“The Greek word for “return” is nostos. Algos means “suffering.” So nostalgia is the suffering caused by an unappeased yearning to return.”
― Milan Kundera, Ignorance

first hand narrative / insightful/ squeamish quotient minimal

“Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin.” When a person gets old, really old, onset dementia old, they often quit receiving. Instead they switch into broadcast mode. I know this because when I was young, I was a willing audience to these long lifers; to their nostalgia. I also know, if by nature, your lighthearted, your memories will be proof of it. People will like you. If your not, memories will take on water.  Your peers may not like you – but old people will. Because they won’t care about your nature. Because they’re not listening. Because they’re glad for the company……I wonder about how to be old

“Are you still sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin again.” My nostros tends towards algos. Domminant memories are often NOT a joy to return to, but unlike the chipper among you, return I do. To a time  that smelled of sweat; branded in bittersweet loss. Those lazy summers spent at the stables, in adoration of  the days racing greats. And then the kind of heartbreak that cause the young to suffer so. Ruffian.

“When nothing else subsists from the past, after the people are dead, after the things are broken and scattered…the smell and taste of things remain poised a long time, like souls…bearing resiliently, on tiny and almost impalpable drops of their essence, the immense edifice of memory”
― Marcel Proust

Humpty Dumpty Donald Trumpty – all the great fishes and all the great environmentalist couldn’t take back a piece of abandoned coastline – ever again

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Back story / Update: We at Pasadena Adjacent assumed Donald Trump acquired Palos Verde’s Marineland and turned it into a golf course / luxury housing development. Actually Terranea is on the old Marineland grounds. ”The Donald” is better looking as plastic. That hasn’t changed.

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First rattle snake sighting of the season 5/17/2012

Past the “boom and bust” oil town of Mentryville (California Registered Landmark #516). Started by  Mr “There Will be Blood” Charles Alexander Mentry whose second son would go on to ride Man O War to his first victory on the (pre Santa Anita) east coast. And BEFORE the longest running commercially viable oil well in the world; CSO-4 (1876-1990) owned by Standard Oil and registered as California Landmark #517. All part of the larger Pico Canyon which is part of the Santa Susana mountain range, named after former California Governor Pio Pico (whose Great GGG granddaughter was “this editors” next door neighbor in San Diego; Annette Bennett was on the other side) and after loosing the war to the Yanks, had his workers drag tar out of the canyon for his hacienda in the San Fernando Valley. Up a smaller break away canyon (between the two historical landmarks) and named after two girls; Minnie and Lotta, that once hiked the trail that supposedly leads to a waterfall, which is now in the process of being restored – thanks to the Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy who got Standard Oil to donate the land.

Anyhow, the snake was at trails end.

What started out as a clever framing devise for a multi panel interior mural, has become the bane of our existence. Faux tooled leather; the perfect signifier slated for a town whose (single stoplight) business community, is covered in a faux western store front. And providence seemed to be in our corner too. Such as discovering Big Fred’s childhood tools and leather patterns had escaped Ramona’s frequent purges.  The initial concept was to create the leather pattern out of clay, cast it in water absorbing plaster, then caste lightweight cotton lintels (ground up paper) – pull and paint.

Dead end – FAILURE  - Return to go.

The video describes our current process; special thanks to the ever clever Mid-Town G. The women are part of Team Pasadena Adjacent. Erin and Clare from County Arts, leaving with a finished sample to run by the commission. Outcome? SUCCESS. For the moment.

*[Difficulty with Vimeo videos? TRY THIS ]

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Death, mourning and ritual are at the heart of Passage 2001. The single screen work by Iranian-born artist Shirin Neshat, with music by Philip Glass, was viewed at the Nevada Museum of Art in 2011. The video features 3.17 seconds of an 11 minute film.

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Again – “smitten”

In conclusion, a nod to the other artist whose work occupies the grounds of the Altadena Public library. The 7′x14′ water sculpture at the main doorway “Tree of Life” (no longer in operation) and the “Owl Tree” on the south entrance, is by Altadena artist David Green. The “Owl” in the children’s section and “Lady” in the fern garden is by Armenian sculptor Nishan Toor.

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We old-timers in the blogsphere, those who find themselves passed over by Patch and other forms of paid civil servitude, are in the luxurious position to dwell in the house of the arcane. And when we find other fellow travelers, we’re quick to lend a hand. Allow Pasadena Adjacent to introduce you to maverick filmmaker John Sandel. He’s the husband of fellow blogger Petrea of the respected Pasadena Daily Photo. Please check  out his video. Sounds intriguing doesnt it? we in the “adjacents” think  the recently rescued 1887 (crack) house and former residence of Garvanz’s Dr. John Smith, would make an excellent location for John’s film Strong Love. Just a thought.

