Zen Monday: #220

On Zen Monday, you write the caption instead of me. Please have at it in the comments.

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On the Camelot Where You Are front, a decisive victory to report:

Lisa is the winner, with #28 from Thursday, Lancelot's Love Bulletin. Congratulations, Lisa! You win a free copy of my new novel, Camelot & Vine, as soon as it comes out. (Before Christmas, I hope! Fingers crossed.)

We Are Young

Our birthday party yesterday was grand. Many of Pasadena's well-loved dignitaries were there for the synchronized cake-cutting. We had music, classic cars, booths starring local businesses, face painting--all the fun stuff.

But the star of the party was the cake. Uh, cakes. Seven cakes.

Everyone who was willing to stand in line got a piece. I'm too impatient, and I'll bet I'm not the only one.

We Are Old!

Big, big doings today for the Pasadenish because it's our 126th birthday.

We're having our party from 12-4 pm at the Pasadena Museum of History (free admission, free parking). There will be art, music, antique cars and more. In honor of this year's Olympics, the Synchronized Cake Cutting will be held at 3pm, officiated by Mayor Bill Bogaard.

Many organizations sponsor the event. A big co-sponsor is Pasadena Water and Power (a super important entity in this part of the world), and this year the cakes (also super important) come from Vons.

Everybody gets a free piece of cake. Everybody. You are Pasadenish. Come and get your cake.

Transit of Venus

John and I wanted to view the transit of Venus yesterday. We had missed it in 2004 and there's not going to be another one until 2117. (Why isn't it regular? I don't know why. Go ask an astronomer. This town is lousy with astronomers.)

When Venus transits the sun you can almost see it with the naked eye, except as we all know you're not supposed to look at the sun. John and I were trying to remember how as kids we had made solar eclipse viewers. We agreed that cardboard boxes were the main component. John said you had to cut a hole somewhere in the box. I thought there was tin foil involved but couldn't remember in what capacity. And sticks. Weren't there sticks? You propped your box on sticks and angled it toward the sun, and you laid on your stomach on the grass and looked into the box. Am I close?

Just in time, the Facebook invitation appeared. Susan Kitchens would be holding a Transit of Venus Viewing at Peck Road Park in El Monte--with her telescope--her specially outfitted telescope--through which we could look at the sun.

It was just as thrilling as I'd hoped it would be to watch through Susan's telescope as the small, black spot appeared at the edge of the large, yellow spot. Venus took its sweet time and crossed the sun like a round, black ship sailing a round ocean of fire inside the round lens. Then Susan pulled out the solar viewing glasses and I put them on.

You can't see a thing with those glasses on until you look up, directly at the sun.

I have never looked directly at the sun before, not for more than a fraction of a second. Through those little scientific miracles I watched the event itself, breathless, with not even a telescope to separate me from it.

Venus, the sun, the sky, the air, the ground, me.

Weekend

There's a lot going on this weekend in Pasadena, especially Saturday.

1. The Doo Dah Parade. Eau mai gawd.

2. Arlington Garden's sixth anniversary celebration.

3. The grand opening of Reese's Retreat (9am-1pm).

4. And if you're bookish (I'm bookish!--and you thought I was American) there's the LA Times Festival of Books, not in Pasadena but too close for comfort. This year it's being held at USC instead of UCLA. I don't know why, do you? Anything to do with football rivalry?

5. Plus, if you have energy left after Saturday, Sunday there's the Altadena Home Tour.

Which do you plan to attend?

Put a Fork In It

Update Friday morning: just received this bulletin from Phil:
Due to major traffic and safety concerns, people dropping off non-perishable items for food drive MUST enter Bellefontaine off Fair Oaks and proceed West. We want this to be safe and successful with no danger of accidents or the city shutting us down.
BTW, we are in desperate need of volunteers for both days. Please call Phil or email him if you can assist on either day for shifts 8-11 or 11-2, Phil @ AgentPhil.com or call 626 644-3227.

Drive a little further south on St. John Avenue from yesterday's photo and you'll come to the Fork in the Road.

Today's photo was taken by Phil Coombes, pictured at right. I myself have avoided photographing the Fork.

This is not because I don't like the Fork. Hell, everyone likes the Fork. But everyone has also photographed the Fork, talked about the Fork, written articles about the Fork. (This is because Phil is some kind of genius publicist.) I figured I didn't need to add anything about the Fork. But now the Fork is about to be the location of Put the Fork in Hunger, "Pasadena's largest food drive ever," so I'm on the bandwagon. Um--plate.

