Preface

1st Timer?  WELCOME!  1st, click on the “About” tab in the upper right corner for a very brief “who & what” this is all about.   Start reading every writing, in chronological order forward.    Or, you can simply read from a tiny sample of previous writings which can only give a taste of the Cafe Pasadena.  Unfortunately, it’s far from a representative sample:

Pasadena Community Organizer. Me?    Rose Bowl Update! 

Pasadena: Then & Now    Still The One   A Pasadena Thanksgiving  

Greetings from The Athenaeum   MO-CHICA Peruvian Restaurant 

Rose Parade: Final Appeals!   State of The City 2012    Ansel Adams: L.A. Photographer

The Rainbow City    Customer Disservice   All About The Watchmaker (History) 

Lady of Leisure Drive    Tournament of Roses Royal Court

2nd: If you’ve been here before but it’s been a while:  Welcome Back, Stranger!  Never left feedback, or just “LIKED” some articles?? Then it’s about time you left a comment or tell us what it is you “LIKE”, or DISLiked!   All others:  where you been?, que paso?’; what happened:  did you give up blogging?,  or throw out your computer?, etc, et al.  Frankly, I have less time nowadays to blog, and read/comment on other blogs. Therefore, those who read & comment on my blog at least semi-regularly will receive my mutual respect via my reading & commenting on your blog. There are just too many blogs out there for me to read/comment on the others.

Thanks for coming, reading, and giving us a piece of your mind. Welcome to the Cafe Pasadena.

The Photographers Photographer

 

If you’ve become a photographer, do you ever notice something interesting…when you ask someone to be photographed, often they’ll turn camera shy.  No problem, I understand.

In contrast, I could be shooting something, or someone, and some stranger will walk into your scene and stop, or right through your scene. As if you’re not even there, or maybe as if they should be in your shot! That’s a problem, I don’t understand.

Ever notice such behavior?

The case below finds this lady shutterbug entering my scene to shoot who knows what.  Me? I would rather photograph the beautiful young goddesses on the left who have a coincidental resemblance to a couple of acquaintances: Vice Mayor of Pasadena Mc Austin &  Helen of Pasadena (aka Elizabeth The 1st Wife).  One gal loves to read, the other loves to write (and eat macarons!)

 

LitFest Pasadena 2012

 

But what do I know. Afterall, this shutterbug packs a bigger, fancier, more expensive looking shooter than your poor old dog.  So, she must know how to shoot straight.

If you find yourself taking out the camera/phone this Memorial Day weekend to shoot some scenes, be aware of such people.  Hopefully you can stay home this holiday weekend to get some real R & R and take time to remember the true reason for this holiday.  Otherwise, be afraid – be very afraid – as you’re about to click on that perfect shot – they’re all around us, unfortunately!  Luckily, I can swear on 100,000 books for a buck each to knowing nobody who would ever do such an unspeakable act during one of my photo compositions…

 

 

 

 

Gotta Take Shots! Stay Thirsty My Friends

The Language of Books

 

Or, is it the Art of books?

 

 Century Bookshop, Pasadena California

 

 

Gotta Read! Stay Thirsty My Friends

Euro Pane’s Poet Laureate

 

That’s what I call him. And friend.

 

Lester Graves Lennon

 

“Fellow traveler at Euro Pane” is one thing he calls me.

“But, Lester is from Altadena!”, you may protest.  Hey, don’t believe everything you hear from the county!  The Altadeners are not a bunch of troublemakers.  A few may be tree-huggers, bikers, or cat-lovers, but otherwise that peculiar land to our north is filled with flag waving, law abiding, dog loving, literate, blogging patriots! And that wonderful newspaperman, T.R., who blogs over Altadena at his AltadenaBlog!

Oh, and some poets…

 

I have been called. Now, I must answer.

I have seen things, seen them with my heart;

been there, been part, been violator

and violated, been admiral

and his sailor.  I must bear witness,

leave safe harbor offered by silence,

–Lester Graves Lennon (excerpt from poem Things I Have Seen in his book of poetry The Upward Curve of Heaven & Earth. Story Line Press 2001)

 

 

Lennon is synonymous with words. Beatle & lyricist John Lennon’s song lyrics of half century past, and now, poet Lester Lennon.  There may be a blood relationship there, but I have neither the time or expertise for genealogical research.

