More stories from Costa Rica!

Costa Rica trip more….

Thinking back on some stuff we did that I forgot to mention. There is a restaurant call “Trio” in Monteverde. The food there is EXCELLENT, great steaks and veggies. The owner must be an experienced chef and the food was nothing like any other restaurants here. It’s right when you pull into Monteverde on the left hand side… before the super market.

While in La Fortuna, Arenal make sure you stop by the Lava Lounge Bar ‘n Grill owned by Mr. Scott Bradley… we found out he is a local from Santa Monica! He was very kind in coming up to our table to chat with us. He also helps stray dogs (which are many) by feeding them and taking them off the streets in La Fortuna. Good guy. The food at Lava Lounge is excellent. Good variety and tasty. Anything from salads to steaks, even spicy tuna rolls.

The owner of the Cabinas Las Palmas is Francklin Valerio (I spelled Francklin right that is the way he spells it). These guys know their stuff and the area well as they are locals. They can tell you the history of this area and when using them, as tour guides will go the extra mile to make sure you enjoy the sites.

Soon it was time to say good-bye to our new friends Marthe Fischera and her boy friend Henning, meeting nice people such as these two make any journey away from home nice. We got in our shuttle and headed to Montezuma. The cost was the same $39.00 each person which included the ferry across to Montezuma. The ferry was packed but comfortable. While we were onboard Ronn Savala ran into our friends from Monteverde, Ziggy and her traveling mate. Small worlds when you’re traveling.

Once on shore in Montezuma it was time to find a hotel. Before we left Marthe and Henning suggested the hostel Pargo Feliz that is on the beach. We checked it out but they only had a bottom room left and it was way too small for 3 of use, so walked up the street and sat in a Café that had the internet so we could find another. Ronn had ventured up the street and came back with good news… nice hotel just stones throw! The Luz de Mono Hotel. This hotel was $70.00 per nite for 3 people and had hot water. Oh joy!~ The room was EXCELLENT and the stay include breakfast. Most of the hotels in Costa Rica provide breakfast, which is nice, as you want to start your day with food in your stomach. And the food is good, not donuts, cereal or those packaged tarts they give you in the U.S., but rather a good choice, which always includes their traditional rice and beans.

There is not a whole lot to do in Montezuma itself unless you like surfing. There are tours that take you to various places but we were really tired and just wanted to relax… so we did. Took a short walk on the beach, Ronn ventured 10 minutes down the beach to the resort Lang Lang (I think that is how you spell it). He said it was very nice. A bit more expensive but lots more relaxing things to do there. This small town by the beach is pretty much like being at home and visiting Venice Beach. There are lots of hippies and Rasta’s. EVERY place you hear Bob Marley! Its nice that they love his music so much, but 24/7 gets pretty boring. I wondered why they weren’t playing the native Costa Rican music, would be nice so those that are visiting will learn the sounds of the native. But Bob Marley it was so is it.

Aside from hippies and Rasta’s we saw a lot of critters, monkey’s, geckos, Iguanas, and various birds… one in particular that loved attacking people as they ate their breakfast. I think it’s called a TOUCANCILLO. Bluish bird with a pretty head but very aggressive when it wants your food! There was a couple sitting by us eating, the man had shaved head, I guess the bird thought it was a coconut as it kept landing on his head and trying to peck at it!!!! It eventually gave up… so did the man trying to eat. At some point the Toucancillo landed on Ronn Savala and started to peck and pull his hair! Ouch! Poor Ronn!

Our stay in Montezuma was only 2 days. The second day we booked a speedboat to take us from Montezuma to Jaco where we would take a shuttle down to Antonio Manuel. The packaged cost us about $72.00 per person. This was (once again) well worth it, as we didn’t have to take the public bus and is much faster. The trip didn’t get off as expected though. We all wrapped our stuff in plastic bags so they won’t get wet and hopped aboard ready for the trip. About 10 mins into the voyage another boat flagged our ship down… it was the Costa Rican Coast Guard! They pulled along side of us and started talking to the operator of the boat. Basically he was being sited for not having a number on the boat but soon came other citations such as him not make us wear life jackets amongst other stuff. It was a long wait while this guy was citing him and the smoke from the Coast Guard exhaust started making us sick! Thankfully I didn’t barf but wanted to several times! The sun was blaring down and when we put on our life jackets it got even hotter! There were three others on the boat, a young local woman and two French Canadian women. The Coast Guard asked us our Nationality and if we wanted to driver to follow him towards the North or have him take us back… we all said BACK.