Ken Marshal (the Fork's creator, whom you know from the Coffee Gallery Backstage), Bob Stane (formerly of the Ice House and now of the Coffee Gallery Backstage) and Phil Coombes, (local real estate broker, AgentPhil.com) are the oomph behind this project to benefit Pasadena's Union Station Homeless Services. Union Station puts on an annual Thanksgiving Dinner at Central Park. This year they're expecting 5,000 people, and I don't suppose it'll surprise you to hear their food banks are extremely low.

Ken, Bob and Phil are asking for your help. This Saturday and Sunday, November 21st and 22nd between 8am and 4pm, just drive by the Fork in the Road where Pasadena and St. John Avenues meet south of Bellefontaine. It's just south of Huntington Hospital (you'll want to stay in the left lane whether you take St. John heading south or Pasadena heading north). Drive by slowly and hand your non-perishable food items to the volunteers in the bright orange t-shirts and holding outreach bags.

(I don't know what an "outreach bag" is, either. Don't worry about it. I suspect it'll be obvious when you get there. It's not like there'll be people at the fork wearing bright orange t-shirts and holding a variety of bags to confuse you.)

Ken, Bob and Phil are also looking for volunteers to help on both days this weekend, "especially high school students looking to put in service hours." For further information or to volunteer, contact Phil @ AgentPhil.com or call 626 644-3227.

Right now my browser's napping so I'll give you more links tomorrow. I think you've got enough information for marking your calendar and for putting non-perishables on your grocery list. Wouldn't it be great if all of Pasadena turned out for this event? A traffic jam, yes, but a fun one.

Youbetcha Kutcha

Pecha Kucha, Charleston, SC

Yes. I was one of the oldest people at Pecha Kucha. I am so old I happily pronounce and spell it differently each time. Pechu Kicha. Pecha Kecha. Machu Picchu. Youbetcha Kutchie.

This third event was held outside on the lawn in front of Gaillard Auditorium and we were entertained by skateboarders while we waited for dusk so the powerpoint slides would show up. In a recent clean up I got rid of all my lawn chairs so we had to camp on a blanket for the evening. I was clever enough to get a large iced coffee from Saffron's before the program started. The clever poster was designed by the Fuzzco gang, pictured below.

Here is the Pecha Kucha scoop:
Pecha Kucha, Japanese for the sound of conversation, is a mix of show-and-tell, open-mike night and happy hour that has become a forum for ideas on design, architecture and other forms of creativity. Devised in 2003 in Tokyo, Pecha Kucha Night has spread virally to over 135 cities around the world as an informal forum for creative people to meet, network and show their work in public.

For more about Pecha Kucha you can visit the global website.

Each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for just 20 seconds, giving 6 minutes 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. This keeps presentations concise, the interest level up, and gives more people the chance to show.

Here are things you need to know about Pecha Kucha Night:

01 - Pecha Kucha Night is for creativity and not for profit.
02 - Pecha Kucha Night presentations are typically 20 images x 20 seconds each.
03 - Pecha Kucha Nights are about exposing the hidden creativity in a city.
04 - Pecha Kucha Nights are held in social spaces.
05 - Pecha Kucha Night is a true social network.
06 - Pecha Kucha Night is about thinking and drinking.
07 - Pecha Kucha Night is about the live event - not a LCD screen in your home.
08 - Pecha Kucha cities sign a simple hand shake agreement to join the network.
09 - Pecha Kucha Nights are held in over 135 cities.
10 - Over 4,000 people have already presented.
11 - Pecha Nights are organized by artists, designers, students, architects, etc.
12 - Everybody who runs a Pecha Kucha Night has a day job.

Drinking with Friends

Dining with Friends, Maritime Center, Charleston, SC

Last night was the 17th annual Dining With Friends benefit for Lowcountry AIDS Services. For years I have taken a crew of friends and co-workers to staff the Champagne Table. (I can pick my volunteers projects can't I?)

The idea is that people host parties in their homes and the attendees make a donation. Then everyone gathers for dessert, champagne and dancing at the Maritime Center from 9 - 11 pm. I didn't hear a final count but they expected about 4,000. My champagne pouring arm gets it's annual workout at this event and thank goodness we had some muscle to pop the corks.

We had a great gang rallied this year and had a blast! I drank a couple of glasses myself (quality control) and toddled on home licking my fingers after snagging some of the incredible desserts. Thanks to all my helpers for making it a fun night! I'm with Richard and Erin Larson in the photo.