I certainly no wordsmith. So, lemme try to get to the point.  Lester just had a new book of poetry published: My Father Was a Poet.

And of course, good people I know, doing good work, I try to give my good support.  His book tour across the country launches here in Pasadena this Sunday afternoon at his favorite cafe – Euro Pane.  It makes poetic sense for Lester to have his launch at Euro Pane: a major supporter of the SLake L.A. literary journals and LitFest Pasadena.  And Sumi deChef/Owner is a voracious reader herself, on a range of subjects, for a start.  I’ve found she happens to know a good deal about taste & food too. I’m no longer surprised what she is studying!

 

 

 

Who is this for?  Any of the following are especially invited:

Lester Grave Lennon friends/family/fanatics/followers

Euro Pane Bakery & Cafe friends/family/fanatics/first-timers

Poetry or Poet lovers

Those wanting to get into poetry

Readers or Book collectors

SLake readers

LitFest Pasadena lovers

 

Come on down to support a local writer/poet.

 

Read CW Books

 

I happen to have Lester’s first book of poetry – The Upward Curve of Earth & Heavens – and I have to say, this is one of the very few books of poetry I like enough to actually purchase! 

To meet and know Lester is to know a wise, educated, modest, good & humble person, to say the least.  We all need more of these type of people in our lives.  You have an opportunity this Sunday afternoon. Recommended. Come out to support our local authors, especially you Altadeners!

 

Even Presidents listen to his words

 

 

Previous: Happy Mothers Day?

 

Gotta Read. Stay Thirsty My Friends

Happy Mothers Day??

 

Mothers Day 2013

 

This past Sunday I was able to observe several forms of Mothers Day gatherings.  Above is just one form.  I suppose no matter what type of special day it is, if it happens on the weekend especially, for some it’s always Guy’s Day in the wide world of women. 

 

How was your Mothers Day?  If you have children or your mother is still living, I hope it was honorable, loving, and life affirming as it should be.  Unfortunately, it seems more children are growing up without this goddess, or a father, or both.  I would have to believe the norm or ideal of children experiencing a balance perspective of the feminine & masculine sides of their life is suffering.

God help those as they seek to fill that hole.  And God help us as we live with more “grown-ups” living out their dysfunction among us – which might be most of us.  The new normal.

But I digress….how was your Mothers Day?

 

Previously:  Tournament House/Wrigley House

 

Gotta Help! Stay Thirsty My Friends

One Mother of a Day!

 

As you can see in the photo below, here in Pasadena it’s not gonna be one of those perfect weather days you’ve been to led to believe we have nearly everyday as you watch from afar, on your TV, our Tournament of Roses Parade or Bowl football game. You know – the perfect weather – with the snow capped San Gabriel mountains of the Angelus National Forest the crowning the Valley below.

 

Pasadena Photo Hall

 

Nope. The weather looks – and feels – threatening.   I’ve written before about our unpredictable weather.  We’re gonna have to hunker down to shield us from the elements of mother nature.  Sure, in this kinda weather you wanna be sure to protect the sick & elderly, the women & children, the hiker & retiree, but especially the most valuable member of your families (if you’re fortunate to have one) – the canines! 

If we’re lucky and brave to dare go outside, take an umbrella because this weather should still yield us some photo opportunities.  Nevertheless, my friends, I may not always stay inside during the weekend, but when I do, it’s on day like today.

It’s turning out to be one mother of a day!  Pray we all survive it.

 

Gotta Be Cool!  Stay Thirsty My Friends

P.C. History

 

With a backlog Pasadena centric articles, going back years and centuries, I probably shouldn’t be blogging about this (I know, I hear ya), but this is just further evidence that I’m not a writer.   Disciplined writing habits are unknown to me.  But the strength curiosity has over me, I know well.

The type of history usually written in these modern times by their modern woman (and man), is the PC variety.  But this canine doesn’t easily succumb to human weaknesses. I bark it as I see it – bark it as it is – to The People.  I’m not saying I’m the bravest dog in the room, but I could be the only dog in the room willing to bark.

 

So, lemme quickly remind y’all of some history – one of my favorite subjects:

 

I remember the 1996 AOL. For many, AOL was our first taste of surfing the brave new world of the internet. What about you?

