I attended a very important Neighborhood Council meeting tonight. I will try to explain some of the issues going on in our neighborhood. Los Angeles is attempting to be very conducive to developers and in doing so, is trying to kill our Grid with bad decision-making.
I met a lot of neighbors. I spoke very briefly about some of the issues that concern us. A developer is building a 40 unit apartment complex and due to complete incompetence with the Department of Transportation, they are having all the traffic come down our small streets, streets so small that only one car can pass at a time on two streets. There are also 5 dead ends in the Grid.
This traffic should be going out onto Sherman Way, an 8-lane street instead. The complex HAD an address on this 8-lane street initially. The developers have now switched the address to ... not even a street. The dead end street they are trying to destroy is no bigger than a path. So of course it makes sense to divert traffic down our very limited streets.
As someone who has run a business in Los Angeles, I like the idea of a more business-friendly LA. But bad decision-making on a case by case basis is not "friendly" at all. Why has no one come into the neighborhood and driven around? Does a satellite photo show how much this alters our "grid"? This neighborhood is called a "pocket neighborhood," and was built in the 1950's with dead end streets and limited access. It helps make the place enclosed. So many people write about not knowing their neighbors. Well, I've known mine. They walk their dogs by my house. They say hi. Sure, sometimes they play the music too loud (and my one neighbor can't control his dogs, but that's a whole 'nuther blog) but we are close. We are the middle class of LA, and being made to feel like this city doesn't want us. They never let it be known this complex was going to be built. There were no public meetings about the impact this will have. They want the "empty" space to be filled with tax revenue-generating apartments. They wish to make it more difficult to live in this area by polluting our streets with un-necessary traffic.
Wendy Greuel is our representative, and she sent some woman from her office to the meeting. Several people addressed the young lady directly and it was not in friendly tones. We are not trying to stop the apartment building. We are trying to stop the traffic from making our neighborhood even more difficult with cars speeding through it. But our rep, Wendy, has not shown any desire to help us.
The Valley Glen Neighborhood Council passed a resolution to not support this ruling by the Dept. of Transportation. But we need our city representative to stand up and support us. Let's hope it happens.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
The Cooking Blog
I decided in the last month that I had to expand my repertoire of dishes and meals I can make. The diet I've been on (and off) is very limited. Mostly I've been making the same things my dietitian recommended eleven years ago. That's all well and good, but it's been boring.
So I asked a friend of mine to share some ingredients and recipes on some things he makes. He's a good chef. We were roommates years back, and we came to an agreement: split costs, he cooked, and I cleaned. It worked out well, but that was ... over fifteen years ago.
The last few weeks I've been trying out the recipes. I must say, I'm doing quite well, if I do say so myself. Made a variation of pasta carbonara tonight. Good stuff.
With spring and summer coming up, I shall be doing more grilling. Chicken, hot links, grilled onions, etc. Any suggestions? Have a twist on a recipe that you wish to share? Please do.
So I asked a friend of mine to share some ingredients and recipes on some things he makes. He's a good chef. We were roommates years back, and we came to an agreement: split costs, he cooked, and I cleaned. It worked out well, but that was ... over fifteen years ago.
The last few weeks I've been trying out the recipes. I must say, I'm doing quite well, if I do say so myself. Made a variation of pasta carbonara tonight. Good stuff.
With spring and summer coming up, I shall be doing more grilling. Chicken, hot links, grilled onions, etc. Any suggestions? Have a twist on a recipe that you wish to share? Please do.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
The Overdue Blog
I saw some bloggers had this going today, and since I've fallen so far off-pace, thought I'd jump-start the writing part of my brain again. I think I've told 12 people about the blog, but haven't posted much since. How dare I let down these 12 people?
Name one thing you do every day:
Well, of course I brush my teeth every day. But the one thing that helps me get motivated is to take a shower. It's the one thing that wakes me up, and makes me feel normal. Some people have coffee in the morning, I need a shower.
Name five things/people that make you feel good:
I like talking to my sister and giving her general crap. That's what being an older brother is all about, right?
Random naps on weekend afternoons. Very rare.
Seeing a really good movie. (This sometimes is rare too.)