Booting Up is Bootless

Continuing from yesterday and the day before, this shot was also taken on north Los Robles Avenue. Every time I go by these bright berries I feel good.

I forgot about Earth Day yesterday. My little problems seem so monumental when I'm under the desk unhooking this cord from the new computer that doesn't work at all so I can reaffix that wire to the old computer that doesn't work very well.

I listened to Air Talk on KPCC. The subject was Earth Day (ah! slap on the forehead!) and a caller said we're disconnected from the out-of-doors. Her son hangs out in his room staring at his computer. No one goes outside anymore. Let's have Earth Day on a weekend, she said, so working people and school kids can go.

Good point. Pasadena's holding festivities this coming Saturday. Scroll down to Hot Topics at this link and click on Greening The Earth Day, then show up at Memorial Park Saturday for all the free, earthy fun. Earth is important--more important than our little day-to-day stuff--more important than anything, really. Think about it: where else are you gonna go?

But yesterday I forgot that and got my head stuck in unimportant issues. If my computer stops working and I can't post a picture, we'll all muddle through somehow, won't we? I need to remind myself that the world isn't falling apart--or if it is, getting my computer fixed isn't going to help.

Recipes for unsticking the brain: yard work, hanging out with neighbors, walking the dog, babysitting, lunch with a friend, giving a gift, going somewhere you've never been before, participating in an important activity with your tribe (hmm, like Greening the Earth Day). I also like a little dose of Shakespeare for unsticking, and since today is thought to be his 445th birthday and definitely the anniversary of his death, I'm unsticking with a sonnet. I love them all, but if you forced me to pick a favorite it would be Number 29.

When in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And looke upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least,
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the Lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth sings hymns at Heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings,
That then I scorn to change my state with Kings.

Join Us

Tonight we celebrate Earth Hour from 8:30-9:30 pm. The World Wildlife Fund is asking everyone on the planet to turn off their lights for one hour as a show of our commitment to finding solutions to climate change.

John and I wondered what we'd do with a whole hour away from our computers. Then we thought of something.

One little hour seems a small amount of time to show support for the entire future of our planet. I hope you'll join us. I mean that figuratively. Don't come over. Do something at your house.

But you could join us this afternoon at the San Gabriel Valley Bloggers' Potluck. Bloggers, friends, families, fans and lurkers are all invited. It would be lovely to see you there!

Future Queens of Doo Dah

I believe I mentioned I didn't get any good photos of the Doo Dah Parade last Sunday. I got there too late to get a good seat. But I got this shot of a couple of young spectators.

Some of the Doo Dah happens in the crowd. People wear their silly hats, their weird glasses, the things they would wear at Burning Man if they went (and if they wore anything). Doo Dah day is for getting our ya-yas out. Or our doo-dahs, you might say.

I'm bored with my wardrobe. It needs some whimsy.

Celebration Day

Forgive me for indulging in a photo that could have been taken in any city, if it weren't for the fact that few people besides my husband are likely to have a "Local 3 Gore for President" 2004 campaign button. I think we got that while passing through Eureka, California (a great town). During the 2000 and 2004 elections we happened to be on the road. This time, we made it a point to be here in Pasadena. Not that we believe in jinxes or anything.

We're having a few neighbors over for brunch this morning to watch the ceremony on TV and toast our new president. In preparation I went back over to Wayne Nelson's store on North Lincoln Avenue to buy t-shirts so John and I could dress appropriately. Guess what? Wayne's in Washington for the inauguration. Another person I featured on the blog, Alice Gandy, wrote to let me know she was going. TWO Pasadena Daily Photo stars are at the inauguration today. I'm bursting with - not pride, but joy. What a thrill for Alice and Wayne. I can't wait to hear their stories.

I'm a little concerned, though. My friend Lisa gave me the Bush's Last Day key chain in the center of the photo. It was supposed to count down to today and for a while it worked fine. But about two weeks ago it went haywire. I don't know what happened. Maybe I walked by a magnet or Mercury is retrograde or...I don't want to think about it. Not that I believe in jinxes or anything.

Proud Again

Proud the voting went well - imperfect, but well. Proud so many people got out and voted. Proud of Senator McCain's gracious speech - last night he sounded like the McCain I remember. Proud we made history by electing the first African American president. Proud we elected the right president for our times.

Proud to be an American.

Bad Year

You don't see the Goodyear Blimp hovering over town every day, but in Pasadena it's not unusual to see it every few weeks. If you don't have a great telephoto lens it's not easy to get a great shot of it so you might have to trust me.

