Farewell, 2019! Moving Forward With 20/20 Vision ...

What a year. It's almost hard to believe we made it ... but we did. This is the longest I've not posted on Blogtown, and it's for very good reasons - mainly having to do with my Mom. What a year of learning. What a year of loving. What a year for realizing what is most important ... Time with loved ones.

I was taking an end of the year reflection walk, and noticed at the south end of Lake Bde Maka Ska (formerly Calhoun, and well past time to get over that) there is a new public art installation recognizing the area's Native American roots with sculpture and words. Dakota words that mean Perseverance. Generosity. Courage.

Of course I had to look them up, but once I did, I thought, Yep. That's what we all need, and that's what I want my new decade to be about. This past year has been a nightmare dealing with the American healthcare and insurance systems (scams), and has certainly required perseverance. And will continue to.

Friends and family have shown generosity in the most unexpected ways, making me want to be more generous myself, both with my time and anything else I can provide. Generosity is the only way I see our country moving at all forward, with income inequality, greed, and capitalism having nearly ruined everything good about this "Democracy". It's time to share, and to look out for each other, because with the climate crisis already ending certain ways of life, we are all going to have to chip in way more to help each other out. There is no choice.

Dealing with all of the above, as well as a zillion other issues, (like electing a less corrupt national leader {they all are to a degree in that racket}, and figuring out how to TRY to save our planet.), is going to take a lot of courage. That's one thing I'm not that worried about. Most people I know are brave enough to do what any dire situation takes ... and things ARE dire. But they're not without hope.

Beauty persists. In nature, and in our hearts. The holidays usually bring out the best in people, and I've seen a lot of grace both personally and in the news in recent days. People WANT to help. They know it makes you feel better inside. They know it makes the world better outside. We CAN make our world a happier place to be in for everyone, I just know it. It starts with ourselves, and I vow to carry the banners of perseverance, generosity, courage, as well as LOVE throughout the roaring decade of 20's we're about to kick off. On my honor.

It looks like I'll be in Minnesota longer, as there's no way I can leave my Mom when she needs me (we might end up going back and forth together, if possible, for the best of both worlds, but that remains to be seen). That alone has been very hard on me, as I haven't been away from the Ocean and Venice this long in 25 years, and that thing gives me my peace every morning. I can find peace in Minnesota in the woods and the lakes, but it's not the same to my heart. It's also hard to find work here, so if my L.A. people can throw me some gigs this upcoming year, or help me find a publisher for my Blogtown collection book - that could be some of your generosity (or a year end donation to @CJGronner on Venmo if you've loved a story this year!).  Thank you!

2019 - and the Teens in general - was super hard, but also super beautiful at times. I suppose that's like life every year, but this one seemed to be in the extreme. I'm heading into the new decade with gratitude above all, but also hope and some serious determination - to make things better for EVERYONE. Happy New Year 2020! Happy New Decade! True love to all until I can give it to you in person myself! X

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!

KRS-One Live At LA Live - Boogie Down!

Oh, man. Last night we got to see KRS-One (Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone) play the Novo Theater at L.A. Live in Downtown L.A. ... and it was awesome. Old school Hip Hop heads packed the place, but the crowd was really all ages. Youngsters are appreciating the rap pioneers, and it's good to see. Heavily male, my friend, Christina, in her blond ponytail and I were clearly the sore thumbs in the room, but we didn't care, and yelled our approval from right down front. It was even cooler that this hero even made the tickets only $5 USD! Anyone could go. Music for the People!

There were several openers, none of whom made much of their time aside from having people all over the stage filming them. The exception was Mike Xavier, who finally got the crowd into it, most all of whom refused to "Make some noise" until it was time for KRS-One. For good reason. The skill level was so starkly superior when the South Bronx legend took the stage, it was almost embarrassing, but hey - you gotta start somewhere. Backed up by B-Boys and B-Girls (!), KRS-One tore the place up, and the happy crowd's enthusiastic reactions confirmed that REAL Hip Hop and Rap is alive and very well, thank you. I mean, just look! BDP!

We had a blast, with strangers passing j's and shouting along to all the classic lyrics. KRS-One did a fun Hip Hop test, where he rapped O.G. lyrics from all the pioneers of the genre, and would stop and let the audience finish the phrase ... and nearly everyone passed. The music is extra great, of course, but you could also just sit and listen to KRS-One give his super-smart speeches, truly exemplifying the term "Spitting Knowledge". This cat (aka "The Teacha" - for good reason) is so wise, and ultra hip to all the hypocrisy in the world. He spoke to how Racism is in illusion, because Race is an illusion. That we are all one (like I also keep saying). That phones are government tracking devices, and he reminded everyone that when they type "LOL", to be sure to REALLY laugh out loud. To remember the humanity in us all. That "Hip" is your mind, and its knowledge, and "Hop" is the movement. Honestly, we could have just soaked up the wisdom all night, but we both had to work early, and get back to Venice before the big Lyft crowd made its exodus.