When we got back to shore we were told that another boat would pick us up in 25 minutes… it was more like 2 hours and 25 mins! But the wait was fun. We sat on the beach in front of a local bar/hotel and drank some beers… the two French Canadian ladies made us laugh as they started to sing the theme from Gillian’s Island! We happily joined in. Finally the replacement boat came and we all boarded. This boat was a little bigger and went MUCH faster. Mainly because they were behind schedule and a rainstorm was catching up with us. The ride was really fast and bumpy. Sometimes harsh on one’s back. About 45 minutes later we landed in Jaco.

Our crew helped us to shore and gave us our luggage still wrapped in plastic bags. We left it in the plastic until we boarded our shuttle as the sand was not really clean and there was dogs taking dumps and peeing everywhere. It was amazing to see all these people lying around and dogs doing their thing right next to them! Icky. Locals in the other places we visited told us the Jaco was no a pretty place. Mainly tourist, Casinos, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Mc Donald’s, Ladies of the nite (which is legal in Costa Rica) and some pretty interesting characters. It looked nice but nothing at all like the rest of the places we have been. A place I guess that people go for drinking and picking up the ladies of the nite.

The shuttle ride to Antonio Manuel was nice. Lots of green all around you and a smooth road. We were actually 3 days early arriving and the condo we rented (Casa Azul) was not yet ready. We found online a nice place called Hotel Flor Blanca, a moderate hotel on the main drag and were $55.00 for a room with private bathroom/shower with 3 beds. This included breakfast. We stayed there 2 days as we got a hold of the condo owner and made arrangements to stay at the condo 2 extra days. Ironically we found while sitting at poolside at Hotel Flor Blanca, that our condo was right behind us on the hill behind the hotel!!!!!! That was pretty good luck!

OK more soon, time to enjoy the sun and then head down to the beach!

Costa Rica... A trip of a trip

It’s day 9 of our 15-day adventure to Costa Rica.  I must say so far the first part was pretty much the most fun.  We started our vacation by realizing the Ronn’s passport was under his DBA name and not this birth name…. I realized that the day before we were leaving and then ALL of us realized that we were leaving on MONDAY morning at 12:40 a.m. NOT Monday!  Sounds crazy, well we thought we were leaving on Monday and then realized it was Sunday nite forgetting that the day changes after midnite! Boy what a start.  We landed in San Jose (that was an adventure within itself!).  At first they were not going to let Ronn in Costa Rica as they said he had no return ticket back.  That was not true and thanks the powers that be I had the itinerary to prove he did.  So we got passed that.  We then too a taxi to the bus stop in downtown San Jose to purchase a bus ticket to Monteverdi (that cost us a whole $5.00 bucks each).  The bus did not leave until 2:30 p.m. and it was about 10:00 a.m. so we decided to talk a walk down beautiful San Jose.  Well much to my surprise the part that we were walking down was a little shabby and much like being on skid row.  But once we found the center of town it was pretty nice.  We found a little place to have a bit to eat and a beer.  We then ventured back to where our bus was to take off.

At first the thought that we saved so much money taking the local bus up to Monteverde was the bargain of the century… how cheap! But as the bus headed outside of San Jose the roads became more rural and a lot rougher! Along with way the bus driver would stop every now and then a pick up someone that was selling food or drinks then let them off a few stops down.  As we got more into the country part of the trip the stops were less and the roads narrower.  Then it got dark and pretty intense as the winding road to Monteverde barely enough room for the big bus let alone the cars coming from opposite direction to pass.  Well 6 hours later came rolling into town.  When the bus stopped and let us off and local was there offering $10.00 a nite hotel stays!  We were all tired and at first the idea sounded good but then our heads where placed back on us and we decided to check it out first.  It was a Hostel and actually VERY nice!  The name of this place is “The Tucan” and for $10.00 each we got a huge room with 4 beds and the restroom right next to it.  After putting our stuff in the room we went to eat dinner at a very nice joint called “The Tree House” where the is an actual tree growing out of the place!  The food was very nice and inexpensive. Soon we were settled for the nite and happy to lay our heads down on a nice soft bed.

