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Some things sadly missing this Year.
5 years ago
Seasons Grrrreetings Fellow FA Artists, Writers, Musicians, Crafters, Costumers and other highly creative persons.
How did that old Joni Mitchell song go? ""Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?" Those lyrics seemed to be running through my head during one of my walks through downtown Pasadena recently. I took the bus to the big Target on Colorado Blvd. to do a little Holiday shopping, but I kept missing the busses heading back to Schirm's place, so I decided that walking would be faster than having to wait up to two hours for the return trip home. Since I was moving at a walking pace I could see things in better detail than I would see from the bus, and I noticed so many small shops and restaurants which were bustling with Holiday shoppers last year were now closed, dark and vacant. I had also forgotten about the recent restrictions on outdoor dining, so I had no place to sit down and enjoy a meal as I had been on the move all day and I needed something to tide me over until dinnertime. I ended up getting a couple Peanut Butter cups and a bottle of Diet Coke at the local Supermarket, and I made my way back towards the Rose Bowl, where I planned to enjoy my snack on the picnic benches in that area.
Walking West on Colorado I noticed several things that really bothered me. There seemed to be something missing, but I just couldn't put my finger on it. I must have been distracted in seeing gang markings, or "Tags" scrawled on the sidewalks near the Freeway overpasses and in front of a few businesses. I had noted similar markings in places around the shops in central Los Angeles during the last series of riots and looting but I was more upset with the act of defacing the city than the potential threat of becoming a victim of some sort of criminal violence. It was about the time I got to The Norton Simon Museum when I realized what was bringing up these feelings that something was wrong... Something was missing from the scene this year.
There were no Grandstands for viewing the Tournament of Roses Parade set up along the length of Colorado Boulevard this year.
Yes. One of the most famous of all of Pasadena's annual events next to the college football game in the Rose Bowl was cancelled in concerns that the gathering of crowds to view the parade could become a "Super Spreader" event. Same thing for the Football game as well. Not to be outdone though, some supporters of Pasadena have continued the celebration by posting short videos which will be compiled together into a Televised special which will be broadcast in lieu of the Parade, New Year's Morning. There will still be celebrations to bring in the New Year, but they might be a little quieter, and far less crowded than before. It's been said that it might take up to four years until things return to "Normal", but We are adaptive, clever and resilient. The Better times will return, so be patient. It's going to take just a little while longer, so hang in there.
Be safe, stay well, and above all...
"Peace".
How did that old Joni Mitchell song go? ""Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?" Those lyrics seemed to be running through my head during one of my walks through downtown Pasadena recently. I took the bus to the big Target on Colorado Blvd. to do a little Holiday shopping, but I kept missing the busses heading back to Schirm's place, so I decided that walking would be faster than having to wait up to two hours for the return trip home. Since I was moving at a walking pace I could see things in better detail than I would see from the bus, and I noticed so many small shops and restaurants which were bustling with Holiday shoppers last year were now closed, dark and vacant. I had also forgotten about the recent restrictions on outdoor dining, so I had no place to sit down and enjoy a meal as I had been on the move all day and I needed something to tide me over until dinnertime. I ended up getting a couple Peanut Butter cups and a bottle of Diet Coke at the local Supermarket, and I made my way back towards the Rose Bowl, where I planned to enjoy my snack on the picnic benches in that area.
Walking West on Colorado I noticed several things that really bothered me. There seemed to be something missing, but I just couldn't put my finger on it. I must have been distracted in seeing gang markings, or "Tags" scrawled on the sidewalks near the Freeway overpasses and in front of a few businesses. I had noted similar markings in places around the shops in central Los Angeles during the last series of riots and looting but I was more upset with the act of defacing the city than the potential threat of becoming a victim of some sort of criminal violence. It was about the time I got to The Norton Simon Museum when I realized what was bringing up these feelings that something was wrong... Something was missing from the scene this year.
There were no Grandstands for viewing the Tournament of Roses Parade set up along the length of Colorado Boulevard this year.
Yes. One of the most famous of all of Pasadena's annual events next to the college football game in the Rose Bowl was cancelled in concerns that the gathering of crowds to view the parade could become a "Super Spreader" event. Same thing for the Football game as well. Not to be outdone though, some supporters of Pasadena have continued the celebration by posting short videos which will be compiled together into a Televised special which will be broadcast in lieu of the Parade, New Year's Morning. There will still be celebrations to bring in the New Year, but they might be a little quieter, and far less crowded than before. It's been said that it might take up to four years until things return to "Normal", but We are adaptive, clever and resilient. The Better times will return, so be patient. It's going to take just a little while longer, so hang in there.
Be safe, stay well, and above all...
"Peace".
https://www.washingtontimes.com/new.....ster-bail-fun/
In my house, everyone wants to talk politics, and I just want to Bake cookies and listen to my Xmas music. I'm tired of having to hide to avoid that topic of conversation, but there is my computer, and a few games I still am amused by.
City of Heroes
Well, it's going to be warm Xmas after all...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A15v4tTab0Y
there's SO many questions there...
Things are never going back to "normal" and the "new normal" is UNACCEPTABLE.
Remember as soon as we lose ANY right we NEVER get them back...remember airports...remember FREE SPEACH(sic)?
We line up like the north koreans and march by the missiles instead of the other way round...?
Sigh...
germany is locking up (or shutting down, depending on the view). a lot of things will become a nuisance now... and we find out that our leaders can "order" things to be done, but can't be bothered to see that things CAN get done at all...
maybe the new normal will include us germans looking into the people we're about to vote, and if they are only talkers, or can get shit done actually.
then again... what will be normal? as an old car commercial on TV here used to say, "Normal gibt's schon!" (there is already a normal), as in, "who wants normal? it's boring.
lives might become increasingly interesting.
Empty businesses seem to be abounding, even boarded up stores at the malls, both big and small. (goodbye Sears)
My big fuel is participating in charity events. Cancer and ALS walks, Make-A-Wish, SPCA and other such events I would participate in have been cancelled.
The winter grey doesn't seem to make things any better. It's sort of depressing, and the only bright lights are the temporary Christmas ones that adorn the houses in our neighborhoods. At least there seems to be more of them this year than last.
V.
But remember, Christmas is the Nativity of Jesus. Emperor Augustus, the most powerful man in the world was known as Deus Filii, "Son of God". When Jesus asked His disciples who they said He was, St. Peter replied, "Son of the Living God". The princes of this world and all their power will be all for naught.
Dominus tecum