1 Week, 1 Photo, 1000 Words (2009.07.26)

Greetings from West Covina, California, USA!
Bulldog Decoration on Gate at West Covina High School on Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Class reunions are a long-standing tradition in American culture. Previously I recounted my experience at my 10-year reunion and now am looking forward to my 20-year one. In fact I joined the committee to plan the event. Last weekend we committed to a location, which is a huge relief but the overall experience to date has had several twists and turns.

First money is a big issue. With the global economic recession, we wanted to keep costs low and pass the savings to our classmates through lower prices on event tickets. To cut cost we did not use a reunion company but the committee would be on its own on researching and paying deposits for venue, musical entertainment, photographer, etc.

I have attended literally dozens of weddings but never planned one. Yet I boldly say that a class reunion can be very similar – hotel rooms, guest list, food, music, etc. An important rule: Find a location and then choose from its available dates. Before our committee had its first meeting in May, one member announced a date in June and then rescheduled it for October. To avoid confusing our classmates further, we stayed with the revised date but still needed a venue.

We set a deadline of 7/18 to commit on a location. In early June we had a frontrunner, the Embassy Suites in Brea. The hotel has an Egyptian theme and a central atrium capped by skylights seven stories up. I was impressed the moment that I entered but the final decision was made on our deadline day over a month later.

To give our classmates at least three months to plan ahead for the reunion, we had to launch our website by 7/25, just a week later. We also had a calendar of events – picnic, homecoming football game, post-game social and a hotel brunch in addition to the reunion party. One committee member and I made minor decisions non-stop – picnic at this park, post-game social at that restaurant bar – while creating the website, something that neither of us had done previously.

We used Yahoo Sitebuilder, a web building for dummies application. My past experience laying out a newsletter for a group also helped. While our four-page website won’t win any awards, I am proud of it. Plus we went live a day ahead of schedule. Whew!

Instead of looking for a job, I spent the week working – unpaid – on the reunion plans. I also went back to my school, West Covina High, to take photos of the campus. We would post them online to get classmates nostalgic and interested in the reunion events. My weekly photo is one of those shots. Incorporated into the framework of the campus’ front gate is the school mascot. GO BULLDOGS!

Angelo

1 Week, 1 Photo, 1000 Words (2009.07.19)

Greetings from Costa Mesa, California, USA!
Chair Lift Ride over the Orange County Fairgrounds on Sunday, July 19, 2009

My brother got a new car, an Acura TL, last month. After 8 years and endless trips to the auto body shop, his old car had one final crash and the insurance company declared it a total (wreck) as the cost of repairs exceeded its value. Meanwhile after 12 years and 200,000 miles, my Jeep has seen better days. Yet I remain strongly attached to it and intend to keep it when I eventually get another car. But I need a job, not only to earn money for the big buy but also pay for my current car’s maintenance and repairs.

This week I spent over $1500 on my Jeep. Initially I needed new tires. With wheel alignment and an oil & filter change, the cost was $425. I also had a random but frequent noise from the back of my car. The diagnosis was a worn-out rear differential. Even worse, it’s an uncommon repair so the part was expensive – some $850 and another $250 for labor. My bank account is bleeding. I need a job now.

I also need to escape from reality – and the heat – occasionally. The movie Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince opened this week. I have yet to read beyond the initial Sorcerer’s Stone but felt that major details in book 6 were cut from the 2-1/2 hour movie. Still it was a great blend of action, comedy and romance in an air-conditioned theatre.

With a friend I watched the movie on Friday in La Canada Flintridge then headed to downtown Pasadena afterwards. At One Colorado Courtyard I saw my second but unplanned movie of the day – a free screening of “Singin’ in the Rain”. While real rain would have been welcomed, I enjoyed watching the film classic in the cooler evening air.

A final salvo was a return to the OC Fair on Sunday. A friend and his son were going with their neighbors and I was invited to join. The neighbor’s relative worked in the fair’s carnival and got us free admission plus an unlimited rides pass. SWEET! Perhaps because of the recession, crowds were light and lines were short. SWEET again!