Yesterday from what I understand, below the blimp UCLA was getting trounced by Arizona at the Rose Bowl Stadium. But frankly I'm unclear on that because I don't speak sportese.

Father's Day Classic

Yesterday was Father's Day, and the Pasadena Police Department hosted a Classic Car Show on Colorado Blvd. I posted a few more shots on Overdog.

As with any antique, the item itself is enriched with the provenance. I like the story on Mark's 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.

1972 was the last year Oldsmobile made a convertible. This car belonged to Mark's dad, who handed it down to Mark. The upholstery (with bucket seats) is in perfect condition, and it's the same buttery white as the fenders. The car's original color was the intense orange/rust of the mag wheels. If you click on this photo to enlarge it, you'll even discern a pinstripe to match, running the length of the car.

Mark's not an antique car aficionado. He's an aficionado of this car. It's part of the family. He told me he'd once thought of selling it, and his wife said, "Over my dead body."

I probably could have gotten a better picture of the car. But this is really a picture of Mark's pride and joy.

Tomorrow will be Zen Tuesday. Mark your calendars.

My Vote

Apparently not too many people knew about it, but there was a primary in California yesterday. Not as exciting as the presidential primary, but there was balloting for statewide offices, local judges, and a couple of measures about eminent domain that were hotly contested (at least on the radio).

I like to vote and I had time in my schedule, so I was one of the 16.48% who turned out in Los Angeles County. It was a low-stress kind of voting situation, and I got to vote for my favorite congressman and have my say about the issues. I hope the rest of you agree with what we decided for you yesterday, because you're going to have to live with it.

Marti's Bees

Although the official day was April 22nd, Pasadena celebrated Earth Day Saturday so everyone could join in. There were arts events, home tours and bike tours. The city blocked streets for an Arts Festival at Memorial Park, with exhibits on recycling, sustainable design, green power and green building.

I checked out one of the Eco-Home Tours. I loved Marti Coleman's shady rear garden ("yard" would be the wrong word, as the Coleman's don't have grass). Every corner invites relaxation or discovery. On a hot day, the Colemans don't need an air conditioner; their garden does the cooling. They've even got a tree house, and there's a hammock up there!

The edible front garden is a gathering spot for bees—thousands of them, without the least interest in stinging people. This might not be remarkable if we hadn't noticed a lack of bees around here lately. Colony Collapse Disorder, a huge potential danger facing our nation's crops, is quite noticeable in California. Scientists around the world are wondering what the deal is.

Perhaps they should study Marti Coleman's garden.

Shadowed Balcony

I used to walk a lot in Chicago. We don't do much walking in the LA metropolitan area. (Strange, when you think how blessed we are weather-wise, and how Chicago isn't.)

Pasadena's working on it, including Mayor Bogaard's Get Up & Moving program, "a brisk walk around the Rose bowl Stadium the first Wednesday of every month at 7:45 a.m." The Mayor invites the citizenry to join him along with a special guest. Not being an early riser, I've already missed big-shot Hollywood Producer and Pasadena resident Gale Ann Hurd, who walked with the Mayor this month. I could shoot for May, but I'm not guaranteeing anything.

The other day I walked along Colorado Blvd. at the east end of town. I found shops I'd never noticed before. I discovered a pretty balcony in the shadows. There's probably sun on it early in the morning.

I may never see it in the early morning, but hey—at least I got out of the car. When you walk, you discover things.

Undark

When City Hall went dark last night at 8:00 for Earth Hour the sky glowed pink, thanks to a heavy mist and what I'm guessing might be sulphur plasma street lights.

Last night's celebration was a well-attended blast, with a storyteller in the courtyard followed by drumming outside the main entrance.

Some lights stayed on. They had to: you can't have people bumping into each other, knocking over plants and tripping over curbs. But we enjoyed being together in the semi-dark, not needing electricity for a time.

Update 3/31/08: Smart husband says probably not sulphur plasma lights but sodium vapor lamps. Which is what I meant.

First Amendment Rites

Yesterday, twice as many people as expected showed up at the corner of Orange Grove and Hill to protest five years of war in Iraq.

Grandparents came with adult children and grandchildren. Ronda (above) brought her sons. Everyone came to have their say, in hopes that we never have to attend another anti-war demonstration.

The atmosphere was more hopeful than angry. One reason might have been the overwhelming support from passing motorists; the cacophony of honking was at times almost too much.

I said "almost." This is a post I wish you could hear.

To see more photos from the event, click here. To check out Democracy for America's Pasadena Chapter ('cause they organized this shindig), click here.