and party! It was a blast (quite literally) with confetti and streamer cannons fired off by the Good Gentlemen and Honorable Lincoln Street Cannoneers aka Cap't Chaos and The Doc, lots of music, great food, and a delicious chocolate cake! No pictures because NDA's were signed to protect reputations and livelihoods! Or maybe because we were too busy drinking having fun!

A couple of days later while getting rid of some of the decorations, I got hit in the eye by a piece of foam core board! Again, no pictures, but after 3 hours in Urgent Care, the last thing I wanted to do was document the injury! Trust me, it was not pretty! I asked for a black eye patch because my 7-year-old grandkids would love it, but the request was politely declined! Baby Girl Matrix and Big Boy Chaos were fascinated for about 10 minutes, then just monitored my recovery with pithy sayings! I missed out on 2 Birthday lunches because of my own vanity! (It doesn't matter that we're in L.A. and everybody wears sunglasses indoors, I couldn't do it!) I was promised rain checks for the lunch dates, so all wasn't lost.

***************

There you have it! An almost complete update on what's been going on around here with me and the MITM! What's been happening in your world, sweetpeas? xoxo

Yikes!

I have missed more than I had thought!

Captain Chaos had a BIRTHDAY on November 11th and I forgot to post. I have no excuse, but I did wish him a Happy Birthday! 

He's a funny guy!

*************

Here's to all y'all with all our love and affection for the kindness and generosity you've given us

throughout the years, but especially this one!

Happy Holidays, Loveries!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUPER NANA!!

Last year, super nana, Mr. Matrix, and Big Girl Matrix were celebrating her birthday in Paris! This year we're all together and will celebrate in total Krewe fashion because y'all, we do know how to party.

So, please join the MITM, the Krewe, and me in wishing our sweet girl* 

One of my favorite super nana photos!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

*She may not be blogging anymore, but super nana still reads this blog, especially on her birthday!

Are you still dancing?

To Earth, Wind and Fire, of course!

Every time I see those words, I starting singing/humming the song. (chair dancing as I type)

**********************

So here we are, October 3rd! I'm in Burbank and super nana just asked me, "Why aren't you blogging?" I had no good answer (or even a bad one), so here I am! We're still nomads (I'd say Bedouin, but I'm neither Arab or North African, and sweetmarysunshine, I'm the last one who wants to be accused of cultural appropriation) and actually still enjoying it. Looking at real estate in Lalaland is an adventure, especially when you're from this place and remember what it used to be. 

******

California, and Los Angeles specifically, has seen a monumental rise in homeless population for a variety of reasons many of which have existed for a long time. Part of the problem can be traced to the closure of mental hospitals under then Gov. Ronald Reagan and on into his presidency and the Republican controlled Senate. Check out this link from Salon Magazine:

https://www.salon.com/2013/09/29/ronald_reagans_shameful_legacy_violence_the_homeless_mental_illness

(Seems I've forgotten how to do a hyperlink!)

But that's only a part of the problem. The disparity between rich and poor has grown incrementally and is startlingly apparent in areas far removed from the traditional "Skid Row" area in Downtown L.A.! Campsites along major streets and under overpasses are common sights. Seeing tents pitched in alleys behind what would be considered middle class areas is no longer surprising. And yet, with all of this real need for housing, we have empty luxury apartments that are written off by developers or priced far beyond the means of working people. To be clear, here, as in far too many places, people are living paycheck to paycheck and one misstep can end up in an eviction or foreclosure. Too often it's not even a misstep, it's an unexpected expense that sends a person or family reeling out of financial control. Seeing campers, cars, SUVs, and camper trucks lining residential and industrial streets 24/7 is a sight not expected in a city that has a budget that dwarfs COUNTRIES is beyond startling. Los Angeles is trying to address this issue, but it may be a case of too little, too late I don't know. What I do know is that there are people working to solve these problems and they are in the public and private sector. Throwing money at the problem isn't the solution. Like any other problem that occurs when you're dealing with people, we're looking at a multi-pronged approach. Providing housing must be coupled with providing needed services to those who need them. I know that this is an issue for many cities, not only here in the USA, but in other countries. I also know I'm starting to ramble/babble, but it's only because this city, my city, has changed so much and is so different, I feel almost lost here.

***********

Now, back to me and the MITM. Given all that I've shared (and believe me, I cut out a LOT), we have nothing to complain about because we have options and living on the street and pushing a shopping cart isn't one of them. 

And for that, I am grateful.

******

This is how this post had started before I realized just how ungrateful I sounded:

After living in 2600 square feet in a single family house with a HUGE garden, looking at an apartment less than half that size stacked/surrounded by dozens of units is a tad off-putting. 

It looks as if given the MITM's schedule, things won't be settling down until sometime during the first quarter of 2020. April will mark one year back in Southern California and the beginning of yet another chapter here in the city, my city, Los Angeles! 

