Clogtown: Minnesota - All Are Welcome Here!

Man, it's been so nice - and such a relief! - to see little signs all over the Twin Cities about how everyone is welcome, everyone is accepted, that YOU are what makes our city and state great, and that here, we love our neighbors.

In recent days, there have been outrageous attacks by the joke of a President in office toward our Blue State's Senator, Ilhan Omar. I've never seen or heard or a sitting President being so classless and actually dangerous. It's disgusting, and Minnesota isn't having it.

Crowds came out to meet Omar at MSP Airport when she returned to town the other day, showing that we support her, and hate is not welcome here. I see little girls in full dress and hijabs playing in the sultry heat here, and know how very much it must mean to them to see this remarkable and brave woman representing them - and us all.

I read a quote from a woman the other day who said it was interesting (and sad) that "The Squad" of Democratic female Senators being told to "Go back where they came from" (disgusting racist speak) are considered "Radical Left", when they're just sticking up for what most developed countries already have. WE are the backwards country now. They are just trying to catch us up. Their ideas are not radical, they are humanist, and merely supporting basic human and civil rights (like health care, reproductive rights, and not putting kids in cages). It's time to grow the hell up as a nation. Well past time, in fact.

I'm proud of my home state of Minnesota for showing in yards, schools, businesses, bumper stickers, t-shirts, and by their own welcoming and "Minnesota Nice" conduct, that ALL are welcome here, as they are supposed to be in every part of this country.

SKOL! And TAKK!

Do What You Love!

I've had a gnarly week, with no time to do what I love - telling the great stories of Venice. Everything and pretty much everyone (except my Mom) has been frustrating and difficult to get answers from, and I had a real feeling of what the hell is the point of it all? Gnarly.

Then I was walking down Washington Boulevard to a meeting, and there on the side of the smashed in Van's store (a car ran into the building last weekend) was this great new mural by Ruben Rojas bringing me back into focus. DO WHAT YOU LOVE!

THAT is the point of it all. I needed that reminder, I guess, as signs always show up when you most need them. Nothing has really changed, other than my attitude, but that is always the best place to start.

Happy Weekend, All! I hope you get to do what you love.

You're Not Beer

I've been pretty busy this week with deadlines for stuff I'm working on, and didn't get much of a chance to be out and about as much in Venice (plus it's freezing!) to have its stories to tell, but this morning I had at least two things make me smile, so thought I'd share with you to wish you a happy weekend. I needed a breakfast burrito from Hinano, so cruised over there to procure it. The sign outside cracked me up:

"Stop trying to make everybody happy ... you're not beer!" Excellent (but you can still try!). Then I headed over to the Venice Farmer's Market after scarfing my burrito on the sand, and just look at these blue orchids the orchid guy had!

Impressive. Stunning. Beautiful. That, along with my favorite beverage in the world - Polito Farms blood orange juice - pretty much made my day. And I haven't even been to the first Art Crawl of the year yet! That's tonight, mostly on Abbot Kinney (try to ignore First Friday stuff), and I hope to see all of you lovely people there.

Cheers to beers!

Once In A While You Get Shown The Light ...

In keeping with yesterday's theme of Venice offering up the message you need when you need it ... today I was heading back from the Farmer's Market on a brisk but bright and sunny morning, and there it was. Another sign. This time on a fence, that caught my eye because of the happy little yellow flowers peeking out from underneath of it, like, "Look here!"

More truth. "Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right." Yes, you do. And a little "Scarlet Begonias" quote from the Grateful Dead is always fine. And right after I saw this yet another sign from the Universe, I had a meeting where some light was shown to a project of mine, from a source that I hadn't thought of at all. I hope I'm looking at it right, and that it all works out, but either way, it reinforced the notion that being shown the light often happens in unexpected ways, from unexpected - often surprising - sources. Especially if you're open to it - wide open.

Take this sidewalk wisdom with you as you launch into the weekend, and if you're also looking for some light on a subject, I sure hope you find it! Best of luck!

*A great place to find light - at least lightheartedness! - will be at tomorrow's Venice Mardi Gras celebration! We meet at the Rose Avenue parking lot at the Boardwalk at noon, and parade from there to party at Surfside. Hope to see you out there letting the good times roll!