The next morning we took a walk (which is not far as the town is pretty small) and decided to spend one more nite so we can take the canopy walk which was $25.00 each (that included the ride up to the site).  I wished we had done the zip line but next time.  The canopy walk was very nice and the sites were so amazing.  If you do this you will get wet and it will rain so come prepared! 

We soon headed back to our bargain hostel were we met some really fun people.  I don’t remember all their names but Ziggy (nice German girl) and Mark E. Russell (nice British chap) I do remember.  Ziggy and her girl friend (both in their early 20’s) were finishing up a school project, which they were traveling for 6 months through South America.  Mark had just sold his home and decided to see the world with his earnings…. A brave man and I tip my hat off to him.  There was a young man from Israel who also was traveling through Costa Rica.  We all shared a beer or two and since I had my wonderful laptop I showed the German girls some HEDWIG from you tube… I don’t know if they got it but I tried to explain it to them the best I could.

So day three and we are off to our next venture…. The Arenal Volcano.  The guys at the Tucan gave us a package deal for that part of the trip.  For $89.00 you got the jeep-boat-jeep deal!  Which is a ride to the lake, a boat trip across the lake and then a jeep ride to La Fortuna (the jeep is actually a shuttle van) and to top it off this included the hotel for the nite AND a day at the hot springs and a volcano hike!!!!   This took about 3 hours.

When we got to the hotel Cabina Las Palmas, we were amazed that the hotel was actually new had a nice big room with a private bathroom.  Our host at the hotel was also our tour guide for the rest of the day.  He gave us the option of going at 1:00 p.m. to the hot springs then at 3:00 they would pick us up and take us to the volcano walk and then back to the springs… OR leave at 3:00 to the volcano then to the springs where we would stay for about 4 hours and that included dinner!  Well of course we choose the latter. 

We met some really nice couple at the Cabinas Las Palmas, Henning and Marthe, two Bulgarians backpacking it through Costa Rica for the Holiday.  We had a most enjoyable time with them as they were on our same tour for this part of our trip.  The volcano hike was great.  It was very humid and wet but still very nice.  We hiked down to a waterfall.  Along with way our tour guide explained many things about the nature here and what kinda wild life was in this part of the rain forest.  He also showed us craters where the past eruptions had thrown large parts of earth to the ground thus leaving its mark forever in the ground below. 

As we finished are hike to the waterfall we stopped at the volcano observatory to rest and kicked back to view the Arenal volcano itself hoping to see some lava flow (as it is still active) but nothing… less the moon rising was beautiful.  We then headed to the springs for a long evening of some good food and lots of soaking in hot water!

Once inside the springs we found there was all kinds of unusual pools to try and even some pretty crazy sides.  I went down the 2^nd scariest, it was a long twisted tunnel of pouring water that shoots you out on the other end like a flying rocket!  I then thought that since that was not so hard to try the not so hard one (which was just a slide without the enclosure) that was a mistake!  I was doing fine until the last drop…. It spit you out into the water but what I was not aware of was the force of the entry into the water, I had my arms spread and because of that it when I hit the water, it felt like my arms were being torn off!!!!!!  It still hurts this being the 9^th day!

More soon I am tired and ready to hit the hay!

Life in the FAST LANE! Catching up!

Well it’s been awhile (AGAIN!) but here I am ready to post some new and exciting stuff for all you cyber groupies!

There have been several events in which Ronn and I had attended, most recently Plaza Community Services annual fundraiser this year once again at Union Station, Los Angeles, CA. This years honorees were Monica Garcia, President Los Angeles School Board and Frank J. Quevedo, retired VP Equal Opportunity, Southern California Edison. Cecilia Mercado once again did a FANTASTIC job coordinating the event (with the always watchful eye of Gabriel Buelna) and her hard work showed as the event was a success! It was nice go see my very best GIRL friend, Celina Meza and her handsome husband Lucio that nite, we just don’t get to see enough of those two. This evening also was my first attempt at putting together a video where I NARRATED… I guess my funny voice isn’t that bad! Please visit plazacs.org and make a donation to a wonderful organization!



