9/11

Eight years later it still blows me away. I still remember turning on AOL and not believing what I saw that Tuesday morning. May all those who lost there lives then and those who have lost there lives since in Afghanistan and Iraq rest in peace. And may anyone that used that day as a platform for gross personal gain burn in hell. Or some place like it.

Blood Bath

Having left hockey for several years. That is having stopped following it. I have missed the excitement that it provided me. And although I am a San Jose Sharks fan,I could not help but feel nostalgic when watching this video. Beautifully synced to a Filter song it almost like it was choreographed. Check it out!

Today in Histroy

Well as many of you know Sunday was Columbus Day(observed on Monday). That is the day that we in the Western Hemisphere recognize Christopher Columbus's discovery of what is today called the Americas.


There is a lot to be said about good Ole Christoforo. For starters he is touted as a great sailor and explorer. He is the man that finally convinced someone of significance to back him in his trip "around" the world. He in fact was able to convince Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain that the world was indeed round and that it would be most lucrative to explore this alternative route to the East. Boy was he right about the lucrative part.Well I guess the whole round part too. I digress. The gold, silver and other natural resources of the Americas made Spain the richest country in the history and helped to insure Spain as the preeminent Super Power of the world. That would remain true for some three hundred years.

In that three hundred years and today, the influence of Spanish culture as instigated by Columbus's discovery and the subsequent colonization of the Americas can still be seen today all over the western hemisphere. And I am not talking about hidden artifacts buried under layers of dirt(although they do also exist). Spanish Cultural influence dominates most of the sovereign nations in the Americas and the Caribbean where Spanish is the official language. Even in the USA where the culture base is dominated by Northern European customs and where we speak English, one can see where Spain made it's mark. Many major U.S. cities have Spanish names from when the were part of the Spanish Empire. E.g. San Francisco, Las Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, El Paso, San Antonio, Colorado Springs, Sacramento, Santa Fe just to name a few.

However, pointing out Spain's influences as something positive should be left to the public school history books of the past century(do I detect a bit of irony). The truth of the matter when concerning Spain and specifically Columbus is that those influences came a great cost. Let's face it. Columbus was a tyrant. He was so eager to please his leaders, obtain power and line his personal coffers, that he set forth a precedent of slavery, genocide, and thievery that is arguably unrivaled to this day. He, (according to Howard Zinn) would mandate that the natives of Caribbean nations bring back gold and silver(which did not exist on their island in any significant amount) or he would chop off their hands. And he did. It wasn't until later that the Spanish discovered that all the true treasures lay on the continent. He enslaved them, took their land and destroyed their families and lives.

Today in our lives we look at the man, this tyrant and thief as a hero. We take the day off. Our public offices close their doors, and in some spots we celebrate with big parades. Sure, in recognition of who Columbus truly was, some groups have changed the name of the holiday to "Indigenous People's Day", but in reality, the people that benefit the most are NOT indigenous people at all. Now some of you may think that this whole Columbus thing is a bit played out. But I disagree. People need to understand their pasts so that when it comes for a change to the future, that we do not make the same horrible greed driven decisions of those in the past.

We could have learned so much from those that were destroyed, but now all we have is Club Med and a bullshit holiday.

Just my thoughts?

Today in Histroy

The Old Vote

In this day and age of political tumult it is good to know that even the very old are voting. KCBS reporter George Harris reports that Andrew Hatch celebrated his one hundred and tenth birthday in the big bad O on Monday.

Secret of California's Oldest Man: Wake Up Every Day

OAKLAND, Calif. (KCBS) -- Andrew Hatch was a bit surprised by all the media attention surrounding his birthday party in Oakland Monday. All the Louisiana native did was turn 110, and he had no great secrets to explain his longevity. Born on Oct. 7, 1898 in Louisiana, Mr. Hatch moved to Oakland in 1933 after living for a time in Houston, Texas. When KCBS reporter George Harris asked him the inevitable, all Mr. Hatch could say, “That’s a stupid question.” But anyone who’s spent time around him at the San Pablo Senior Residence knows they can expect to laugh. A lot. And Mr. Hatch did eventually concede that living a long life boiled down to a simple fact, he was able to get up everyday. With the assistance of a power chair, he still shops for himself, does his own laundry and votes in every election.

I would love to spend some time talking to that guy. I mean really. He has seen it all. Technologies that we take for granted came to fruition in his lifetime. The phone, the T.V., the radio, the car and nuclear power just to name a few. You name it. He was alive before most of this countries natural landscapes were for the most part untainted. Also, I am not sure but I believe this man sounded African American based on the interview that I heard on the radio. Which could mean that his grandparents might have been slaves or might have know people that were slaves. Purely speculation on my part, but I maintain that it would be fascinating to talk a few rounds with this guy. All the history within books cannot measure up to first hand experience. When it comes to making decisions, Andrew may have some wise advise. Happy Birthday Andrew Hatch

History Exposed

Lake Shasta reveals its past as water levels decrease. Being that my hobby is photography, I wish I could be up there to shoot the relics of achatecture and who knows what else. In this shot you can see the top of an old train trellis. Anyway, check out the article and pics. It's pretty neat. That's right I said "neat".

Made in America

Recently, NBA all-star and Golden State Warrior Baron Davis popped into the Yelp.com headquarters in San Francisco where he was interviewed by Yelp staffers Jeremy S. and Nish N. The interview was posted on the Yelp Blog. They talked with Davis about his favorite places to dine like Umbria, which happens to be one of my top picks and the status of his beard. Also, they briefly touched on his involvement in the upcoming documentary "Made in America". To what extent Davis is involved in the documentary is unclear, but what snared my attention (besides Umbria and beards) was that this documentary is directed by Stacy Peralta.

For those of you that don’t know, Peralta is an x- pro skateboarder turned director and is one of my favorite in the field. He has created stellar works including, " Riding Giants" an epic surf film and, "Dog Town and Z Boys" which is truly one of the best Documentaries I’ve ever seen. To me, what is so captivating about Peralta’s work is that he is able to bring the viewer to the place where it all went down, and make one feel like he or she was part of it all. Like you lived it. His ability to sew together photos, film segments and sound bites along with interviews creates a fluid and surreal depiction of the culture that is profiled. You can feel the excitement of change and innovation charging through your veins and buzzing in your head. You feel like it was you out there on a hot summer day in SO Cal ready to tear it up in the ocean or on the pavement.

Hot summer days in South Los Angeles are surly depicted in a different, more concerning light as Peralta attempts to highlight the half-century conflict between the Bloods and Crips in his new film. Personally, I am ready to delve into a ride chauffeured by Peralta that this time explores the depths of Gangsta culture and yet another aspect of Southern California life. Based on what I have seen in his previous choices and works, I am eager to see "Made In America". I truly believe that the gang culture in America is fascinating, and I think this documentary will not only prove cogent, but will help people understand West Coast America, history, race, drug and gun culture, and perhaps ways to improve our future.

I can’t wait to check it out!

Hat tip to Yelpers Jeremy S. and Nish N.

Shift Happens

Here is some interesting and perhaps scary info for you. Most of us probably have larger vocabularies than Shakespear. Go figure!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FqfunyCeU5g