Your Life Is Under Construction - Expect Delays

Man, there's been so many times where I've been walking around Venice and I see just what I need to see in that moment. There's been a lot of frustration and delays for me lately, and sometimes you have to wonder what you're even doing where you are ... and then you get a little encouragement from the streets/the Universe to hang in there. Your life is under construction at all times - and you should expect delays.

No matter what is going on in your life, negativity never helps, so the flip side of this utility box adorned by that prolific street artist, Wrdsmth, tells you that "I'm pretty positiveno good will come from focusing on the negative." - and that is exactly what I needed to hear right then. If you're dealing with some lameness at the moment (and who isn't?), I hope this little pep talk will help you too.

Thank you to Wrdsmth, and to Venice, for setting me straight, and for the good vibes that are always here if you are looking for them. Chins up!

Christmas In Dogtown

After the depressing sight of seeing a Starbucks open for business on our Venice Boardwalk, I needed a boost in my awful, disappointed mood. I got it when a few yards away I saw that some of the people that live on the beach had decorated the umbrella things for Christmas, with a sign that said "Christmas in Dogtown".

I loved that, because it shows that the Christmas spirit is felt by everyone, and also serves as a reminder of just exactly where we are. A place that has always moved to the beat of its own drum (circle). A place that is storied for it's artists, musicians, skaters, surfers, writers, and all of those unafraid to let their freak flags fly. Not a place that wants or needs a corporate chain like the ultimate slap in the face to Venice that a Starbucks on the Boardwalk is. Not a place that would support a Ben & Jerry's moving in RIGHT next door to Charly Temmel's. How insensitive and disrespectful to a long time Mom and Pop business can you be? No one that cares about Venice should be supporting ANY chain store within the city limits. People will argue their "change is inevitable" points, and I really don't care to hear them. People know in their hearts that this is wrong, and that Venice is Dogtown - and should be allowed to be one of the few originals left on this planet full of greed and corporate interests. We don't want to be like everyone else. That's why we're here. But for how long if places like this are allowed to ruin all local character? To run out all the local businesses? To make this legend of a place become just another anonymous mall in America. Gross.

Please think about it all - as well as your part in it - as we prepare to celebrate Christmas in Dogtown.

Fluent In Love

There seems to be a new street art person around town, and I saw a few different pieces today from "TrustyScribe" on my constitutional this morning. My favorite was about love ... and everyone could do with taking this dude's language course.

Then a way up the street on Abbot Kinney there was another one, that he might have slept on a little, but I still get it.

I didn't take a photo of the one by Blue Bottle Coffee because it was about depression, and no one needs to be reminded about depression right now. Then I looked them up and saw that Trusty Scribe's Instagram page talks about love and depression, and even offers a number for people to call if they're dealing with depression (#877-726-4727) ... which so many are these days.  No one is alone. And there is always love to be spoken.

Thanks, TrustyScribe!

Venice Says Vote!

It's November 6th. Voting Day. The Midterm Elections. Time to stand up and use your right to vote, your voice, your citizenship, your HEAD - and GO VOTE! It's shocking to me how many people don't use this one weapon we have against tyranny and oppression and sit on their hands and whine later. I have no time for it. I was out walking around town this morning, and was encouraged to see so many people with "I Voted" stickers on, and reminders for everyone to go vote everywhere you looked.

I'm also nervous that when everyone DOES go vote, that it won't count. One friend in Venice told me that they had no BALLOTS (!?!??!?!?!?!) at his polling place, and there no volunteers to even do anything about it. Then I saw a video of a polling place in Georgia where a gigantic line was waiting to vote ... but they didn't have any power cords to plug in the machines!!! This, in the year 2018, with so much technology you can call people from a watch phone ... but they can't get it together to run power to a machine. Or even have the ballots to vote on. Shocking. Disturbing. Disappointing. Criminal, actually, when these fools have known it was going to be Voting Day today for a good year. Inexcusable. A sign in the Canals to go VOTE made me feel a little better - but not much.

