OOPS-A THROWBACK BILLBOARD and La FAMIGLIA

OOPS

   You've probably seen those photos purported to be from India or Pakistan where power and phone lines lace through a rickety neighborhood. Well, this "brilliant" engineering is from San Luis Obispo where a gasoline station has decided to suspend the fan from a power cord!  And it's not far from Cal Poly, where smart folk abound.

LaFAMIGLIA

Picture Perfect

    The Stolo Family Vineyard and Winery hosted a wine club gathering at the family home.

    A bocce tourney played out under the Cambria sunshine.

    The pizza oven was prolific as was the expert from Mama's Meatballs.

   While Don and Charlene tended to the homemade Italian sausage, made by Don, Fiscalini style.

BLOOMS AT OUR GATE

A THROWBACK BILLBOARD  

     Sport anchor Don Hein, news anchor Betsy Ross, news anchor TC and weather man extraordinare' Bob Gregory.

     Despite the self serving nature of the comment, we were an excellent team and under the news directorship of Bob Campbell-a newsman's newsman. 

     See you down the trail.

EXPERIENCES-HARMONY BY EVENING AND BOYHOOD BY FILM

FILM AS EXPERIENCE
follows below
EVENING, HARMONY

   Harmony Cafe, a "California Provence' " lunch favorite, dressed up for an evening Pipestone Winemakers dinner

 the chocolate fettuccine

 Winemakers Jeff and Florence Pipes and Chef Giovanni

BOYHOOD

   Richard Linklater's BOYHOOD, the extraordinary 12 year project is an experience, with more impact than a mere film.  

    It's being called an emotional epic, spellbinding, film of the decade, and more.  It earns those accolades in a way that weaves you into a family, characters, and life, unlike anything I've seen. There is something indelible in seeing the impact of all that life offers, especially on Mason played by Ellar Coltrane who we see grow from an adorable little kid to a college student. For the first time we see and feel the reality of boyhood complete with the icebergs and shoals of parental and adult intrusions teamed with the searching, longings, doubts and expressions of growing up.

     Seeing the cast age before your eyes draws you into the story. Patricia Arquette, Lorelei Linklater, the director's daughter who plays sister Samantha and Ethan Hawke are all superb.  I heard in an interview that much of the script was improvised and from that emotional forge comes an authenticity that would accrue over a 12 year relationship.

      Boyhood is a 2 hour and 44 minute experience that is unique and totally absorbing. It is a brilliant accomplishment and is in an echelon of filmmaking reserved for real art. 

 Seasonal Blooms

drought tolerant

   See you down the trail.

GOOD IS GOOD-GREAT IS BETTER and A THROWBACK

ENTERTAINED

AMUSED

MOVED

     "I just love films. I have since I was a kid," my friend Troy says sitting on a shaded park bench, near the theatre he and Syrie had departed while Lana and I are on the way to the box office, our third time in three days.  Yea, we love films too.

        A MOST WANTED MAN

     A masterful John le Carre' intrigue populated by a great cast including another brilliant Phillip Seymour Hoffman portrayal. I mourned this great actor's tragic death seeing him embody the wizened soul of Gunther Bachman, a German counter terrorism spy running the snares of life including bone headed politicians and their sycophants. Hoffman seamlessly weaves a character into life. He gets first class cooperation from Rachel McAdams, Willem Dafoe, Robin Wright and Grigori Dobrygin. The excellent Daniel Bruhl (RUSH, THE FIFTH ESTATE) shines in a supporting role. Wright's performance as a CIA executive is so good you may end up wishing her a bad outcome. 
      Director Anton Corbijn and screenwriter Andrew Bovell do le Carre' and this great cast a great service. A MOST WANTED MAN is entertaining, with more than a hint of truth.  As an old spy quoted to me-"There's a lot of fiction in truth and a lot of truth in fiction."

I WISH I WAS HERE

     Lana and I consider this a great film.  Zach Braff, who gave us Garden State, ups his skill as director, writer and star in this smart, funny, challenging and moving cinema art.