Apparently my invitation came with a caveat. I went with the kids on any ride needing an adult but their parents did not go on. I get motion sickness very easily. The worst was a covered, backward-spinning ride. I never caught its name but enough said about that. Second worst was a flying version of Disney’s Spinning Teacups. NOT sweet.

I much preferred the bumper cars (did that twice) and the water ride (three times). Another favorite is the chair lift over and across the fairgrounds. This week’s photo shows my friend, his son and the neighbors in the seats in front of me and the carnival before us. It’s quite similar to my very first weekly photo. Ah, the memories!

Angelo

1 Week, 1 Photo, 1000 Words (2009.07.12)

Greetings from Costa Mesa, California, USA!
Sand Sculpture at Main Entrance of Orange County Fair on Friday, July 10, 2009

The Orange County Fair began this week. It marks the two-year anniversary of a beginning and an ending – the start of this journal and the end of my last “permanent” job. I use the quotation marks because no one’s job is safe in this global recession. With two degrees – a bachelor’s in economics and a master’s in business – perhaps I should have foreseen this.

During a dinner conversation in 2006, I told a home-buying friend that in the next five year housing values would stop rising and even fall up to a conservative 20%. A few years later, the friend recalled our exchange, noting my foresight’s accuracy. In a mature industry like housing, the market has steady long-term growth with cycles of expansion and contraction. The last boom was so large in every way that the subsequent bust would have equally far-reaching ramifications.

Crude oil had a similar story. Prices fluctuate daily with trends both up and down. The mesmerizing climb to $150 per barrel was matched by the frightful freefall to $50 and less. I knew it would drop but it surpassed my guess on how low. Despite my educated assessments, I did not publicly caution people. Would have anyone listened? Greed had full control of the housing and oil situations and only time would reveal the complete set of consequences.

I did NOT foresee the rates of unemployment nor realize when losing my job that I would be among the first of millions. A common employment procedure is “last hired, first fired” but hopefully the reverse does not apply. I do not want to be among the last ones working again. The job search continues but I make time for more pleasant diversions.

The OC “Super” Fair with the theme “Think. Big.” once again offered free parking and admission for the initial hour of opening day on Friday. Two years ago a friend was caught in the fair’s first day traffic and ultimately gave up, turning around to drive back home. Despite my warning, another friend had a similar experience this year but she eventually got in, then we met up and enjoyed an afternoon watching performances and viewing exhibits like the sand sculpture in this week’s picture.

I entered the fair’s photo contest again but my sole submission did not pass preliminary judging. This year’s art gallery appeared smaller. Perhaps the judges were more selective or fewer people submitted shots or both. I saw some noteworthy pieces but overall was underwhelmed. I went to another event at the Great Park the following day and that too paled compared to previous ones like Snow Day and Halloween. Hopefully these lowlights are not the start of a downward trend. I have had enough of those.

Angelo

1 Week, 1 Photo, 1000 Words (2009.07.05)

Greetings from Anaheim, California, USA!

Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland on Tuesday, June 30, 2009

With many friends having babies this year, perhaps the Powers That Be asked the Grim Reaper to work overtime keeping our population in check. Morbid, I know. June was deadly. Entertainment industry alone lost David Carradine, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. This Wednesday veteran actor Karl Malden joined them. Though he died on July 1, I hope that Malden was a belated addition to an atypical ultra-gloomy June and Death takes a holiday soon.

I knew none of the recently deceased personally but the memoriams almost included a familiar face. In early June a friend had a stroke. Her carotid artery, a major blood vessel to the brain, had 90% blockage. Because she had trouble speaking, the stroke was detected and treated early. The friend is my age and highly active so I was stunned by the news. Extremely lucky, she made a full recovery, not even partial paralysis – a common side effect, and was quickly back on her feet.