We encourage everyone to vote, but we can't guarantee that they'll be able to once they get to their janky, out of date polls - or that if they do get to successfully vote, that they won't count. That they'll be mysteriously thrown out. That they'll be switched in the machine for someone you'd never vote for. Whatever shady shenanigans the powers that be try to pull. We were talking yesterday about being fed up with it all and leaving the country ... but to where? At least here we still have the guise of freedom, the will of the People, and the American spirit that we were founded on - whether or not we've ever truly lived up to it (Our experiment in Democracy can really only be counted since everyone has had the right to vote, so the whole real deal is only like maybe 50 years old), or whether or not we'll ever truly get there.

But we still have the right to vote. And the freedom of speech to rat on the villains that would try to take that right away. And that superpower - the Power of the People. Use it today, and every day. And one more time ... VOTE!

 Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
MOTHER OF EXILES. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" 

- The New Colossus

No Planet B!

I'm back in Venice after a quick fall run to Minnesota (where it snowed on Sunday!), and it is HOT. I'm not mad at it at all, but some people are. Some people want to wear their sweaters and sit by a fire. I moved to a beach town to enjoy the beach, so I'm good ... but it IS unseasonably warm.

On my Venice Appreciation walk upon my return, I saw this sign on Venezia ... with among the other statements that I don't really get why (Free Candy?!  - kind of creepy. Wall Street?! - super creepy) the sign read "No Planet B". I've been talking about that a lot lately, like it doesn't really matter who is in the Supreme Court, who is the jackass President, who wins the midterm elections, etc ... if we're no longer able to sustain human LIFE on THIS planet. Of course, the Supreme Court, President, and winners of midterm elections have some say as to how we go about saving this planet, so it IS all important ... but I think we're losing sight of the massive problem that climate change is - and aren't really doing much about it.

Each of us can do our part to try to turn things around, but I fear we may already be past the tipping point. But I hope not. If nothing else, let it be a reminder to enjoy TODAY ... because it's really all we've got.

Live it up TODAY!

Where Is The Love?! Venice.

These are some crazy times, Man. Every day some new crazy thing/s happen to make you shake your damn head and wonder how we got here. Wonder what is wrong with people? Wonder where in the world is the LOVE anymore?! I'm thinking all that on my walk this morning, when I noticed that someone had done a little tag on a Canal bridge ... and then I zoomed in ...

Where is the love?!?! Right?!?! It's nice to know I'm not the only one wondering this - and what we can do about it. That was on my mind as I kept on trucking, and turned down Altair to head back. Well, THERE was some love! A cute little bungalow dweller put it right there in front, letting us all know that at least here, it's still Love Street. Phew.

Easing on down the road over to the French Market for my morning coffee, I saw that there was more big LOVE to be found, right there on Venice and Abbot Kinney. In rainbow colors and everything! So, the next time you think or hear the very important question of "Where is the love?", know that you can always find it in Venice. Better yet, you can always find it in your own heart to give, and in your own mind to receive.

Love you.

Spring Bulldozing!

There are different signs of Spring in Venice than there are in the rest of the country. Sure, there are the spring showers (God willing) and the resulting flower blossoms, there are the sudden influx of tourists on their Spring Breaks, people are wearing less clothes ... but above all, you know it's Springtime in Venice when the bulldozers roll in to get rid of the giant sand dunes built for winter protection - and sand sledding.

They're out there now, creating better views for the Spring and Summer, and letting us all know that the seasons are indeed changing. Another sure sign of Spring is the appearance of on-duty lifeguards, and they're out there right now too.

Ahhhh. Breathe it in, and maybe extend an invitation to your friends in Minnesota, New York, etc, to visit. They are all absolutely OVER Winter, as they look out their windows today to evermore snow. I'm kind of jealous, but then I had a glorious beach walk, and found that my grass was literally greener, and I got right over it. Spring is awesome, whatever the weather, wherever you are. Enjoy!

Aim High!

TGIF, man. Right? I was out this morning for a beach walk, and the sky was so impossibly blue I had to stop and just stare at it. When I glanced up, I saw that there is a whole slew of shoes on the power lines where Windward Avenue meets the Boardwalk ... like, a lot.