Swimming in my pool. Well, to be accurate, floating around on a tube, shades on, reading a book or magazine in the pool. One of the things about SoCal I can indulge in.
Hitting a fastball on the sweet spot and driving the ball a long way. Or, at least, into the netting, visualizing the flight of the ball and imaging I'm in Fenway.
Name four things you love to eat but rarely do:
Chocolate cake
Chocolate milk
Popcorn
Hot dogs
(Chocolate related items- such is life on a diet.)
Name three things that remind you of childhood:
Christmas decorations. Putting things around my house in December always makes me think of growing up.
Cigar smoke. Back in the 70's men could smoke in ballparks. I always think of baseball and being a kid when I smell cigar smoke.
Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. My Mom had the ability to make cookies and have them cooling when we walked in the door.
Name two things you wish you could learn:
How to draw. Actually, I can do stick figures, so... How to draw well.
How to woo women. You know, so I can get the chicks. In truckloads.
Okay! Will try to be better at posting new blogs soon.
Name one thing you do every day:
Well, of course I brush my teeth every day. But the one thing that helps me get motivated is to take a shower. It's the one thing that wakes me up, and makes me feel normal. Some people have coffee in the morning, I need a shower.
Name five things/people that make you feel good:
I like talking to my sister and giving her general crap. That's what being an older brother is all about, right?
Random naps on weekend afternoons. Very rare.
Seeing a really good movie. (This sometimes is rare too.)
Swimming in my pool. Well, to be accurate, floating around on a tube, shades on, reading a book or magazine in the pool. One of the things about SoCal I can indulge in.
Hitting a fastball on the sweet spot and driving the ball a long way. Or, at least, into the netting, visualizing the flight of the ball and imaging I'm in Fenway.
Name four things you love to eat but rarely do:
Chocolate cake
Chocolate milk
Popcorn
Hot dogs
(Chocolate related items- such is life on a diet.)
Name three things that remind you of childhood:
Christmas decorations. Putting things around my house in December always makes me think of growing up.
Cigar smoke. Back in the 70's men could smoke in ballparks. I always think of baseball and being a kid when I smell cigar smoke.
Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. My Mom had the ability to make cookies and have them cooling when we walked in the door.
Name two things you wish you could learn:
How to draw. Actually, I can do stick figures, so... How to draw well.
How to woo women. You know, so I can get the chicks. In truckloads.
Okay! Will try to be better at posting new blogs soon.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Belated Blog
I've been busy with work, and struggling with words the last few days.
I urge everyone to read this essay/ article/ blog.
The 18 year plan - To An Athlete Dying Young.
My sympathies to the family of Jamiel Andre Shaw II.
I urge everyone to read this essay/ article/ blog.
The 18 year plan - To An Athlete Dying Young.
My sympathies to the family of Jamiel Andre Shaw II.
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Time Change Blog
Skipping from 2am Sunday to 3am Sunday sure did mess with my day on Monday.
I was busy at the end of the day with work related things. Instead of it getting dark around 6pm, I just plowed right thru and worked til around 7pm. When I realized the time, I was all discombobulated. 7pm! When I'm not too crazy with work, that's usually when I try to be
ready to work out on my bike. It just so happens to correspond with the time when Jeopardy! comes on locally. It's easy to watch: questions flashing on a big blue screen, and when you work out and have iPod earplugs in, the visuals and my brain's processing can concentrate on something other than how freaking long I have to go to meet my goals on the bike.
So, 'round 7:15 or so, I look up at the clock, and then look outside. What the frack? I should be working out! I'm missing Jeopardy people!!!! Jeopardy! (and for anyone who watches, what happened to Alex's hand? It's all bandaged up. He shakes hands like Bob Dole now.)
Don't get me wrong- I have to work late some times, I miss my workout now and then. But the daylight threw me off. I generally like the idea of "daylight savings." I like when it's sunny so I can do things after work. I just wasn't ready for it today. Now I have to keep an eye out on the sun- fool me once, shame on me. Don't be fooling me anymore!
