Sweet Treats and Social Settings

There's always something to do in LA. Free is often the price tag. Here's a quick list of things to do. You can't say I didn't tell you.

Today is July 11 otherwise known as 7-11 They are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Slurpee on top of their usual freebie in honor of the day. There's sweet treats too so check out the link for all the details.


Tomorrow, Tuesday July 12, IHOP is celebrating there 58th birthday with 58 cent pancakes from 7-7. Find an IHOP near you with the link.

There's always a Museum offering a day free. Click the link to find one.

The following is a list of items from We Like LA some are free. If you click the link there's daily lists of events all about town.

• JUL 14: Sizzling Summer Nights Dance Series at The Autry
• JUL 14: Disappear Here Summer Concerts at The Hammer (free)
• JUL 16: Natural History Museum Adults-Only Sleepover
• JUL 16: Hello Kitty Cafe Food Truck Comes to Glendale
• JUL 19: Taste of Farmers Market
• JUL 22-24: 626 Night Market
• JUL 29-31: Delicious Little Tokyo
• JUL 30: Tiki Night at The Egyptian Theater
• JUL 30: The 45th Annual Malibu Arts Festival
• ALL JULY: Pop-Up Mini Golf Course Opening in Echo Park

The LACMA Music scene is alive and kicking. Check the link for the entire calendar.

Ryan Cross Jazz Eclectic with Special Guest Spanky Wilson

Fri Jul 15, 2016 | BP Grand Entrance | 6:00 PM

Melena and Ladies of Salsa

Sat Jul 16, 2016 | Hancock Park | 5:00 PM

iPalpiti Soloists & Duo Gurfinkel

Sun Jul 17, 2016 | Bing Theater | 6:00 PM

This Friday is DJ night at the Music Center. Check out the link DanceDTLA

Happy 4th of July

 We think of July 4, 1776, as a day that represents the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation. A date supposedly so important in American history has become an excuse to bargain shop, wear reproductions of the flag on every thing from hats to flip flops, eat barbecue, sun bathe and end the day with fireworks and apple pie. 

This year, as the food comas wear off, please remember that we have an extremely serious election ahead of us. Our freedoms as we know and love them are in grave jeopardy and unless we all make better choices for our future, This might have been the last best 4th for many moons to come.

And All Free to Do!

So I am always out and about in the city. I sometimes remember beforehand to tell people about what's going on but not always. Today I remembered that I have been asked for advanced warnings on events. You asked for it. You got it. The following will be a few links to keep you informed on your own as well as a few reviews of items I've done before that I think is worth it to explore. Enjoy!

Music, Dance and event links:

We Like LA 

Dance Downtown

LACMA



Reviews

Dance Downtown is a fun way to enjoy a Friday Night. If you live near the train then I would suggest taking it to the Music Center. The train runs late enough for you to go out til 2  and still get home.
Dance under the LA version of stars on the Music center plaza or in Grand Park. Every other Friday night is an actual instructor teaching a specific dance. So far there's been Bollywood and Line Dancing. Up next is Cumbia and Argentine Tango. On the Friday's without a specific lesson enjoy multiple DJ's who play a variety of music for you to get your body moving. Parking is free after a certain time but the sooner you go the better for space on the dance floor. Bring a picnic and enjoy yourself.

There's more music to be had at LACMA. This year they celebrate 25 years of Jazz at LACMA. Jazz is every Friday night at 6. There's Latin Music on Saturday's at 5 in the park and Sundays at 6 there's classical music in the Bing Theater. ALL FREE!!!! The museum is also Free after 3. Parking underneath is free after 7. That being said, the plaza fills up. There's limited space so early is best to find a great spot to plant yourself and enjoy the festivities. Bringing your own food is allowed.


This Week

Westwood is starting free movie Mondays tonight. Check out the We Like LA link for info on that. This Friday is DJ night at Dance Down Town. West LA College will be having fireworks for the 4th. The event is $5 per person and parking is $10. Take the Culver City 3 bus or shuttle in to avoid the massive line. Friday July 8 is Cumbia at Grand Park.


