when ... The Pilgrims Came

In 1991, pilgrims came to Bellflower, California and told their story. This is the recorded version of what really happened when the Original Pilgrams Came.

Click the picture to watch this entire video - it is 13 minutes long.

Public Art (?)

One would wonder what precicely defines art. The newest craze in art appears to be living human figures posing for the public. It is called a "Mob Freeze" and people all over the world are doing it.

Ok, you all thought I was weird. Michelle and William have topped me this time.

How it works is, everyone makes a 'date' to do the freeze in a particular location. They converse about this in a number of ways, including Facebook, text messaging and phones. There is NO signal at the 'freeze' location other than someone in the mob who just 'freezes' then everyone else follows suit. They stand completely still for 3 minutes.

If you look closely at this video (even pause it) you can make out Michelle and William. At about 5 seconds you will start to see someone holding a pink and while umbrella - that is Michelle. Next to her a little ways off (on the steps) is a tall person with a beanie pulled down over his face. You are correct to guess that is our nerdy William. I have a feeling that they both had a lot of fun doing this; so are thousands of people around the world. I just read about another one in Beirut and Michelle says there is one in New York.

Bedtime entertainment

Dad rolled over about 2 am, with a soft green light shining in his eyes.

"What are you doing?" he mumbled, as he pulled his pillow over his head.

"I can't sleep. So I'm playing a game."

He groaned. "You are SO weird."

Ok, so I like Klondike and Yukon. So what?

Dad reminded me that I hadn't posted anything in a while. It isn't much, but at least it tells you what I am doing at the moment.

Oh yeah, I am in CA right now. Guess you figured that out.

the Irish have it

The sky's the limit in Dublin, Ohio. It was fun spending a few days with Luke, Katie and Stevie over the weekend.

I learned a little about Dublin. It's not just the neighborhoods I like, but community life. Homes and even apartment buildings are really attractive. Stevie's is nice, and within walking distance of all sorts of food places and shops.

There is a river running right through the city, with a lovely drive. The trees were all shedding leaves, and you could see the water. In the spring where I was there, we got to see the canoe races. Bike paths are everyplace, and people care about fitness; they actually use the bike paths regularly.

Dublin has an annual Irish Festival so large, the grass dies from so much foot traffic. It's about 2 blocks from Luke's house. All the man hole covers have shamrocks on them. Each year, there is an award ceremony where they honor people nominated as Grand Leprechaun. It's quite amusing. On St. Patrick's day they have this huge parade; there is already a complete plan for the one in 2009. I thought this town was Irish, but it doesn't even compare to Dublin. They even have the 2009 Irish Festival all planned for August, 2009. I want to go.

Stevie's place of employment, Jason's Restaurant and Bar, is right in the middle of town, with all these little shops everyplace. It's so cute. Dad and I had a really good time this weekend, I think he liked it, too. Plus, he got to go with Luke when he bought the new bike; letting Katie off the hook.

Having family around has it's benefits, sometimes.

Luke's new toy

A Honda Shadow, 2004

Ladybug, Ladybug

Ladybug, Ladybug
Get out of my home
This place is for me,
You need to be gone.

If you come in my house
You'll meet a harsh end
I really don't care
If you're a farmer's best friend.
--------

In case you are confused, I have a ladybug infestation. Thousands of them are swarming the west side of the house, squeezing through cracks and getting into the light fixtures.

I went outside to see if I could stop their entrance. They got all over me; in my hair, up my nose, in my clothes. I got fed up. I got out the Diazinon and sprayed the west side of the house down, hoping to kill them. Somehow, they are still getting in.

This is not my own photo, but I will get one later. This is one I found on Flickr. Apparently I am not the only one having this problem.

The original Ladybug nursery rhyme