Back in the day you would hear that this meant there was a drug house nearby, or a gangster initiation had been completed, or what have you. I think it was really just the challenge of seeing if you could get the shoes over the lines, because they're pretty high.

Well, a whole bunch of people could, and there's basically a shoe store hanging above Venice right now. As I don't know what it really means, I'm taking it as a cool way to remind us all to aim high every day. And get out there and have yourselves an awesome weekend under these azure skies!

Venice Or Venaughty?

Everyone is racing around out there trying to get everything done in time for Christmas. The post office is crazy. Traffic is crazy. Moods are crazy. Families are crazy. Our government is certainly crazy. But in spite of all the craziness, there's a great feeling surrounding it all. Some might call it the Christmas Spirit. People are just a little bit nicer. A little bit cooler. A little bit more helpful. A little bit more fun. We're also all reflecting back on a year that was extra crazy, and thinking ahead to what will be next year. I already know it's going to be better, it just has to be. This reflection also begs the question ... were you Venice or Venaughty ... and what WILL you be next year?

I like to be balanced, so I suspect I will be a little bit of both (in a good naughty way). The world can really use us ALL being a whole lot nicer, so my hope for the new year is that everyone will fall far more over to the VeNICE side of things - no matter where you are. It's a state of mind, after all.

As we spread out all over the globe, please know that I wish a MERRY CHRISTMAS to one and all!

And the BEST New Year any of us has ever had!!!

Looking forward to sharing many yuletide tales upon my return back to VeNICE. Spread peace, good cheer, and have fun, Everyone!

Love, your Christmas Carol 

Find People On The Same Wavelength

The waves are big again today, and it was a beautiful morning out there watching the surfers catch actual air. On my way back, I saw this big sign on one of the Boardwalk shops reading, "Find people on the same wavelength." It's an ad, of course, for some business networking app, but the sentiment is exactly why I first moved to Venice.

I was living in Beverly Hills when I first moved to California, and though I had a great roommate in a great pad on a great street, I didn't really dig it. B.H. wasn't me at all. I'd find myself coming to Venice every weekend, both to soak up the beach atmosphere, art, and fun, but also to find a place - which I ultimately did, and was so happy! For two decades.

Venice people were on my same wavelength for sure. That's why it's so sad to see the recent influx of people that are mainly about greed and self-consumption doing their best to take over our bohemian lifestyle by the beach. My brother left Venice a few years ago, and as we were looking for parking the other night for dinner, he said, "I can't stand Venice. It's all douchebags now." Ugh. Gut punch. We know he's not correct about it being ALL douchebags, but he's got a point. That's why I continue to seek out and write about those who remain on my wavelength near the waves ... and pretend like the d-bags don't exist. Kind of like we do here in our Venice bubble anyway. I know many of you in my community of similar souls are still here ... and I thank you for it. As for the rest of you ... try OUR wavelength. Present day hippies are happier.

Go Fwd!

Sometimes in life you get little messages from just paying attention, and sometimes they're perfectly timed. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I feel like a lot of times things feel real hopeless lately. Two halves of the country are fighting with each other. A new natural disaster seems to happen almost every day ... to the point where my little 8 year old friend commented on how there sure does seem to be a lot of awful things happening in the world, "like storms and stuff." And he's right.  It can all feel like an awful lot, and never mind even bringing your own stuff into it all - which can also be a lot. So, when you catch a license plate telling you to "GO FWD", you stop. You think about it ...

... and off you go. Forward. Thanks, Landrover in Venice. I will. As we all will. To better days ahead. I just know it.

Gone Fishing! Time To Reflect ...

There is a lot to reflect on at the moment, both in my own life and on a global scale. In both cases, I don't really have any idea what's going on, which is both liberating and a little scary. I'm headed back home to Minnesota in a couple of hours to get back to the roots, to try and figure out where I'm supposed to be and what I'm supposed to be doing - and have an excellent birthday week with my lifelong friends and family!

On way my down to say peace out for a bit to the ocean while I trade it for the lakes, I saw this cool sign/mirror hanging on a wall, welcoming all to the beach. I took that as a sign that this truly is the time to self-reflect.