So Every other Monday I will try to keep you informed for the next couple of weeks. There's always something to do in LA. Go out and PLAY!!!

One Year, Six Months and Nineteen Days

When I saw the last published on date it took me by surprise. I knew that it had been a while but I couldn't believe that it had been this long. What have I been doing? How could I have neglected this part of my life for so long and not even realized? It's been one year, six months and nineteen days since last I had a Madnaloy Moment. All I can say is, fully living life leaves little time for observation and documentation.

Time management is an art. I think it is a never-ending craft that one hones but never completely masters. I had it all under control. I had a plan. I had topics aplenty. But time;Time is elusive. You think you've got it but then it disappears. Where does it go? I ask  myself this quite often and I still can't tell you.

Today I begin again. I have a new plan and yet another belief in my ability to simultaneously bring to life yet confine to print the realities which surround me. Despite all life's little follies, fancies and foibles, fully living life and realizing my true potential in multiple creative realms can hopefully finally flow through me. We shall see.

Where did this year go?

     People say it all the time, "Where did the year go?" but it is still a valid question. Today is the first day of the last month of 2014. This month will mark the last sequential date (12/13/14) for our lifetimes. The days are 24 hours long and yet the minutes move like quicksilver. I know November just started and yet here we are holidays at hand waiting 30 days away from another new year. How did we get here?

     At any rate, I am glad to be here to ask this question. I know in an instant 2015 will present itself. I am looking forward to the final flurry of days filled with friends and family, love and laughter happiness and harmony with a touch of the chaotic . Thanksgiving allowed me a chance to enjoy man of those I love all in one spot and was one of the best moments in time ever. I wish it could have lasted longer but the feelings it stirred stay with me.

     Be thankful for each moment no matter how fleeting it may be. Be happy with what you have as some would gladly trade lives with you and others are happier with far less. Our lives are long yet never as long as we need, want or hope it will be.

Tired

Do you ever feel just sick of it all? Do you have times when every tiny infraction seems like a felony offense and feels as if they are intentionally inflicted upon you? Sometimes the world really is too much with us but usually you aren't allowed the opportunity to silently slip into seclusion. I have to remember to be thankful for all the hassle as if it didn't exist then wheat is it I am doing? IF it is too quiet then maybe it is too mundane, too same 'ole, same 'ole, too nothing really matters at all. A brief moment, no matter how long it feels, of hassle means life has been lived and not existed. Not every moment is pleasant but oh when those bits of sunlight appear how rich and wonderful they feel. I am tired but this too shall pass. For now I must muster through. I hope you can too.

Small Smiles

It's amazing how a small event can change an entire day for positive or negative. This morning I had a positive moment that may seem so insignificant to someone else as to be not worthy of a mention but to me, it's made my day brighter. I have had a purple padlock for a number of years which has sat locked for all this time as I had forgotten the combination. I knew that I had it in here somewhere but where was the question that had no answer until moments ago.


I have been rearranging spaces and sorting through places that normally remain left alone in order to make room for 2 people's possessions. I have found pictures from the past and notes from me to me. I have found grocery lists and schedules and various trinkets. I have filed, trashed and rehashed them all in my mind and then without looking for it at all, there it was, the combination just sitting there. I tried it out and it worked. The lock that still looks new now has the opportunity to fulfill it's destiny. IT makes me happy that I didn't throw it out. I made the mistake once of giving up on finding something and just after discarding the item, the mare was found. Sometimes it's not an exercise in futility to hold out hope for something.


This morning happiness is three numbers on a small slip of paper that opened up a lock thought lost for ever. A small smile but an unexpected happy start to a much needed day off. A small smile can lead to a big smile and that to a laugh and the list goes on. Here's to the little things in life that should not be overlooked. Little things mean a lot.