PS- The Space Shuttle launches tonight at 11:30pm Pacific Time. How do they determine that time frame for launch? Does it reduce the chance of foam hitting the shuttle on lift-off if they ignite the burners at 2:30am in Florida? I almost hope there's a bunch of letters to the editor around Cape Canaveral about people who wake up when the shuttle's sonic booms hit in the middle of the night.
I was busy at the end of the day with work related things. Instead of it getting dark around 6pm, I just plowed right thru and worked til around 7pm. When I realized the time, I was all discombobulated. 7pm! When I'm not too crazy with work, that's usually when I try to be
ready to work out on my bike. It just so happens to correspond with the time when Jeopardy! comes on locally. It's easy to watch: questions flashing on a big blue screen, and when you work out and have iPod earplugs in, the visuals and my brain's processing can concentrate on something other than how freaking long I have to go to meet my goals on the bike.
So, 'round 7:15 or so, I look up at the clock, and then look outside. What the frack? I should be working out! I'm missing Jeopardy people!!!! Jeopardy! (and for anyone who watches, what happened to Alex's hand? It's all bandaged up. He shakes hands like Bob Dole now.)
Don't get me wrong- I have to work late some times, I miss my workout now and then. But the daylight threw me off. I generally like the idea of "daylight savings." I like when it's sunny so I can do things after work. I just wasn't ready for it today. Now I have to keep an eye out on the sun- fool me once, shame on me. Don't be fooling me anymore!
PS- The Space Shuttle launches tonight at 11:30pm Pacific Time. How do they determine that time frame for launch? Does it reduce the chance of foam hitting the shuttle on lift-off if they ignite the burners at 2:30am in Florida? I almost hope there's a bunch of letters to the editor around Cape Canaveral about people who wake up when the shuttle's sonic booms hit in the middle of the night.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
The Questionable Blog
Hey! I found the cd that I was looking for yesterday. Of course, I had put the actual cd in a different case, not the original one. It's always something.
Now, to try a lazy oft-used convention that I've seen sportswriters use, I hereby list various questions that you, the elusive blog-readers of the world, can perhaps answer for me:
Where should I go on vacation?
Who is your favorite South Park character? I think mine is Butters!
If you theoretically did something bad, like felony-bad, and a police officer finds your car and follows you- would you continue the police car chase for hours or pull over? Have you figured out the odds already, just in case this happens and you have a mental game plan worked out?
Who are these girls "who go wild"? Does anyone out there know them? They're from another planet, right? Do their parents and siblings disown them for appearing in Girls Gone Wild?
Do I look fat in this shirt?
Now, to try a lazy oft-used convention that I've seen sportswriters use, I hereby list various questions that you, the elusive blog-readers of the world, can perhaps answer for me:
Where should I go on vacation?
Who is your favorite South Park character? I think mine is Butters!
If you theoretically did something bad, like felony-bad, and a police officer finds your car and follows you- would you continue the police car chase for hours or pull over? Have you figured out the odds already, just in case this happens and you have a mental game plan worked out?
Who are these girls "who go wild"? Does anyone out there know them? They're from another planet, right? Do their parents and siblings disown them for appearing in Girls Gone Wild?
Do I look fat in this shirt?
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Saturday Blog
Going out to see The Cherry Bluestorms tonight. I like "Just a Kiss Away" and other stuff from their cd Transit of Venus.
I was just on my iTunes, listening to a live version of a song, and went looking for the cd version that I like too. Found the studio version, and was tempted to buy the song, but before hitting the "buy now" button, it dawned on me that I already own the cd. The question of course- where is that cd? Why didn't I digitize it into my iPod?
Since I bought the iPod, I've had this issue a few times. "Don't I own this already?" Much like mis-matched socks because they get lost in the laundry, I swear my house has stolen a few cds from me.
"Come out, come out wherever you are!"
I was just on my iTunes, listening to a live version of a song, and went looking for the cd version that I like too. Found the studio version, and was tempted to buy the song, but before hitting the "buy now" button, it dawned on me that I already own the cd. The question of course- where is that cd? Why didn't I digitize it into my iPod?
Since I bought the iPod, I've had this issue a few times. "Don't I own this already?" Much like mis-matched socks because they get lost in the laundry, I swear my house has stolen a few cds from me.
"Come out, come out wherever you are!"
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