When we walked outside, we were bummed to see a dude being held on the ground by like four guards, as we'd just talked inside about how great it was that everyone was together in such harmony at a Rap show. It felt gross, and people were hurt, because stretchers were being called for. We got the hell out of there. Just as our Lyft driver pulled up next to the EMT's that had arrived, we spotted the street dog carts, and remembered that we still hadn't eaten. We bribed the driver to wait with the offer of his own dog, and placed our orders (*FYI - the hotdog carts now take credit cards!). All of a sudden, multiple LAPD cars and officers descended on the scene, and the hot dog cart ladies took off running, in a panicked cart race that might have been amusing, had it not been so serious to them. Yeah, they could get a ticket for being there and vending, but it was really more about these times and ICE. We were left not knowing what to do, as our driver already had his dog, we were waiting for ours, and hadn't yet paid the ladies. So we ran after them, and that's how we got the lowdown. Ugh.

It was a kind of surreal end to the night, and also illustrated things that KRS-One had just talked about. That this land we were enjoying a fresh hip hop show on was really Mexico, and we just took it from them. "There can't be a New Mexico, without Mexico. This IS Mexico!" And we watched terrified ladies take off running because they were scared they were going to be kicked out of their ancestors' former home. And be walled off away from here. As I said in yesterday's Blogtown post, echoing the poster at Venice & Abbot Kinney ... "Together we are stronger than any wall."

KRS-One knows this, and urged us all to get on board with that vibe, if we weren't already. The events that unfolded while the man was still performing only put exclamation points on the whole thing. Listen to this dude any chance you get. Stand together. Look out for each other, at all costs. And Boogie DOWN while you're at it. Like Emma Goldman said, "If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your Revolution." Good thing we can do both.

Life Is Tricky, Baby ... Stay In Your Magic

The last week or so has been a bit of holy hell, and when Mercury went direct the other day, you could hear the collective exhale of relief across the land. I don't even know hardly anything about all of that, but I things were fully sucking for weeks, and then someone told me that the Mercury b.s. was over, and things really have started looking up.

In the thick of it all, I was driving down Lincoln Boulevard and saw this mural, and was like, Yep. They're right. I'm making up my mind to be happy no matter what. Of course, this is easier said than done, but it really is mind over matter.

I'm seeing what people are awful, and what people are incredible friends. Difficult times are very good at sifting out who truly is the real deal in your life. The minute I changed my attitude and chose to focus on the good - even if minute to minute - things began to improve almost immediately. Today I saw this mural in front of what I'm sure will be another fancy shop on Abbot Kinney, but for now is some most excellent and timely advice ...

Life is tricky, Baby  ... Stay in your magic. Live a life you'd relive. Learn the Heart way. Trust. Love is the only superpower that can save us. You know, I can always count on the Universe to show me signs that every little thing is gonna be alright - especially if you stay in your magic. If you lead with love. If you let people in and let them know you'll be there for them too. We get by with a little help with our friends, and I give thanks eternal for those of you who are using those love superpowers for good. I love you. I appreciate you. I THANK YOU.

Thanks for the encouragement, Venice!

Happy Cinco de Mayo weekend, All!

Thoth Points The Way

Thoth is the Egyptian God of wisdom and magic. I came upon Robin Murez's version of him (Toth) in Windward Circle this morning and felt both of those things.

The wisdom of sometimes breaking rules and taking the opposite way, and of heading to the beach this last holiday weekend of Summer instead of anywhere else. The magic of lucking into another cool work by Venice Public Art, and another cool thing to see in Venice. The magic of concentrating on the good in Venice, and in the World, at a time when it's so very sorely needed.

Happy Holiday Weekend (and remember the Laborers who gave it to you!)! May it be safe, fun as hell, wise, and magical, wherever you may find yourself.

Street Wisdom

Literally. This little pointer is paved right onto the street in front of my new place.

I like it when people take the time to share what they think in interesting ways. I'm gonna go out and learn from my fellow man/woman right now! And then add to it ... And then ... PLAY! (I also like that the person in red writing did what was asked and added to it - making it even better).

Happy Friday!