Do you remember the 21st night of September?

So long to summer even if it's going to be 93 here in Lalaland! I can never resist this song in September, but then, like so many, I danced to Earth, Wind, and Fire then and still do now!

So, here's our update:

The MITM and I are still enjoying our nomadic life and rediscovering the city we both grew up in. The Krewe is still happy we're out here, so that's a good thing. I don't miss Hurricane Season in the Southeast, nor do I miss the "should I stay or should I go" feeling that so many of my friends in SAV are experiencing. Bugging out during an evacuation isn't fun, nor is it easy, but staying and the hurricane worsens is even harder. I wish my pals in Georgia and Hope (who isn't blogging now) in the Carolinas, the best of luck and that Dorian takes a BIG turn out into the Atlantic and spares them the devastation inflicted on the Bahamas!

Right now, housing in SoCal, like so many other places in California, is scare and EXPENSIVE! So, as much as we'd like to stay in the city, we're looking outside of the basin and have expanded our search to places within an hours drive from here. I am not as happy about this, but we shall see...

The MITM is still unsure when he'll be going back to deepestdarkestafrica, so we have time to continue our search for a permanent location because as y'all might remember there are 40 or so boxes of books that need to be moved and NOBODY wants to move those more than twice (in to the moving van, then out of the moving van)! At least, nobody who's doing it for free!

So, there you go, a brief, but pretty accurate update. I promise not to let 2 months go by before I blog again!

Now, off to catch up with all y'all!

xoxo

A new film by BGM and Mr Matrix

Technology and creativity in the summertime!

BMG wanted to make another film, so Mr Matrix helped her do her storyboard and then BGM made her movie. We got to see the raw footage before editing and all the other things that go into a movie were done. She had fun making her vision happen!

Our Official Welcome Back to California!

6.4 earthquake in Ridgecrest, California!

Ridgecrest is 2 hrs and change away from Burbank (were we are right now) which is how we measure distance here by time, not actual mileage (140 miles), so we felt it as a rolling motion. We were here during the Northridge quake which was a 6.7 and we sure as hell felt that one INTENSELY. The epicenter was in a remote area, but still populated. There has been damage there, but as of now no reported deaths or injuries. 

There have been and will continue to be aftershocks across the area. Y'all might see or hear about the earthquake via the news, but know that the MITM, the Krewe, and I are OK! 

xoxo

For Lewis

For our friend and fellow blogger, LX (I can never get the umlaut to work over the X)!

A short story from the MITM

I had a dog when I was a child.  A Black Lab.  She raised me.  We went everywhere fearlessly, recklessly and playfully.  We roamed South Central L.A., her running, me on bike, on scooter and on foot.  We knew every short cut, every alley, every fruit tree, every place to see something wondrous.

She died when I became a young man.

I had a dog for sport when I was a young man.  Another Lab.  A great hunter, retriever, and water dog.  I was taught to hunt at a young age and as a young man thought I was the best hunter of all.  Thought I was invincible.  The Lab knew otherwise.  He kept me from making a fool of myself many, many times.

He died when I became a man.

I had a Rottweiller when I had a family.  She helped my wife and I raise our kids.  She was loyal, loving, strong and valiant.  She fought off the things that go bump in the night.  She protected her house and her family.  She saw the children through their teens.  She died the day my sister passed away from cancer.  People said my sister must have gone to the hood side of heaven and needed our Rotty with her.

I don’t know about that, but I like the sound of it.

I’m now an old man.  I bought a dog.  A Brittany Spaniel.  I told this dog that she would die with me.

I died.  I don’t know what happened to the Brittany that sat with me through the weakness of age.  I haven’t seen her since.

Damn, it's June 24th!

All right, here we go:

Staying with super nana for a few weeks and then back to the Captain's place.  

Yeah, I know, why haven't we found a place of our own yet, right? Well, sweetpeas, I would like to move only ONE MORE TIME and not just take any place and end up moving again, so we're taking our time. We've moved more times than I want to remember (it's close to 20 now) over the half century we've been married, so I am in no rush to move again. We downsized the contents of our 2500 sq ft house and what's left is in storage (including 40 boxes of books), so I am REALLY in no rush to unpack any of what's left, as in the contents of a 26' moving truck.

The MITM has turned into an urban farmer because super nana and Mr Matrix have fruit trees in the backyard. So far, he's made Peach Cobblers. Today, he's making Peach Jam! He's planted basil and Italian parsley. Mr Matrix has planted Dragon Chilies. (I've just watched.)

There will be pictures later. 

Maybe even today!

xoxo

Checking in

It's been a whirlwind around here, but we're good. I'll blog about what's been going on this weekend.