I’m also aware of the new 2012 Microsoft Windows 8. 

I’m curious (there’s my problem again), how many of y’all use Win 8?  I don’t.  But my next computer will force me to make a decision on software operating systems (OS), besides hardware.

How does it compare to the Apple operating system (OS), or even the prior Windows 7 or Vista?  This new Microsoft OS supposedly is a big “improvement” over the prior version.  A history changer and challenge to Apple’s OS.  So some say.  If true, maybe Microsoft has learned from history.  For our sake, if not Microsoft’s, lettuce hope so!

Next article, I promise to get back to what’s most important – Pasadena. Hope to see y’all there.

 

On a previous episode:  Chanel for Wildlife Caretaker!

 

Gotta EAT! Stay Thirsty My Friends

Chanel Hason for Wildlife Caretaker

 

I was gonna post something yesterday, on a different subject, until I saw someone in the morning, who I first met on the internet a couple years back – the modern 21st century techno way of meeting people. 

Chanel Hason is her name. Local gal who grew up in South Pasadena, but now lives it up in Pasadena!  She studied marine biology and environmental science in college. I’m gonna explain what Chanel (like the perfume!) is currently up to & ask you to please do something relatively small and easy to help her in that regard.  I’m nothing much, if not a supporter of local people I know & like doing stuff I like.

 

 

WHO: Chanel  is a local gal: South Pasadena native, Pasadena resident. Blogger. Part of her philosophy is to “do what makes you happy”, and what I’m explaining here flows from that.

She is passionate about animals, the environment, ecotourism, blogging, photography, videography, being in front of the camera, conducting research, meeting new people & exploring new places, Australia, and the marine life & oceanography. Plus I know her to be simply enthusiastic, energetic & sincere!  And having traveled to Queensland, Australia for a year-long student exchange program in college only reinforced her desire for this jobs contest.

WHAT:  Chanel is competing in “The Best Jobs in the World”, a global competition involving six of Australia’s State Tourism Organizations – each offering their own unique best job as a prize.  Six jobs are up for grabs.  These jobs are Chief Funster, Outback Adventurer, Park Ranger, Wildlife Caretaker, Lifestyle Photographer and Taste Master.

After thousands of entrants from around the world, Chanel has made it into the shortlist of 25 for the Animal Caretaker position in South Australia!  On May 15th three (3) finalists will be selected for each job, at which point they will each be invited to Australia for final testing and interviews. On June 21st, the winners will be announced.

The contest is part of an international marketing push which focuses upon promoting tourism to Australia & tourism opportunities provided by Australia’s Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program. How each candidate markets themselves in this competition is part of deciding who the winners will be. The 6  ‘Best Jobs in the World’ each come with a six month salary package worth A$100,000 – including living costs.

WHY: Besides being a wonderful & enthusiastic person who I happen to know, we should support a local girl in this international competition. She’s a fellow blogger.  Knowing her as I do, I know this job fits her perfectly!  I think of her as a mermaid on land & lover of the water.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Show your support by doing at least just one of the following:

Facebook:  Chanel for Wildlife Caretaker  LIKE her page,. leave a comment why she should win, and/or Share it.

Blog:  Photography + Science = Chanel  Follow and/or share her blog, leave a comment why she should win the job.

Twitter: @Chanel   Tweet and retweet    with hashtags #ChanelWC   #BestJobs  @Australia Why Australia should pick Chanel.

If you need another reason, you can do a little extra and she’ll enter you in her contest for one of her supporters to win a FREE trip to Australia.

 

I leave you with a Q & A interview of Chanel by one of her good friends, Rachel:

Q: What animal do you consider the biggest “badass” of the Australian animal kingdom?
A: Well since Australia is the home to the most deadly animals on the planet, there’s an endless number of them I could chat about. But, I’ll go with the Irukandji Jellyfish! This tiny (no larger than a cubic centimeter) and extremely venomous jellyfish floats around off the coast of Australia..watch out!  (The rest of the interview on the blog, Passionate People Going Positive Places)

Time is of the essence. It’s getting down to the next cut down to the final three. So please act today! Thank y’all much for supporting one of our local gals.

 

 

Gotta Get Going! Stay Thirsty My Friends