On my way back, I came upon a big scene at the Venice Library for the solar eclipse. The whole parking lot was full of Venetians hoping to get a glimpse of this extra-rare celestial experience. Everyone was sharing the special glasses, and freaking out equally, in a really good way. I got a little choked up, that people can still come together to view something special, and way, way bigger than us all, and any of our differences. That's the takeaway for me of the great 2017 Solar Eclipse ... Unity. We are all united under one great sky, and it's our job to do our best to take care of each other while we're here. And that's that.

I saw just a little bite out of the sun here in Venice, but it was enough for me to get the message. Now I'm off for a little Summer break ... hold it down here in the V for me until I get back, and know how very special this life is ... wherever you may be.

Unity!

People Matter More Than Things

Abbot Kinney Boulevard is all about buying things these days, and it's really kind of sad. The quirky character is virtually gone, and about the only good thing about it anymore (other than the originally cool businesses) is bumping into the people you know and love, though that happens less and less these days.

I was strolling the boulevard today just to see what places were already gone and what had replaced them, and saw a guy with little homemade cardboard signs set up that echoed precisely what I had been thinking. People matter more than things.

Let's all try to remember that, shall we? Globally.

We Mob Deep

I was back in Venice taking my morning stroll today, when I came upon this old painting of a lighthouse attached to a sign in front of the Pacific Resident Theater. Someone had tagged over it and written "We Mob Deep", and then bothered to hang it on a parking sign. I kind of love it.

And I love how well "Mob Deep" accurately describes Venice and its denizens that care about it. When you love a place like the people I'm talking about do, you take it seriously. You have each others' backs, which I'm finding out now more than ever. You fight for what's right, and defend against what is wrong. And we run mob deep.

Love you, Venice. Thank you.




*And RIP Prodigy from Mobb Deep.

Venice Is Not For Sale - Only It Is.

I was walking down the street this morning when I came upon this little tag on the sidewalk ... "Venice is not for sale". I have to figure it must be old ... because at this point in time, Venice is for sure for sale.

Not the SPIRIT of Venice, of course, but Venice property has been so pimped out and sold, it's nearly unrecognizable if you haven't been here in a while. It's so disheartening. For the first time since I moved here over 20 years ago, I'm thinking I'm not as sure that this is the place for me anymore. I mean, I LOVE VENICE, as everyone knows ... but what I love so much seems to be in ever increasing danger of disappearing completely.

The new people moving in don't get it at all. You can tell just by the things that they complain about that they have no idea what Venice was ever truly like. The fact that Adidas and Smashbox - massive chains that were never tolerated in this town - both just opened for business on Abbot Kinney. Thi should really tell you all you need to know. That Venice, like America itself, has been bought and sold to the highest bidders. It's disgusting, and sad, and I'm getting weary of the battle. I can't stand walking around listening to these entitled, self-centered jerks acting like they own the world, and thinking they can take over our little beach-side Community. It's heartbreaking.

The future is wide open, and it is what we make it. I have no idea what's next, but I'm no longer as sure that whatever happens will be in Venice. I'd hate to be one to throw in the towel on a place in the world that is downright sacred to me, but the greed sickens me on the daily.

It's true that those magical qualities that originally defined Venice cannot be bought and sold ... but you have to still be able to feel them to want to be here, and that's getting harder and harder every day.

We shall see.

Live And Learn

The phrase "Live and Learn" has been coming up a lot lately, so it was fitting that I saw it painted on Venice Boulevard by the C.A.V.E. Gallery, where its artist, Kid Acne, had his show Mark My Words open last Saturday.

I was unable to attend the opening, but I like that they brought the show outside on to the sidewalk for all to see, day or night. I've learned a lot in recent days ... like how crucial it is to pay attention to signs and flags. Like what friendships are true and supportive, and which are not. Like how you can try to be the very best person you know how to be, and sometimes it's still not enough. Like what is truly important in life, and what is and what isn't worth getting upset about. Like how karma has a way of sorting things out. And like how even though these are very trying times in the world - and in my own life - it's still so extra awesome to be alive!

Live and Learn ... all day, every day.

Mark My Words is on view at C.A.V.E. Gallery now through August 5th.

C.A.V.E. Gallery
55 Venice Boulevard
Venice