The gang having a great time!



The table settings were fabuloso!



Mr. Ronn Savala and our friends Diane and Henry Yuen



Buena Vista Furniture's Ruthie & Joseph Torre... aren't they a handssome couple!



Ms. Monica Garcia and friends



Piliar Buelna and Xavier having a good time!



Some other friends we don't get to see enough of... Willie and Rosanna Perez-Trivino and mama



ITALIAN HALL FOUNDATION

Ronn and I went up to Sacramento to take down/pack up the exhibit for the Italian Hall Foundation, which is scheduled to be displayed in San Pedro, CA during the month of December. It’s a great bit of Italian American history so as soon as I get the official info I will post and alert all! And once again if you’d like to make a contribution to another great organization please visit ItalianHall.org


PROYECTO PASTORAL

Proyecto Pastoral is doing this a little differently this year with their fundraiser… it’s a luncheon! Fatima A. Djelmane and the gang over at Proyecto promise it will be nice afternoon with special guest Fr. Gregory Boyle! Visit Proyecto for more info.

2010 NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH - FEBRUARY

We have new posters up at Diversity Graphics for 2010. The theme for National Black History Month 2010 is "The History of Black Economic Empowerment". The question: Who is an Economic leader? A person who makes choices that lead to changes in the kinds of opportunities people have. Our poster was designed to list a few of the many Black Americans who have changed economics through leadership, invention, performance, and many other forms... bringing change and opportunities to all Americans. To name a few: PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SHIRLEY ANITA ST. HILL CHISHOLM, ROSA PARKS, PRINCE, FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER, ERWIN MAGIC JOHNSON, GENERAL COLIN POWELL, JACKIE ROBINSON, LENA HORNE, REV. JESSIE JACKSON, OPRAH WINFREY, ELIZABETH “BESSIE” COLEMAN, ROBERT L. JOHNSON, GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER, MADAM C.J. WALKER, DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., SOROR CORETTA SCOTT KING, MAYA ANGELOU, ELLA FITZGERALD, VENUS AND SERENA WILLIAMS, MICHAEL JORDAN, BILLIE HOLIDAY, RUSSELL SIMMONS, JOHN JOHNSON, JOSEPINE BAKER, BERRY GORDY, JR., FREDERICK DOUGLASS, MUHAMMAD ALI, TIGER WOODS, MARIAN ANDERSON, WILLIAM EDWARD DUBOIS, SIDNEY POITER, DANIEL “CHAPPIE” JAMES, JR., MICHAEL JACKSON, EDUCATORS, PARENTS, AND THE LIST GOES ON…



2010 National Black History Month Poster

2010 NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH - MARCH

2010 marks the 30th Anniversary of Women’s History Month. The theme for this historic celebration is “Writing Women Back into History”. Not that they ever left but we want to recognize many who left their impact in the last 30 years.