John hopes I know rich people who might be willing to shore up those last needed dollars on Kickstarter; me too! Not just for Mr Sandel, but for the group of independents he’s associated with. Check out the Ruby Booby trailer, part of the collective. It’s about a girl in search of her father Jose Feliciano. 54 seconds in, you might recognize the Garvanza tile mural on the hillside stairway off of San Pascual Ave; also Lincoln Heights and Debs Park.

Don’t dilly dally. Time is of the essence. Please toss a dollar (or more) into the on-line hat. You don’t risk anything unless they get the full funding on Kickstarter. It’s super easy if you have an Amazon account. And we don’t want to see John upset. He’s so distinguished looking. Three days left. Your chance to be a film backer on films you want to see happen.

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Garvanza’s best friend Tina G Miller, the driving force behind the Garvanza Improvement Association (go ahead – you can “like” them on Face Book) will be hosting a spaghetti extravaganza fundraiser  tomorrow night;  Thursday the 19th 6:00 pm. Don’t let living in a nearby adjacent stop you from attending. Bring a dish – bring a dollar (or more please) and feel good about yourself for participating in the making of a film based on the life of Antonio Corsi - figure model and forgotten legend of Garvanza’s inner circle.

Think of it as an opportunity to hang out in a rambling Craftsman with your Highland Park neighbors, as we move towards our desired common goal; World domination! after all, the New York Times now recognizes us as a cultural stopover.

Tina asks that you arrive in bohemian costume. If your short on Stevie Nicks wash and wear, you can always pick up something at Garvanza’s 99 cent store. They currently have a pleasing selection of tiki paraphernalia. Improvise! we know your creative. And it’s a chance to Skype with our leader Jake Gorst: he’s the one making the film. So please bring a dish and donation to the event. Go to Face Book and click on “join” so we know you are attending. Or you can write me at accesspalm@gmail.com and I’ll give you the address. Thanks and hope to see you there!

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Update…… The Spaghetti Dinner will be hosting a prize to the highest donation at the spaghetti dinner tonight we will be giving 2 tickets away from the Los Angeles Conservancy to see the original 1922 Robin Hood at the amazing Orpheum Theater. This is with Douglas Fairbanks and Wallace Beery! There will be a live accompaniment with the 1928 Mighty Wurlitzer organ played by Robert Israel. Leonard Maltin will be giving the Introduction!!

A year ago today, Tovah took the road most “unavoidable”  I was cold cocked, cheated, but even had I been expecting it, the results would always be the same. I’d second guess my actions and come to the realization that no one gets it right when it comes to death. What I did get right was the choice to wait. It’s interesting to contemplate the word mourning. One version implies new beginnings and the other; grief. But after a loss, the two are in absolute sync. Mornings become the saddest time of day. At its worst, it lasts a month. If you’re a Christain, 40 days. After that, you live with a low grade depression. Functional, but a little sad.

Thank you to poor Mary, who had to be with me for a week afterwards in New Mexico; to late to change plans. Thank you Karin and my sister Victoria, both who understood my sorrow and didn’t judge my direction. Thank you Joan Didion for writing it down while you lived it. Thank you Paula, who kept me in her thoughts and Susan, who kept a look out for my next princess. She’s here.

I have a bias towards cats with pointy ears and faces. After five cat shows, internet searches, cattery visits, and rescue sites, I decided to invoke the spirit world. I placed my Tai Spirit house next to the flowering Lion’s Tail, and did a little redecorating. My ceramic budah mezuzah, terra-cotta warriors and  cocktail monkeys. But of highest significance are my siamese cat figurines. Stand-ins for my loss/lost girls. The bone china siamese kitten is from my grandmother and represents Tovah. Then there’s the crystal siamese cat given to me by an elderly couple. In the waiting room the day Tess was euthanized; they got my address after I left, and mailed it to me. Sometimes people are so damn decent.

Consider this post Twyla’s formal introduction to blogger society. On February 25, Twyla Bean showed up at the sixth cat show I attended; across the street from Glendale Community College. I saw her and felt that long awaited “yes.” I’m now back to loving the morning. She is magnificent. We are content.

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Princes HaHaPomodena at PIO Ann Erdman’s retirement party held at the Castle Green

“Former” PIO Ann Erdman, roasted on a clear day.  A hearty congratulations to both our local “dena” queens. To Ann Erdman, current Grand Marshal of the Doo Dah parade. And to Patrizzi Intergalactica (in another of her multiple personalities); our newly fermented 2012 Doo Dah Queen.

*[Difficulty with Vimeo videos? TRY THIS ]

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