La Vida Yaya

  Danza Azteca Xocoyote at the Autry's iVivan Los Muertos! Photo by Abel Gutierrez It's that time of year when we pay tribute to our dearly departed and celebrate their lives. If you didn't grow up with the holiday and would like to learn more about it, now is your chance! There are many wonderful Day of the Dead events around town this year. So many organizations are putting on great celebrations and making this holiday THE Mexican holiday of the year. Forget about el Cinco de Drinko. That's just a Budweiser holiday about a battle that Mexico itself doesn't even celebrate. Mexican Independence is great, but I really despise the legions of vendors armed with single-servings ready to chuck them at you as you wait in a line 50-deep at these celebrations, or the heavy advertising for beer and cheese, much less the the large crowds clamoring for freebies or a turn at spinning a wheel to win a full-size bottle of Ajax. The enormous amount of corporate vendors dilute ...

Let me start by saying that I love nature. I yearn to be barefoot on the sand or strolling through cool, green grass covered in tiny wild flowers and buzzing bees. I still catch my breath when I see an elusive hummingbird fly by or at the first sight of a nervous butterfly. But if there's one thing that is driving me absolutely batty right now are all these friggen raccoons, possums, and stink-for-no-good-reason skunks. Yes, I live at the foot of a mountain but isn't there someplace more appetizing than under my duplex? And why do skunks have to make their presence known? Seriously. Come by and pick a few berries from this weird berry tree I have, but could you just for once, put the butt spray away? Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the fact that these critters come out at night, waddle about slowly, and don't make much noise other than the sound of claws scraping up the tree, and that one time they scared my mom when one fell from the palm tree making all sorts of leaf...

I decided to change the name of my blog. Since I am a Libra, it's hard to make a decision, but I decided that the previous title "Stuff I Like" was more of a cop-out from thinking about a new name, than a title with an opinion. I chose Lost Angeles because it's a city that will spin you around, push you to the side, and leave you face down when you least expect it. It's filled with people on the move, and they're all running late. One wrong turn, and  you're lost. You won't get there on time. You'll forget the way. You'll be redirected, off your path, by the city. Then one day, a miracle happens. You arrive on time, early in fact. And you're lost not knowing what to do with the free time. So you wait, and confusion sets in. Was it today? Where is everyone? Thank goodness for wifi and coffee. I spent three weeks away from LA this summer. I didn't look at the time. I didn't wear heels. I hardly pumped any gas. What was there to do? I...

Hello Los Angeles! I've been away for some time but am back with many story ideas in my head that I have to get posted for your reading enjoyment. I hope everyone had a great summer.