Here is our historical list:
1980: President Jimmy Carter issued a Presidential Message to the American people, encouraging the recognition and celebration of women’s historic accomplishments during the week of March 8th, Women’s History Week • New guidelines from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission prohibit sexual harassment. 1981: Sandra Day O’Connor is named the first woman justice of the Supreme Court • Los Angeles based all girl band the “Go-Go’s” became the first girl band that played their instruments to have a Number 1 Record. 1982: Only three states short of ratification, the ERA expires. 1983: Sally Ride becomes the first U.S. woman in space. • The Color Purple, a novel by Alice Walker published in 1982, won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, making Alice Walker the first African American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction • Toni Morrison became the first African American winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. 1984: Geraldine Ferraro becomes the first woman nominated by a major political party to run for vice president of the United States. • Leontine T. C. Kelly became the first woman bishop of any major American religious denomination, the United Methodist Church • Vanessa Williams became first African American selected as Miss America; when she resigned after a scandal, Suzette Charles, Miss New Jersey, became the second African American Miss America. 1986: The space shuttle Challenger explodes, killing seven crew members including teacher Christa McAuliffe • Willie B. Barrow became President of Operation PUSH • Ella Baker died (civil rights activist). 1987: Carrie Saxon Perry, elected mayor of Hartford, Connecticut, becoming the first African American woman mayor of a large American city. 1988: Florence Griffith Joyner sets a world record in the 200-meter sprint at the Olympics. 1989: Oprah Winfrey, first African American woman to host a nationally-syndicated talk show, founded Harpo Productions to produce television shows and movies • (January 29) Barbara Harris elected first woman bishop of the Episcopal Church. 1990: Sharon Pratt Kelly elected mayor of Washington, DC, the first African American mayor of a major American city • Roselyn Payne Epps became the first woman president of the American Medical Association • Debbye Turner became third African American Miss America • Sarah Vaughan died (singer). 1991: The U.S. Department of Labor establishes the Glass Ceiling Commission to eliminate the barriers that block qualified women from advancements in the workplace • Clarence Thomas nominated for a seat on the US Supreme Court; Anita Hill, who had worked for Thomas in the federal government, testified about repeated sexual harassment, bringing the issue of sexual harassment to public attention (Thomas was confirmed as Justice) • Marjorie Vincent became fourth African American Miss America. 1992: The 1992 election doubles the percentage of women in Congress; as a result, 1992 is dubbed the Year of the Woman • (August 3) Jackie Joyner-Kersee became the first woman to win two Olympic heptathlons • (September 12) Mae Jemison, astronaut, became the first African American woman in space • (November 3) Carol Moseley Braun elected to the US Senate, the first African American woman to hold that office. 1993: Young girls are introduced to the workplace as the Ms. Foundation for Women launches its first annual Take Our Daughters to Work Day • The Vietnam Women’s Memorial is erected in Washington, D.C. • Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Attorney General Janet Reno are appointed • Rita Dove became the first African American poet laureate • (September 7) Joycelyn Elders became the first African American and first woman US Surgeon General. 1994: The Violence Against Women Act is passed to combat gender-based violent crimes • Kimberly Aiken became fifth African American Miss America. 1995: (June 12) Supreme Court, in Adarand v. Pena, called for “strict scrutiny” before establishing any federal affirmative action requirements • Ruth J. Simmons installed as president of Smith College in 1995. becoming the first African American president of one of the “Seven Sisters”. 1997: Madeleine Albright is confirmed as the first woman U.S. secretary of state. • U.S. Army General Claudia Kennedy becomes the first woman three-star general. • The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) debuts. • (June 23) Betty Shabazz, widow of Malcolm X, died of burns sustained in a June 1 fire in her home. 1998: • DNA evidence was used to test the theory that Thomas Jefferson fathered the children of his slave, Sally Hemings -- most concluded that the DNA and other evidence confirmed the theory. • (September 21) track and field great Florence Griffith Joyner died (athlete; first African American to win four medals in one Olympics; sister-in-law of Jackie Joyner-Kersee). 2000: (July) Venus Williams became the first African American to win the women’s title at Wimbledon since Althea Gibson (1957-58) • Condoleezza Rice named as the next Secretary of State, the first African American woman to hold that position 2001: • Arkansas named a state holiday for Daisy Bates, the first state to name a holiday for an African American woman • Ruth Simmons, Brown University, became the first African American president of an Ivy League university. 2002: (March 24) Halle Berry became the first African American to win the Best Actress Oscar • (May 22) Bobby Frank Cherry found guilty of murder in the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham which killed four African American girls, ages 11-14. 2003: (January) bus, made famous by Rosa Parks’s refusal to give up her seat, added to exhibit at Henry Ford Museum, Michigan • (June 23) Supreme Court upheld affirmative action used in university admissions • (September) Carol Moseley Braun announced her candidacy for US president, the second African American woman to run for that office. 2004: (January 14) Carol Moseley Braun dropped her race for the US presidency. 2008: Sarah Palin Makes History as First Female Vice Presidential Nominee of Republican Party • Millions of Americans have voted for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton for President of the United States...more than for any other woman primary candidate in history. 2009: Senate Votes 68 to 31 to Confirm Sonia Sotomayor to Supreme Court making her the first Latina/Latino to serve on the US Supreme Court.



