Marriott or Tower of Terror?

What's up with the Marriott? The lighting of the Marriott is exactly like the night lighting of Disneyland's California Adventures "Tower of Terror" ride. The picture of the Marriott is not retouched at all. That's exactly how the hotel looks from the street. Creepy.

The Astro Weenie Christmas Tree, by Charles Phoenix

Charles Phoenix is known for his Americana, Vintage, Retro slideshows around Southern California. Charles grew up in Ontario, California. He used to visit thrift shops and one day stumbled apon a box of slides marked "Our Trip Across America, 1957". He was intrigued with all the everyday details of days long past. So he decided to start showing these slides in auditoriums and people were hooked on the nostalgic slides.

My family saw Charles a few years back when he was showing his "Disneyland from the 50's to 60's" slideshow at the Disney Theatre in Los Angelas. He still shows these from time to time. What the best part of these shows are Charles descriptions of the slides as he points out funny and quirky details in the photos. Like one picture showing the long gone Indian Village at Disneyland from 1960. There is a woman in the slide who is watching an Indian dance...while wearing curlers and a scarf with white cat rimmed sunglasses.

Keep an eye out for Charle's slideshows and his bus guided tour of Downtown "Disney" tour of Los Angeles. Tickets are $60 per person, space is limited and lunch is included. You won't be disappointed. Charles is great entertainment. Enjoy this clip of his step by step instructions to making the ultimate retro party hors devor; the Astro Weenie Christmas Tree.

Hey, I South Park'd Epic Beat and Myself!

Thanks Penny Lane!

Quick Before Sinking...Tonight at 7:00 PM

We'll be playing at Java Bliss tonight. Just some casual coffee music just to hang out with. Who knows, I might be in the mood to start playing some interpretive jazz on some songs. Bring your camera and blog about it.(LOL)

Another One Bites The Dust: Our City's Eminent Domain.

Yep, there goes the Car Audio Store next to the nice new parking lot on Merril. City muscled out many businesses in the name of progress and this was the last to go along the strip. Of course the Gay bar is still standing which has an outdated 70's "Loves Restaurant" architecture, but that's not an eyesore.;)


Similar businesses have fallen to the mighty tractor of progress, like this leveled corner market that has been there for years. Actually the market was taken out due to "the attraction of crime". Of course the crime was coming from this lovely property up the street.

So the crime is still there but the market isn't. Looks like the city got the information turned around the wrong way. There's a whole city block jammed with low income apartments along that street. A far worse eyesore than the Car Audio store.

Just my 2 cents about the whole thing. I think our town's new motto is, "We Want Your Business.....Literally."

Does Somebody Resemble A Certain "Rev" At The Grove?

Need a hint? Look at the gentleman at the far right. Look at the eyes. Do you see it?


My family and I were out of town while the polyurethane was drying on our new wood floors (24 dry time). So we went down to visit my wife's grandmother at Laguna Beach. Some might not know this but my wife's grandfather, Bill, was the brother to Pastor Tom's Dad. My wife has mentioned in a few sermons how there are certain expressions of Tom that remind her of her grandfather. Unfortunately I never got to meet my grandfather-in-law. I've heard some stories but I'm sure I'm not getting the full impression.

Anyway, I came across this picture of a wedding sometime in the 1930's. Ever see that round house up on top of Pachapa Drive (the mountain), Bill and Doris (wife's grandmother) used to live in that house during the 40's. I thought the family resemblance was remarkable.

Frozen In Time.

There have been about two occasions that I have caught my daughter on film right at the moment of pure, genuine joy. There was one when my daughter Libby was about 3 years old. It was her first time on the Autopia's at Disneyland. She got to be the one driving the car. I snapped a picture right at the moment her face showed this amazing smile. It was the exact moment of total enjoyment. That innocent child smile that gave you a glimpse of what her heart felt at that very moment.

Well, I can't find that one, but I also have this one from a few years back. Libby and her best friend were on this ride at Castle Park. This is another one of my favorite pictures of Libby. Even her friend's expression is priceless.

I'm planning on hanging a bunch of family pictures in our new addition hallway. This one will be blown up larger a and framed in black. I am so fortunate to have taken these pictures. This is why I've been taking my camera with me more often lately.

Favorite Artistic Videos (and one questionable one)

These are currently my favorite music videos. As always O.K. Go's "Do What You Want". is my number one favorite, as well as White Stripes "The Hardest Button to Button. But the one I can't figure out is The Foo Fighter's "The Pretender". I just don't get the point? See what I mean. Um, the White Stripes song is not the best in the world but I really like what they did for the video. Just think how many Fender Twin amps they needed just to shoot this.
O.K Go's "Do What You Want".

White Stripes "Hardest Button To Button"
Foo Fighters, "The Pretender" I love this song, but I don't get the video.

I Love Halloween In Our Neighborhood.

It's like a huge block party. The streets resemble Main Street at Disneyland right after a parade. Bands, spooky houses and lines up to door steps that look like you're waiting to board a ride attraction. Very fun.