       Braff is a clever actor and his co-stars were incredible. Kate Hudson and Mandy Patinkin create roles that will stay with you.  Patinkin as the aging patriarch, and Hudson as Braff's long suffering and supportive wife. Pierce Gagnon is a cute son and Josh Gad as the genius ner-do-well brother displays his great comedic chops as awarded in his Broadway work the Book of Mormon. Young Joey King as daughter Grace can break your heart with just a look. She stole several scenes, and you'll see why.

       Some scenes are indelible; Patinkin in a couple of moments not to be disclosed so as to not spoil the plot,  Hudson and Braff's interaction by a washing machine as a couple "rediscovering" each other. Hudson is brilliant here.  And there are precious moments with Braff with his running interior dialogue.

       Beside the obvious story line and full screen entertainment there is the lasting truth of coming to understand limits to dreams. It can be tough to come to a realization about goals for a life.  As Braff says "We can't all be the super heroes, some of us are the ones who need to be rescued."

       This is another important work from a superbly talented story teller.

AND SO IT GOES

     Rob Reiner is another great director and I consider this film as his tribute to a 1940's era romantic comedy, coupled by in this case two Academy Award winners who you just enjoy watching.
       Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton could read letters to the editor and light up the screen.  Douglas as a cranky realtor, living next to a fragile and frequently tearful lounge singer Keaton set up plenty of light, though still probing moments that are well crafted by Reiner's talent as a director and humorist.  Reiner himself dons a terrible toupee and makes a supporting appearance as Artie the always smiling but somewhat hapless piano player.
       Cute is an appropriate description. There is nothing ponderous, but there are nice reflections on family, forgiveness, finding romance later in life and getting past grief. This is a feel good, date night type film.  And during this summer season Reiner's stunning visual treatment of Connecticut lake country feels like a vacation.

LAUNCHING IMAGINATIONS

      Memories of this visit to the shore will last while.

FILLING THE BAY

    Smooth sailing on this side of Morro Rock, inside the bay.

THROWING IT IN THROWBACK

   It may have been a few years ago, but once I had a vertical leap! The arms, hand and wrist tell you I have just let go with an outside jump shot.  I'm thinking, "nothing but net!"  Where did that slender hot shot go?  Well, it was 1964.

   See you down the trail.

        

        

LOVELY ART AND WHORES OF A CERTAIN ILK

POLITICIANS AS WHORES

cases in point coming up

but first-something nice

 Talent

   A moment of personal pride as we see Lana at work on her most recent series, California Grown. Here work is being done, appropriately, in California sunshine.

   The series hangs through October at Windward Vineyard and Winery in the Paso Robles westside region.

   To see more of the California Grown series link to

Lana's blog here.

 Bottles at Stolo

  In a nice coincidence, Lana's Bottles Beaucoup series hangs on the gallery walls at Cambria's own Stolo Family Vineyard and Winery.

   We note the series are in distinctive styles and both are diversions from her award winning plein air work. 

WHERE MONEY IS POISON

   Big money and politics is trouble. With apologies to prostitutes around the world, money in electoral politics is turning candidates into whores. Too much legislation is essentially purchased and written by financial contributions.

   Could this be a case in point? Laurel Rosenhall of the Sacramento Bee reports since tobacco companies have dumped big money on California politicians the legislature has rejected legislation aimed at smoking, including bans on public school campuses, at start parks and beaches as well as tax increases on tobacco. As Rosenhall writes "anti cancer advocates say it is no coincidence…" In California alone Altria and RJ Reynolds have invested  $129 million since 2000. 

MAYBE THERE IS A PLACE FOR BIG MONEY

    If corporations and special interests really must spend on public issues, why not invest the billions they spend on electoral politics instead where it does some good, helping to rebuild our aging and decaying infrastructure, or to improve operations at the VA, or to fund improvements in public schools, or etc? Money that ends up as annoying commercials and direct mailers or in the the politicians pocket could make a huge difference in the quality of American life.

    And to conclude this rant, it would be the right thing to do to outlaw the ability of members of the house or senate to establish leadership PACs. In case you are unaware, that is where the money can flow to the individual and be spent as they wish and can follow them out of office.  There was a time in America when we'd call that a slush fund. Sadly it is accepted and sanctioned by the very perpetrators. That's crazy, it should be criminal and PACs are, in fact, slush funds. How long will we tolerate this abuse?

 tough
dedicated to persistence and tenacity

  California poppies seem to thrive anywhere.

    as well as these drought tolerant succulents.  