In far lighter news, last week I moved again, sort of. Soon after emptying the final box and settling into my bedroom, I did a partial repack and temporarily relocated to the guest bedroom downstairs. Last month my dad began replacing the carpet with bamboo slats in most of our house’s second floor. Only the closets and bathrooms stayed untouched.

The situation had a silver (or is it blue?) lining. With furniture out of the way and carpeting on its way out, the timing was perfect to paint over 20 years of wear and tear. The bedroom was ready for a new coat and a new color. According to my Frazee Paint flipbook, my walls were bright “Robin”, as in the bird’s blue-green egg, that matched the window blinds. I narrowed my choice to two blues – Tropical Wind and Surf’s Up.

The home improvement store stocked Behr Paint and could not guarantee an exact match to the Frazee color. Ultimately I chose Tropical Wind but once it was on the walls and dry, the paint leaned towards Surf’s Up, as the two were only a shade different. I am content with the new blue hue.

On Independence Day weekend I settled into my room again and did not watch fireworks on Fourth of July evening. Instead I saw those four days sooner at Disneyland, the home of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, this week’s photo. Amidst the home renovations I took a break and used my bonus pass from Disney’s birthday offer of free park admission.

From staring down death and celebrating a nation’s birth to creating a sleeping sanctuary and enjoying the “Happiest Place on Earth”, some moments of life we must do and others we choose to do. Relaxing in my blue bedroom right now is my choice. Surf’s up, dude!

Angelo

Photo of the Week (June 28, 2009)

Greetings from Brea, California, USA!
Photo taken on Thursday, June 25, 2009.

Last January I mentioned three babies born within three days. The first two arrived the same day and the third came two days later. Later I jokingly predicted three weddings and three funerals in the months to come. In an eerie mirroring to the trio of births, this week had a trio of deaths also within three days. Ed McMahon died on Tuesday, Farrah Fawcett followed on Thursday morning and Michael Jackson made his exit that afternoon.

McMahon lived long and well. His death simply provided the finish to his illustrious life story. Fawcett had her life shortened by terminal cancer. With early awareness of her illness, we accepted her passing more readily, a fortunate happenstance as media focus quickly shifted when Jackson died mere hours later. His life was already a constant source for tabloids and his sudden death guaranteed more dirt for these muckrakers.

A master of ceremony, McMahon was sidekick to Johnny Carson on television’s Tonight Show but also had solo success hosting talent competition Star Search. A poster and a hairstyle furthered her fame but Fawcett will be first, foremost and forevermore a Charlie’s Angel as an original member of that ethereal TV series. A singer without equal, Jackson was a music video visionary – Thriller is a crown jewel – and drew attention to fledgling cable channel Music Television, MTV, which is eternally indebted to him.

All three were entertainers and television was central to their successes. The similarities originally stopped there. Ed, Farrah and Michael had very different lives, talents and deaths. But the close timing of their passings created an unlikely third shared thread for an equally unlikely trio. Nonetheless they will be remembered because of their individual endeavors, not their group departure. May these souls endure in the hereafter.

Finally end of June was also end of gloom. The month started with rain, thunder and lightning. By mid-month overcast remained thicker and lasted longer than normal. But the last days of the month are also the first days of summer, bringing clear skies from dawn to dusk and beyond. This week’s photo is of Brea Mall’s skylights glowing warm and white. Coincidentally I took it on Thursday after Fawcett and Jackson both left the mortal plain. Perhaps this was a heavenly homing beacon. I choose to believe it was.

Angelo

Photo of the Week (June 21, 2009)

Greetings from Irvine, California, USA!
Photo taken on Tuesday, June 9, 2009.

I always find the third week of June eventful. In addition to Father’s Day, it includes my dad’s birthday and my parents’ wedding anniversary. While I need not do anything for the last occasion, the other two are another story. If the hi-tech world is symbolized by the all-in-one iPhone – a convergence of web browser, camera, media player and more – then my father is content with a rotary telephone. Thinking simply, I gave him a dvd and card for his birthday and Father’s Day, respectively.