2010 National Women's History Month Poster

Well that's it for now, I guess it was a eye full!

Peace to everyone.

Congratulations to our Rachel Braver of GLAD!

Council District 14 resident/businesswoman received honor at Women in Business Awards luncheon- Oct. 2nd


GLAD’s Director of Public Relations received the prestigious Outstanding Non-Profit Employee Award



Los Angeles, October 9, 2009: Rachel Braver, Director of Public Relations for the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc. more commonly known as GLAD, received the prestigious Outstanding Non Profit Employee Award appointed by the California State Legislator last week at the Women in Business Awards luncheon. State Senator Carol Liu (D-La Cañada Flintridge), Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank) and Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) honored Braver and 24 other exceptional businesswomen at the 10th Annual Women in Business Legislative Update and Awards Luncheon on Oct. 2, 2009, at the Pasadena Hilton.




Braver is committed to ensuring equal access of the deaf and hard of hearing community to the same opportunities afforded their hearing counterparts. With purpose directed around the social, recreational, cultural, educational, and vocational well-being of GLAD’s deaf and hard of hearing consumers, Braver handles public affairs, donor relations, promotions and marketing for this social service agency. (www.gladinc.org) She oversees the implementation of booths, exhibits, community events and fundraisers; provides sensitivity trainings, produces agency-wide printed materials with a universal positive image and serves as a community liaison with community leaders, corporate sponsors, organizations and media representatives. Her bold efforts continue to bridge the gap between deaf and hearing worlds.



A certified sign language interpreter by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD IV), her professional/personal affiliations include: Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), Southern California chapter (SCRID), Perinatal Foundation for the Deaf (www.perinatalfoundationdeaf.org), and Sign World TV (www.signworldtv.com). She is actively involved in the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce, Jewish Big Brother/Big Sisters program and Center for the Arts Eagle Rock. Braver and childhood friend are developing an affirmation t-shirt line for women who desire to inspire (www.thebeewear.com). Braver enjoys singing duets with dad, shopping for greeting cards with mom, participating in walk-a-thons for various causes close to her heart, traveling the world and salsa dancing the night away.



Each year, the Women in Business Awards recognize businesswomen who have contributed to the economic growth and well-being of Southern California. These women exemplify the broad range of accomplishments that women have achieved in our communities. Braver extends warm thanks to Renee Dominique (Center for the Arts), Jim Omahen (Councilmember Jose Huizar’s District Office), Linda Allen (ERCPR), Denise Miller (Glendale Adventist Medical Center) and Mark Martinez (Diversity Graphics) for nominating her for this honor.



The Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc. (www.gladinc.org) has been improving the lives of the deaf and hard of hearing since its establishment as a volunteer organization in 1969. Founded on the philosophy…”of, by, for and with the deaf and hard of hearing”, GLAD’s Deaf Community Center encompasses a wide array of specialized health and human service programs for the deaf and hard of hearing community.


Photo credit- Richshell Allen (Braver w/ parents, ILY photo and Rachel B.)

A peaceful Sunday

Well it's Sunday. Had a pretty good weekend. Started Friday nite.

Friday evening we had the honoring of having Heidi Galli, Shelia, Karla, Danny and his wife over for dinner here in Eagle Rock. These friends go way back. I met them in 1976 before summer as I was still in High School when I first started going to the Sugar Shack (a teenage night club in North Hollywood, CA). You had to be fewer than 21 to get in, but of course there were those perverts that looked younger than they were. I didn’t realize this until I was much older. Older pervs, Guys who preyed on young meat and flesh. I think I was a bit odd for them, as they never bothered me. I think at that time they were chicken hawken’ for young blonde boys with blue eyes. I remember my friend John Besselo (I think that is how you spell his name) telling me as were painting a backdrop for a high school play in the auditorium…. “My mother tells me older men want to @uck me cause I am blonde and blue eyed and they like that.” I had a crush on him but didn’t tell him I did, I just smiled and told him he wasn’t pretty enough and they wanted pretty things no a challenge!

