Rest In Peace, Uncle Doug

My uncle Doug died. My middle name comes from him, my mom told me when I was a boy, and thus he became my favorite way back then simply because of that similarity. Apparently when his body was discovered he’d been dead for around three days. The last times I saw him in person was …

Here’s One Thing Armstrong Was Truthful About… Maybe

The night before the CicLAvia that took place in April 2011, I had heard that Lance Armstrong was coming to town specifically to participate. As such, I tweeted a reminder at him and was positively fanboy-floored when he immediately tweeted a confirmation back my way. But then again, given what we know now about his …

Next On A Very Special Episode of “Driveway Blockers”

In this Season Nine premiere of the never-ending dramedy we find our sleepy homeowner who has just pushed his trash cans out to the street early this cold morning for today’s pickup. In so doing he discovers a pearlescent green Honda Element SUV parked in too small a space at the curb by his garage …

The Big Chill: Icy Conditions This Morning In Silver Lake

My Charlie Brown Ninja figurine with KickYerButt action (don’t judge) proves it got cold enough at our Silver Lake-based domecile last night to freeze the surface of the “frog pond” solid enough to support his weight… until it didn’t. Fortunately I was able to resuscitate him after he fell in. And return to being totally …

Rest In Peace, Huell Howser

I’ve been in awe of Huell Howser since I first started watching his “Videolog” shows on KCET way back when dinosaurs like Payphoneasaurus and Eveningnewspaperus Rex still roamed the earth. In other words: a LONG time ago. Not only was I immediately impressed with the infectious, manchild-like enthusiasm and energy he brought to exploring so …

Racial Coventry In Our Own Backyard — Literally

I’m familiar enough with the history of this country to be aware of and repulsed by the prevalent use of racially restrictive covenants that prohibited property ownership and occupation — a completely legal practice that stood in place until it was overturned by the US Supreme Court in 1948. A restrictive covenant is basically a …