A New York Times piece by Felicity Barringer got my blood boiling. She detailed the work of vandals in National Parks, Monuments and other priceless settings. Perhaps before we knew better we carved our initials in a tree or on an old log. While it may have been a bit destructive, it is nothing like the senseless or stupid desecration of wilderness done by spray painting or cutting, or malicious damage. Shame on the idiots and their friends or family who condone it.
Warning! If I see you up to this pernicious behavior, you will be confronted. A couple of years ago, in the height of fire season, I saw an Hawaiian shirt bedecked German tourist wandering off the path, despite warning signs, collecting pine cones, despite prohibition warnings, his hands and arms full while a cigarette dangled from his lip. Though I speak no German, he understood my castigation, the look on his face revealed that. Impishly I smile a bit about that fool's wandering from the path in his shorts and flip flops as he waded through a healthy patch of poison oak!
THE REAL DEAL IN MORRO BAY
Authentic California fishing village scenes still play out in Morro Bay.
Fewer boats operate out of the town, landmarked by the Morro Rock, than when we first wandered into the water front for a supply of fresh sea food many years ago.
But it is still an operating fishing port and I'm fascinated by the work and activity there.
Tourists who flock to the embarcadero as well as locals have some great choices for fresh sea food and dining. Giovanni's and Tognazzini's are both sure bets.
On an ancient trip up the coast, when we were still mid-westerners, I thought the "stacks" at the power plant were a blight on the sea front. Now that we've been out here for several years, we've adopted the attitude of most of the locals and natives, they are part of the land and sea scape-a kind of marker on the coast.
From this corner of the Peanut Gallery, it doesn't matter if Beyonce was live or recorded. Her rendition of the National Anthem was stirring and sensational. So was the Marine Band.
JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE FREE TO
DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO
Four letter words have lost their shock value. Like many of you, I'm comfortable enough in my own skin and values to appreciate the vast latitude that free speech provides, even when it is offensive.
More offensive than hearing what we used to call "gutter" language coming from actors, comedians, singers, etc is the unnecessary use of it. The fact that more people swear or curse everyday is not something about which to be proud. OK, maybe we have fewer reservation and perhaps people just feel free to say it like they wish, but some of what we called "polite" language has value, not the least of which is dignity.
I'm surprised that good writers or authors believe they must put some words into the mouths of their characters. All too often it is not needed to build a character's personality or to help with plot line.
I'm no prude, and to be sure I can sail with spicy language, but I just wonder if we haven't hit the skids and simply peppered too much useless "foul" language into the mix. Laziness? Stupidity?
MORRO ROCK YOU BE THE EDITOR
Which of the two frames do you prefer? If you'd care to, leave a comment below.
Interesting what a difference a focal length can make eh?
The US is overdue in brining rail trail into modernity. Other nations put us to shame and our transportation matrix suffers by lack of high speed trains. This week the California legislature will vote on Governor Jerry Brown's attempt to build the nation's first high speed line.
Many criticize the plan, saying it is too expensive, we can't afford it in a recession, that the opening leg is on a non crucial route.
Governor Brown is quoted as saying "Suck it in. We've got to build, we got do it right."
I agree. There is probably never a time we can "afford" to undertake a leap into the future, so it is easy to put it off and as time passes it never happens. Exactly why the US is a pathetic player when it comes to rail travel.
There is a Chinese wisdom, from LaoTsu, that says "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." This is California's opportunity to start the US on that journey. It will cost more later, it is already seriously delayed and it will be good for future generations. Jerry Brown's father, Governor Pat Brown authored the California State Water Plan and helped push the Golden State into the future. There was acrimony over his idea, but the flourishing of the Central Valley agriculture, the water resources in Southern California and other measures have proven to be the positive outcome of a visionary plan. In this case it is "like father, like son."
High speed rail has proven itself in Germany, Japan, France and other nations. It's time to "suck it up" and get on with the future.
DAY FILE
THE SPIT & THE ROCK
History abounds in this shot. The Rock, at the end of the spit is the famed Morro Rock, a volcano plug and one of the "Nine Sisters" of volcanic and tectonic formed mountains that follow the central coast from Morro Bay, south to below San Luis Obispo.
The "Rock" was named by the Portugese explorer Juan Cabrillo in 1542. He thought the rock looked like a Moor, the North African people of whom the men wore turbans.
The spit is naturally occurring, but augmented by breakwaters built by the army. During WW II landing craft were housed in the harbor and the spit was used as part of
training exercises. Some of the D-Day invaders practiced "hitting the beach" from landing craft on the spit.
In December 1941 the Morro Rock was struck by shells fired from a Japanese U boat. It was the same day the oil tanker Montebello was sunk by a Japanese submarine.
Today the Spit offers a scenic and athletic hiking trail.
Reading of the election difficulties of two long time US Senators, Richard Lugar of Indiana and Oren Hatch of Utah renewed a nagging thought. From where are the new "Lions" coming? Generally, and this is a purely subjective take, the quality of upper chamber, the US Senate, has been in steep decline over the last decade.
There was a time when men and women of conviction and deep political differences could legislate. There was a time when our Federal legislature was not mired in a morass of gridlock, petty interests, cheap hustles, and political gamesmanship above all else.
If you doubt that, then regard those times in our history when we recovered from war, helped Japan and Europe rebuild and re-tool, led the way in manufacturing, education, medical research, science, when the economy grew, and there was a sense of prosperity and hope. It took an obliging, motivating, visionary Senate and even House.