The weekends couldn’t come fast enough. We spent most of the week preparing our attitude for fun at the Shack. Sometimes we would go on a Wednesday as it was the third most popular day to go (Friday and Saturday of course being the first and second). If I didn’t get a ride from a friend, I would hitch hike which at that time mostly safe (except if you had blonde hair and blue eyes). The hard part was getting back home. At 2:00 in the morning your rides (if not your friends) were most likely going to be an old horny man or wasted hippies. I preferred the hippies… at least I knew I didn’t have to have sex with them!~

There were several clicks at the Shack. The Valley kids (mostly from rich families and simi adventurous), the Beverly Hills kids (rich, bored and had lots of connections for drugs), and then the Beach kids (really bored, hated their parents and found the rest of us entertaining). I danced on American Bandstand and the Real Don Steele Show from 1973 – 1977 so most of the crowd I had encountered there. The first time I saw (I say saw as I didn’t actually meet him until later) Chuckee Starr was at a taping of the Real Don Steele Show. I think the New York Dolls were taping their appearance when down the alley that was next to the Studio on the KHJ-lots, comes this he/she of a person with at least 6” platforms, blue jeans cut into hot pants with fridge hanging from them, tube top and a banner wrapped around him like a beauty queen winner that stated “SWEET”. Needless to say I thought I saw it all then!

Later at a tapping of American Bandstand I was introduced to the word BI…. “Buy? What am I supposed to buy?” That was my response to question a pretty young guy asked me between tapings “Are you BI?” I had no idea what the hell that meant until he then explains the meaning. I then was more confused as I always thought you either like boys or girls not both! I sense have learned to accept all.

Back to the Shack and our little reunion with some friends. It was a nice to see old friends. Catching up is always great for conversation. What we have done, what we should have done, talking about all the crazy things we did… then looking each other and wondering why we are still alive!

OK, well more later, my life has many roads. I decided to let you in on some of them, so enjoy.

It's been a long time but I am back!

I have been working pretty hard the last several months to try and get my Diversity company up and running. Also been working on helping my better half’s projects by updating and trying to keep up with all that needs to be done.

They way the economy has been, I am blessed that the few clients I have been able to keep my head above the water. I am 51 years old and well, at this stage of the game I am hoping all those years of doing what I do will pay off and I won’t have to get a job a K-Mart or Taco Bell when I am 60!

I am writing to basically get my steam off today. I find in strange in a time when people are trying to get work and trying to find jobs that there are some that seem to take advantage of the fact that they have a roof over their head and that times have been good for them (for the most part) but yet they are complaining about the lack of money coming in but when you give them work they slack off or just do care. There I got that off my chest.

I wish all my friends and family that are going through tuff times right now the best and hope that things pick up. Ronn and I are truly blessed to have great friends and great family. We do what we can to help and if other do the same, we all can get through this.

Facebook has kept me pretty busy with catching up with old friends. It (for the most part) has been a great journey. I have truly enjoyed reconnecting with most and connecting with new. Boy it’s scary to see how some of us look after not seeing each other for over 30 years! When I wake up I feel 17… when I look in the mirror I look 45, when I lay down to go to bed I feel 100! : )~ I guess my life after high school was pretty much an adventure. I haven’t talk to most of my childhood friends for those 30 plus more years of not seeing them. So catching up on one’s life is great reading and conversation. All those crazy times I had in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I often stop and take a deep breath and thank the powers that be that I am still on this earth. So many of things I did or situations I was in… It’s a wonder that I am still standing. I guess I was supposed to so I could blog/write about it.

Going to be working at the GLAD annual "Taste of Eagle Rock" this Saturday, August 22nd at GLAD. The Great Los Angeles Agency on Deafness is a wonderful non profit that is helping our Deaf and Hard of Hearing community members. Rachel Braver once again is doing a fantastic job (as well as hard working) preparing for this event. both Ronn Savala and I are very proud of our little Braver!

So that leads me into what all that stuff above I am yapping about. I will use this blog more often to express myself and to tell a story or two. If your listening enjoy.

mandog