   See you down the trail.

DOES IT MATTER?-NSA AND FREEDOM-CURIOS AND A THROWBACK

DOES IT MATTER?

       First Amendment rights are being challenged by an information gathering surveillance function of the NSA.
       The First Amendment protects and therefore guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press and the right to assemble to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

VIEW AT YOUR OWN RISK

CURIOS AND KNICKKNACK'S

 Curios are rare objects of value.  Knickknacks are odd, small and supposedly worthless household items. 

 THROWBACK TO LATE 70'S

   Hanging out with Elliot Gould who was passing through on a promotional tour.  Yep that's a chef's jacket I'm wearing. WNAP FM, where I was a newscaster, would frequently choose a location, set up a tent and cook breakfast for anyone who stopped by. We frequently created massive traffic jams.  On this day the crowds were even larger.

   See you down the trail.

THE SHOWDOWN and WHAT COLOR AMERICA?

 A MINOR CASUALTY

    We were cozy, mesmerized by flames in the open fire place on the bluff above a surging Pacific. A marine bank fog thickened and was irresistible to Tashi and Anzi. The border collie and shepherd belonged to the two couples, friends, with whom we shared the California coastal charm. The duo were getting on well, plenty of leg room along the bluff and the swirling gray air seemed a mysterious veil they needed to pierce.

    Tashi had come to rest next to his "papa and mama" Mike and Jacque. Anzi had been relaxing with Bob and Jan when he decided it was time for an amble.  A few minutes later Jan excitedly alerts us that Anzi seems to be menaced by a much smaller dog.  Little dog syndrome I think as I peer into the soupy field behind the bluff. I'm struck by how it appears the little dog is up in the air. Is he jumping or has Anzi tossed him? A second later I notice that little dog has a tale up behind him, straight as a ruler and seems to be doing a little dance.  Anzi lunges forward and then retreats, as though repelled.

    "Oh no!" Jan yells. "Anzi's getting sprayed by a skunk!"

    The profile in the fog was unmistakable.  That erect tail, and speedy skip followed by the first scent working against the ocean breeze confirmed the worst suspicion.  Jan was off in a flash, leashed Anzi, brought him across the field where it was apparent who got the best of whom in the encounter.  Poor Anzi was rubbing his face and nose in the dirt and on the grass, trying to rub and shake off what had been a direct hit. His playmate Tashi seemed to evince a canine OMG! I don't think I've seen a dog's eyes quite so expressive. 

      In moments, Bob, Jan and Anzi were off for a bath and treatment as the unmistakable scent began to waft across the heath. And so a drama of nature brought down the curtain on the evening.

      Anzi recovered with a good bath. He and Bob and Jan are back in Agoura Hills. If the look in Tashi's eyes that evening is any indication, she is likely stay closely along side Mike and Jacque when the next stroll on a foggy evening rolls around.

       I'm glad it all ended well, though I had never seen a skunk in action before. I think I'm with Tashi on the need for caution.

WHAT HAPPENED TO CONSCIOUSNESS III?

      Here's an obscure bit of trivia for people of a certain age.  Do you remember The Greening of America by Charles Reich?

       I read it first in the New Yorker as a major essay. Later it was to become a New York Times best seller.  A tribute to the 1960's "counter culture" Reich proposed that American history was a pattern of consciousness changes and that consciousness level III, the anti establishment anti greed, anti discrimination, pro free thought, do your own thing, adherence to love and good vibes would be enough to change history. In retrospect it was a kind of paean to an idealism and sense of hope.  At the time it felt great. I wonder how many of you may remember that time, that premise and if you have theories about what has happened since?

      So in the meantime I raise a glass to what I hope will be the Greening of California, by other means-namely rain.

GOOD GREEN+

      And, still we hope.

      See you down the trail.

OF VACATIONS, MAKING OUT AND THROWBACKS

IT LEFT ME WOOZY

     Vacation season brings to mind summer romances and one in particular, the year of my first "make out session."

      Susan Hall was her name, a bright smiling faced blond from Pontiac Michigan. She was angular and her body was beginning to suggest her coming womanhood. I was changing as well, getting a little taller while hormones were switching on. 

