Saturday I was watching Book TV on C-Span 2, which only broadcasts on the week-end. Book TV that is. Non-fiction Authors guest speak at Universities, Book Fairs, and Book Stores around the Country.

Saturday, David Brooks discussed his Book, "On Paradise Drive". I just wanted to point out some interesting issues he brought up in his Book.

He stated first, of all that all these Suburbias are beginning to look the same, and you could be dropped anywhere in the US in the middle of a Suburbian Mall and would not know which City you were in. Every Mall has got their Chain Restaurants....Fuddruckers, Chili's, TGIF, Outback, etc. Then you have your Wal-Mart, Linens and Things, Bed Bath and Beyond, Home Depot, Office Depot, Target............and he went on, naming all the stores I have become familiar with that are cloned across this huge Country of ours. By the way he spoke about how our culture was so used to the Restaurant chains, that apparently, we wouldn't know 'real' good food if it stared us in the eye.

Middle Class Mom's were described as 'Uber-Moms' planning for their children's entrance to Harvard before they are even out of their diapers, it appears. He ranted on about how structured Children's lives are today, with regimented Play Dates, Soccer Practice, Dance and Tuba Lessons and so on. So that the Parent is eternally driving around in their monster SUV's to shuttle the kids all over.

He spoke awhile on this Suburb 'Culture', and mentioned that this "Cultural Diversity' thing is a crock. Mainly because 'like' people prefer to stick together. And you won't find a Black College Professor , a Hispanic White Collar worker and a a White Pro Golfer all living in the same neighborhood. The Cutural Divirsity, from what he believes, is 'Cultural Concentrate'. (my word--But that's what he means).

He also spoke a bit on the Polarization of Political Parties.....He even says it is affecting Washingtion. There is now something called "Civility Conference", that they have in DC, I guess once a year(?) They have Break-out Sessions and then Party at night. This 'Civility' apparently wasn't working that well...at least for some people. He found a woman standing out in the hallway after a Breakout session who had been reduced to tears, because of some Partisan crap thrown at her by an opposing Political person.

Maybe there wasn't much civility, but there was Hilarity. At night there was some Kareaoke Party where a bunch of Drunk Senators were singing Beach Boy Songs , and wearing Balloon Hats.

Brooks also brought up the fact that most people are loyal to a Party and would not necessairily vote just for a Person no matter what Party they represent. So most will never cross Party lines, and pretty much, will stay with the same Party for most of their life. We tend to go to Websites and News Channels that support and affirm who we are politically, enforcing the phrase, "You are really right, You are really right."

This can lead many of us to get things 'WRONG'. Because we are loyal and affiliate only with our Party, and read only what supports our theories, and reinforces our identity, we tend to nix everything else that does not fit in. As an example, about one half of the Democrats got it wrong when they said that Inflation rose during the Reagan Administration., which apparently is false.
And conversely The Republicans got it wrong when they said Inflation rose while Clinton was President. That is not accurate either.

I found his discussion about his Book very interesting. He was humorous and brought up all kinds of Suburbia Stuff, to make us laugh at ourselves, and he did get the audience to laugh frequently.

It goes without saying that, 'studies' like these are always generalizations. But I do believe that much of what he is saying is painfully true for many of us.

ok Guys............anyone out there who DOESN'T live in Suburb Land?

Living in a multi-cultural city has many advantages. It's not your 'same old, same old' atmosphere. There are many advantages for 'visiting' foreign lands without stepping out of the County. It does require some travel. You don't need a plane, of course, your ol' trusty roadster will get you there. However, considering that you are tooling around greater L.A., you have to consider the traffic. Therefore, no one will tell you the mileage between destinations because it's just a waste of time. You have to inform someone how LONG it will take to get there because of our monstrous traffic problems.

A couple of Sundays ago we went down to Gardena with some friends of ours to shop at the MARUKAI market. Gardena is a Japanese neighborhood with many Japanese stores and terrific Japanese Restaurants. While Akemi was shopping for food on the first floor, Nicholas showed us the teasures of the second floor.