Some of the names will recall history lessons. Others will remind you of people of skill. Here's just a few names, from our era, to say nothing of the historic Henry Clays or William Jennings Bryans, etc.
Everett Dirksen, John Foster Dulles, Margret Chase Smith, Lyndon Johnson, Estes Kefauver, Barry Goldwater,
Mike Mansfield, Stu Symington, Alben Barkley, Clifford Case, Jacob Javits, William Promire, John Tower, Edward Kennedy, Abe Ribicoff, George McGovern, Birch Bayh, Edward Brooke,
Mark Hatfield, Harold Hughes, Robert Dole, Richard Schwieker, Robert Taft, Lowell Weicker, Hubert Humphrey, Sam Nunn, et al.
These people were not saints, nor necessarily towering luminaries, but they were legislators, capable of working, achieving compromise and serving the interest of the Republic and the Senate. Do you think some of the newly elected, or those circling to get in are of this calibre? Perhaps some are unless they come in as "true believers" in an ideology over the common good of all.
REMEMBERING A JAZZ GREAT
A CAMBRIA LOCAL
FOR JAZZ FANS
Our unique village said good bye to one of our unique
citizens, Red Holloway a jazz and blues legend. Here is a
five minute video with just a few of the highlights from
what was an extraordinary jazz and blues tribute Sunday
afternoon.
I shot this with a IPhone, so you are not going to see
a master production, but it will give you a taste.
I suggest you click the youtube icon and watch it in a larger format
LOCAL COLOR
And here in less than 30 seconds is a glimpse of
the famed Morro Rock-one of the Great Icons of the
Advertisers continue to bail out on the gas bag. At his
best Limbaugh was a mildly amusing talker who knew a little
about marketing from his days as a pr flack and baseball pimp. That he went from a goof ball to a political force is
merely a testament to how low brow American politics has
descended. But this latest episode of his verbal assault on a woman has caused many to begin to smell the coffee. Why
anyone took his views as serious is mystifying, maybe now
some of those followers will see him for what he really is.
He is only a performer, a phony, playing to a crowd. He is
just a talker.
What he said was wrong by any definition. He will probably survive this meltdown, but the trash heap of over stuffed egos would be too good a place for the jerk. He's mean, devious, laughing all the way to the bank and should be water boarded until Dick Cheney runs to his rescue. That is run, physically, in person.
RICK SANTORUM MUST BE STUPID TOO
This doofus is the worst thing for Republicans since
since mold on bread. In this democratic republic even extremists or idiots are entitled to their view, but no one should draw political boundaries or build a following based on the assumption their theology is better than anyone else's. That's the province of the wacko brand of Islamic fundamentalist Imams who train young boys to be bombers. Santorum is actually dangerous. His brand Catholicism embarrasses many Roman Catholics and diverges from the church's larger view.
Why moderate, centrist, intelligent Republicans have not spoken out against him defies explanation. Even the religious right should sanction this fool.
NOW LETS SEE HOW THE STRONG MAN WILL PLAY IT.
VLADIMIR THAT IS
Putin, who is light years more intelligent and enlightened than either of the cretins referred to above, now faces a tough spot. Elected to a 6 year term, to his old post as President of Russia, he will have to confront the rapidly growing opposition movement. The anti Putin demonstrations were the most significant public outpouring of that kind in decades in Russia.
Putin was an unlikely candidate to begin with. Before his earlier rise to political influence he had been one of those gray, faceless, technocrats in the old KGB. Putin is smart,
has demonstrated he knows how to wield power and he is tough. But this challenge is something new. Will he result to old Soviet ways of dealing with the growing opposition movement, or will he pushed to find a more rational way? Regardless, it appears he's going to have some homegrown issues to occupy his new Presidency.
DAY BOOK
CALIFORNIA SPRING, GREEN & MORRO ROCK
An almond tree in March bloom at the Pipestone Vineyard.
In the distant horizon, the famed Morro Rock. Shot from Highway 46, Green Valley Road, earning its name.
Look at the difference of a couple of hours in the frame above and below.
Shadows play nicely on the undulations of the Santa Lucia highlands.
SERVICE WITH A SMILE You've read earlier laments about an interruption in phone or computer service. Interruption is truly disruption of the flow of a day. We've had frequent Charter outages over the last couple of weeks. The quality of assistance of the voice at the other end of my cell phone has ranged from belligerent and nearly hostile to truly compassionate, helpful and friendly. Generally the tech or service assistant has been pretty good. It is more helpful when the other person is in the US. I'm not a xenophobe, but over the years I've learned more good things happen when the service rep is in the states. Speaking to a fellow citizen does not guarantee better service, but the odds are better and I can understand what they say. During our last outage-this afternoon-the young male rep was very helpful, apologetic and explained the problem was with a "node" in the office and he was surprised by how frequently the problem has occurred. He was a pro. Companies make mistakes when they don't train and insist that service and sales representatives put the customer first. We may not always be right, but it doesn't hurt to train the staff to at least make us feel that way. One of the absolute best at doing this is IN AND OUT Burgers. There you get quality service with a smile. Today's Charter rep also gets a star. It is our money we pay, for service we expect, and when things go awry it helps if the "help we call" seems to understand that equation.
A ROCK WITH TOPPING Morro Rock, looking like cupcake maybe.