      We were typical 12-13 year olds. Susan was ahead of me in romantic maturity. Until that summer I was content to spend 18 hours a day playing ball, but when I saw her on the sun kissed  beach of Lake Michigan, my brain and body gave me signals I did not understand.  Suddenly romping in the surf with my brother didn't seem to be as much fun as getting to know that pretty girl who continued to smile at me.

       I had to overcome a shyness, which she was anything but. It was a great match. The year before I would have been bored silly just to sit and talk, or walk the beach, or into the village for ice cream or sodas. I couldn't quite grasp what it was that I was feeling. After a couple of days we were walking hand in hand, laughing and I found myself making more conversation than I ever did with my buddies back home.

       She suggested we take in a movie.  I remember my mom's wide eyed and mouth agape reaction when I told her of our plans. Dad was all for it.  He even gave me an extra buck so I could buy her ticket and a snack.

      My younger brother John, who seemed to have been born older and more advanced than me, spent the afternoon of the big date telling me how to proceed.  First you had to put your arm around her shoulder, or hold her hand and as soon as the lights in the theatre dropped, you make your move. I had kissed a girl before, furtive gestures  in playing spin the bottle.  Frankly those games were always a bit embarrassing for me, up until this summer I guess.

       I met Susan outside her cabin and she was radiant. Her blond hair shinning in the evening sun, her smile big and cheerful and she smelled so good. Until that moment perfume was the often obnoxious aroma of aunts, or older women. This scent however was something different.

      We held hands and seemed to walk so our arms and hips were in constant contact.  We settled for a place in the back of the theatre and in what was the boldest and most brazen move in my life, I slipped my arm around her shoulder. She responded by putting her head on my shoulder. Her blond hair, so soft on my face, had a wonderful aroma and there was that other intoxicating scent around her chin line. 

      Cupid was on steroids that evening and our young teen hormones on full alert.  We could not get enough face to face time, cheeks against cheeks and lips exploring lips. There were moments when I feared I would suffocate, but I was bound not to stop. Eventually her tongue opened an expedition to my mouth.  My brother had told me about this. Until a few hours before I had no idea such a thing existed, but now I was fully on board with the concept and a willing experimenter.

     I have no idea of the film that was playing that evening-none. I was disappointed though when credits rolled and the house lights came on. We walked home, arm in arm, her head on my shoulder. We stopped a few times and leaned against a darkened building and continued our kiss fest.

All too quickly we were back at the beach and nearing her cabin. She stopped, reached into her purse, handed me an envelope and told me not to open it until I got home. A final kiss, more quick than the others, she smiled and went up the sandy walk to her cabin.  I just drifted home.

    Years later I would come to understand  how I felt in that moment to be a kind of intoxication.  My body seemed to be agitating for something I was not sure of. It was a great feeling, driven by a desire simply to be with her.  Mom and Dad were sitting in the cabin playing cards.  Brother John was the first to speak-"Did ya make out?" 

     "That's enough of that!" Dad said turning to me as I stood in the door. He gave me a wink. I'm sure it was all over my face, along with her lipstick and perfume.  

     These were new feelings for this kid. Kind of like butterflies and an unquenchable longing. I was woozy. Then I opened the note. Her picture was the first thing I saw, with her name and address written on the back. Inside was a folded note. They were leaving in the morning. She said she had fun.

      In that moment I was sure I would save all of my feelings for her. I would find some way to get to Pontiac Michigan.  

    We spent a few more days at the shore and I felt a kind of emptiness. John peppered me with questions, which I never answered to his satisfaction because I didn't want to say anything to violate that special experience.  Back home I drifted back to endless games of basketball, but when school began I had a new interest in my female class mates. Thanks to Susan, my male ego had been exercised and I thought  of myself as "experienced."  At 13 that is a big deal.  Thanks Susan. You gave me a first and an initiation into romance. I have always wondered what life provided you.  
    Do you remember your first, or a summer romance?

VACATION SCENES

 DO YOU KNOW?

   Do you know what creates these patches of calm and different texture on the Pacific?

   My hunch is that it's a kelp bed, not yet to the surface, as these are.

A WAY BACK THROWBACK

  This was one of my mom's favorite photos.  1954. Tom is the toothless older brother. John is the firecracker in the middle and the baby is little Jimmy.

   See you down the trail.