We walked around looking at Japanese lanterns, Futons, Rice Paper Lamps(got one for my nightstand),Japanese dolls, Swords, Kimonos, Antiques, furniture, pajamas, children's clothes, fabric Kitty houses(got one for Sammie), and Parasols.(got one for myself). Parasol actually means 'against the sun'. Here in L.A. you will only find women in Korea town and in Hispanic neighborhoods who wear those things. But If a Caucasian woman wears one, she might appear strange. But considering the incidence of skin Cancer, I don't think it would be such a bad idea. There were handing them out at the Getty Museum, and I saw a young woman at the U.C.L.A LA Times Book Fair carry one. She said she got in Japan Town(downtown L.A). Anyway, I may not take it out in the street after all......might appear too strange. I sure wish that 19th century trend would come back, though. I think it's cool.

We were up there for a while, and finally went down to join Akemi before the market closed at 7:30. Her shopping cart was totally filled with all kinds of groceries. What seemed very different to me was the way the meat looked. It looked like the livestock it had come from, was raised in a totally different environment. All the meat was pinky red with absolutely no marbling. They must have special farms. It certainly didn't come from stockyards in the Mid- West.

After the market closed, we went to pick up Aiako and headed for Musha Restaurant in Gardena.

We were given perfumed hot towels before our food was served. Saved me a trip to the Restroom or opening up my little bottle of 'Zap Germs' gel I carry in my purse. I wish I could remember the names of the Appetizers. Every single one was a "I want another one" . They served us raw meat on a little Hibachi served and cooked at the table. The meat again, as I said, was very different looking and very delicious. Just as I had seen in the market. Possibly it was the 'real' Kobe beef, but I am not sure where that kind of cattle is raised. By the way this is not one of those chain Benihana Reataurants. This is a 'real' Japanese restaurant, as Nicholas informed Luigi and I.

I also was surprised about the Tofu. It tasted different and so much more delicious from what I buy at the Market. Aiako said it was because it was made 'fresh'. After so many 'entrees' and salads we were still ready for dessert.

At one point Nicholas showed us the Dessert Menu. There was a misspelling of the word Cream Brulee. It was written as Cream Buree. I think that is the way they pronounce it anyway. Nicholas was living in Japan for about five years and met Akemi there. Their weekly trip to Gardena from Santa Monica helps them to overcome their homesickness for the food with their trips to Marukai Market.

If you have been reading my Blog, you probably can tell I enjoy talking about my Food experiences. What can I say. I'm no Chef Extrodinaire, but I do love to eat. And my experiences as a former Flight Attendant gave me many opportunities for eating Foreign cuisine.

Our little trip to Gardena was a little bit of a nostaligic experience for me in my memories of traveling to Japan.

If you see a woman on the street in L.A., who is neither Asian nor Hispanic, with a little blue Parasol, it's probably me.

It has been a long week. One in which I could have done without. But in Life those are not the best attitudes to have. Despite the problems, everyday brought something that was either beneficial to my harrassed state, or brought enough glee or joy to the situation to render it kind of a salve for my soul.

In retrospect I wouldn't have traded that week for anything, because that is my life. My Mom told me, and I have read it somewhere, that a door always opens when another one closes.

Not to be secretive or anything, it was just a pile of occurrances that added on to my already full plate. On top of everything else my beautiful cat Sammie is dying of Cancer. It has been an uphill battle for several months now. What makes it so much more unbearable is that I just lost my other cat this past November.