But if he was asked what his favorite gift was this year, his response may be something not received personally – the Los Angeles Lakers winning professional basketball’s NBA Championship title last week. My dad avidly watched the team during their 1980s’ heyday. Following a lackluster 1990s, the Lakers entered the 2000s with three straight championships. Perhaps they will repeat the “three-peat”, transitioning into the next decade with another trio of consecutive titles. It would be nice and only time will tell.

This Wednesday the Lakers had a victory parade & rally. I did not expect seeing my retired dad head to Los Angeles and partake in the event but at least he would watch the telecast. Instead he was on the golf course with friends, playing their weekly game. Meanwhile I saw the televised procession. It moved down Figueroa Street, starting at the Staples Center, the team’s home, and finishing at the Los Angeles Coliseum with a rally and a presentation of the team past and present.

If only my job search had a victory. After an interview I mentally replay and self-evaluate the meeting. I had another one on Friday. My assessment was “unimpressive” and a follow-up/thank you note would not do much to improve it. My search continues. Before moving on, I proffer this: I often find myself working in one county and living in another. Doing both in the same one is always short-lived. This latest job lead was in Orange County and I live again in Los Angeles County. Hello, irony.

Plenty happened this week but I took just two photos and neither one is worth including. I must break my own rules again and select a shot from the previous week instead. At a UC Irvine event last June, I toured a building in an early construction stage. A year later I toured again the same structure, nearly complete. This week’s photo, the skyline of neighboring city Costa Mesa, was taken on its “sixth floor” – actually the rooftop. Great view and cool experience.

On the roof I could have shouted a Titanic “I’m King of the World!” atop an air vent, recording and sending it via my iPhone wannabe to my dad. But he has a rotary telephone. Irony, we meet again.

Angelo

Photo of the Week (June 14, 2009)

Greetings from West Covina, California, USA!
Photo taken on Saturday, June 13, 2009.

This year baby rattles have replaced wedding bells. Almost halfway through 2009 I have yet to receive a single invitation to a couple’s nuptials. Instead I have attended two baby showers as well as a funeral. Before delving into the births, I reflect on the wedding stats.

In twelve years (1997-2008) I have received twenty-four invitations, averaging two annually, although both 2005 & 2007 had three apiece, making up for 2002, which had zero. Some friends did not invite me to their weddings, a blessing in disguise, as my count would have likely doubled. Also my wallet would not have handled the additional flights, hotels and gifts. In fact I did not attend three weddings – the first in Australia, another in San Francisco, the last in New York City – due to travel costs.

While doing the math would result in 21 weddings attended, the more accurate answer is 20 ceremonies and 22 receptions. Typically the two activities go together. But one couple had a small private ceremony, then a larger reception/celebration two months later. Also the couple that wed in New York City held a second reception in Napa Valley for West Coast guests who missed the East Coast event. The remaining weddings were mostly SoCal affairs while a handful was in Northern California and one was in Mexico.

I remain in touch with 21 of the 24 couples, although divorce has split two pairings, a great ratio compared to the United States’ 50% divorce rate. Additionally both ex-husbands have each remarried and I attended the wedding for one just last year. Only time will tell how all these marriages will fare and if my wedding lull is a temporary situation or the end of a 12-year trend.

As the doves rest, the storks work overtime. For the 19 couples who are still married and in touch with me, 11 of them have become moms and dads to a combined 20 children – 3 born since January – while another two couples will become parents by December, both adding one each for a total of 5 in 2002 and 22 overall. Yet I know other couples expecting that will easily bring the year’s total into the double digits.

At my second baby shower of the year, I steered clear of the contests except for one – designing a diaper with toilet paper. Modeled on a teammate’s young son, our creation lost. The contest of guessing the “dirty” diaper contents had a six-way tie. These people really knew crap. Pun intended. The week’s photo shows the tiebreaker – drinking from a baby bottle. From the sidelines, I happily watched and drank from a beer bottle. Baby shower, bridal shower, wedding, whatever. Here is a toast to them all. Bottoms Up!

Angelo