Left Coast Update

Things I've learned about moving across country:

1. Write ALL of your passwords down in a secure place and keep them with you.

2. Don't ask me why that's important.

3. MARK all of your boxes with the contents as detailed as POSSIBLE.

4. Don't ask me why that's important.

5. Make sure you carry your phone charger with you at all times.

6. Yeah, that's right, don't ask me why that's important.

7. Plan ahead for help at both ends of the trip.

8. Ask the MITM, The Doc, Capt. Chaos, and Mr Matrix why THAT'S important.




There will be more, but right now, I need a beer!

Getting out of Dodge...or Savannah, to be precise!

Yep, it's true the MITM and I have sold our house here on The Plantation and we're moving back to LaLaLand aka Los Angeles. The house was on the market for only ONE DAY when we got an offer from the first couple that saw the house! We had, in addition to their initial viewing, 2 others before the offer was made. We countered and they accepted, so after the inspection and appraisal, we are done. I really thought the house would be on the market longer, but I was seriously wrong!

I could not have picked a better day to fly out, APRIL 1st also known as April Fool's Day, but it ain't a joke, I have a ticket and I will be leaving on a jet plane at 11AM on Monday. The MITM and The Doc (who arrives the day I leave) will drive out on the 3rd and probably be in L.A. by Saturday. They've done the drive before, so are confident they can cover the 2,465 miles/3967km in 36 hours or so.

We did a big purge and sent a LOT of things off to auction, so we've automatically downsized in terms of things, but even with all of that there are STILL a LOT of boxes EVERYWHERE in this house! Book boxes are handy because the size is uniform and makes packing a truck easier, but SWEET MARY SUNSHINE you can end up, depending on the size of your library, with quite a few! (We have 40 *I stopped counting after 20* according to the MITM) Then there was the kitchen...*sigh* Y'all know how much we both enjoy cooking and entertaining, so you can imagine what that packing event was like!

Don't even get me started on the closets. BUT, if you haven't gone through your own clothes in over  a year, I suggest you do so ASAP even if you aren't planning a move. Marie Kondo (google her) is right, if an item doesn't spark joy, LET IT GO! You'll be happier and even better, the clothes you aren't wearing can be used by someone else who needs (or wants) them! 

(Take a moment to read a hilarious account about the Marie Kondo "Tidying Up" method at Victoria Elizabeth Barnes)

Also, if you don't have a document shredder, GET ONE and use it routinely on any piece of paper that has personal identification on it! You will thank me for this one little piece of info later. Some cities offer document disposal/shredding free of charge once a year, so check and see if yours offers this service. I never did, so learn from my mistakes! Of course, we still have a multitude of boxes of paper we HAVE to keep for personal and professional reasons, but that's one of the joys being an adult, right? *sigh*

Here's one pic of the "Great Room" as the realtor called it after we'd removed artwork, decor and packed.

This was taken during the early stages of packing. It looks really different now! I think there are more pics on the MITM's iPad, but trust me it's just bare rooms with stacks of boxes in them. I'd post the one pic he took of the garage that's also filled with boxes, but it's just a bigger space with even MORE boxes and wrapped art work leaning against stacked boxes!

One of the things I've learned during this process is that we should only keep those things that have meaning and/or real use. Memories will always be with us, generally speaking, so keeping a "thing" but not using it serves no purpose. But even after saying that I know we've kept items that have sentimental value only to us and that's the difference. Sentimental value is personal and has nothing to do with monetary value or even usefulness! So, yeah, I'm keeping the handprint in clay The Doc made when he was 5, and the misshaped camel Captain Chaos gave me, and the handmade books super nana made in grammar school, and yep, even the cute birthday card Mr Moose gave me years ago! 

We'll miss Savannah and we'll miss our friends here, but thanks to social media and phones, we can stay in contact. We'll just be in another destination vacation spot! 

I hope our news was worth the wait and now y'all understand why my blogging was so intermittent!

Back to packing. xoxoxo

Watch This Space!

There will be news 

~SOON~

(To be clear, it has nothing to do with the Mueller report)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DOC!

The Dancing Lady posted this on Facebook, so I figured it was OK here, too!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DOC!

He's one of the good guys and one of the hippest guys around! Join us in wishing him the ABSOLUTE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!

xoxoxox

Still the one!

March 8, 1969

Happy 50th Anniversary 

I couldn't forget to share this today! Also, it's really hard not to blog when there's something to celebrate! xoxo

Seems we're taking a brief hiatus here...

Things are taking a turn for the better (to be sure), but it means that blogging might have to take a backseat for a little while. Now, that being said, I might totally ignore what I just said and blog every day, but I truly think that ain't gonna happen, but I need to just put it out there for all y'all, just in case it seems I have disappeared.

That other social media sites are easier to handle right now because it can be a hit and miss proposition using only small amounts of time, you know like taking a break from some intensely tiring work or just needing to step away and hang out.

Anyway, I'll be back eventually.


xoxoxo

What Big Girl Matrix did on a rainy day

FYI: Mr Matrix told me how this was done and the explanation is in the comments!