I went to the Mall several times in the last two weeks. Part of it was Window Shopping, which I normally do every once in a while. I am not one of those 'shop til you drop' humans, who probably consider it some sort of Hobby. It's just not my thing. I finally did purchase some shoes and clothes, which ultimately made me feel a little better. But my infrequent shopping sprees also bring a bit of humor into Luigi's life, because of my 'Return Policy'. I usually return a good 50-75% of the merchandise I buy. Mainly because I figure I just can't afford to spend all that money. Luigi always laughs, and questions me, why in the world would I buy something, only to return it? This week I am looking over the 8 pairs of shoes I bought on sale and the few clothing items, and am debating which ones to return. It's going to happen, just not sure when, and which items.

The details of the Long Term Care Facility for Cats in my home is another story, and one I do not wish to discuss right now.

Well, I am looking, now, at my Credit Card and imagining all those credits I will see on my Statement next month.......that's sort of an upper, isn't it?

The Doctor's office called this afternoon to give Luigi the results of his blood tests. They know me because I go to the same Doctor. He was worried about his cholesterol and wanted to know if he could go off the prescription he had been given a month ago.

I told the Doctors's Assistant that I would give him the message as he wasn't home. But she explained to me the new Privacy laws would not permit her to give me the information and that she would have to give the results directly to Luigi.

Well, now, I find that quite interesting that whomever started this Initiative at the Grass Roots level, wanted to save us from all those evil people out there who could have acquired very private information from your Financial Institution, or your Doctor, or even your Attorney. Just real nasty stuff.

I've got news for you. If the IRS or the FBI or the CIA wants your information, there is no Privacy Law out there that can protect you.

Privacy is one thing. Letting your wife know about your Blood Tests is another. Now, there is no divulging of Family Medical information to any family members. How convienent. So I suppose if your Mom had an Illness or your Dad or Sister, they could not tell you a snippet of any of it.

Who writes these laws anyway??!! From the Grass Roots level, what source eventually manufactures them into legislation. They must add a lot of unnecessary garbage to please (or is it 'appease') all of the people all of the time.

People better stop to think, when they are approached at a market to sign an Initiative, to ask what the law will encompass. Yeah, I want to sign on the dotted line to save myself from any harm, interrogation, government nosiness, or anything else that might keep my life from being 'free'.

Privacy my ass. Identity theft is on the rise. But there is no privacy law on the Internet to save you. Every site I visit or sign up for information now, they'll always say "Hi Peach!". 'They' know who is on their website(at least by whatever name you have chosen). I wish I could find some way to hide my identity. That would be real 'Privacy'. But paranoia is not a just reason for the current 'Privacy' Law, that does absoulutely nothing but keep information from family members. But it allows Banks,credit card companies, and many Retail outfits to send you lengthy. technical information inserts inside your bills, printed in tiny Leprachaun print that you need a magnifying glass to read, just to inform you what the Privacy Law means. Tiny print like that ends up immediately in the nearest trash can.

Spare me the "protection" laws that try to save me.

A tribute to Ronald Reagan. I couldn't express it better myself as this Gentleman has.

Driving home the other day, I noticed something strange on the hood of my car. At first I thought it was a piece of sludge or muck that had attached itself to the very dirty surface that is screaming for a wash. Then I thought it was a trash artist who had a hurled a wad of sticky crap to my car when I wasn't looking.

When I took a closer look, I realized there were two diaphanous wings attached.
I got out of the car to investigate furthur, and discovered it was a Bee. But this was not an ordinary bee. It's genetic make-up got discombobulated somewhere down the line. Defective genes; that's what this is about.

It looked as though this (now dead) bee had deliberately divebombed, headfirst, into the hood of my car. In Bee World, did the Bee perceive that this was an Aircraft Carrier type of flower that he would have to destroy? I mean I cannot imagine what went on in that little Bee brain of his.

For those of you who are World War Two History challenged, I'll key you in. Suicide Bomber can also mean Kamikaze....you know, those Japanese Suicide Bombers who flew their planes into US Aircraft Carriers.

So there I was, driving around with a Bee Trophy attached to my car, and I having nothing to do with it's demise, as he had been a Suicide Bomber. What crazy insects do that to themselves? Huh?